Second Battery
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Second Battery
So we are getting our truck ready for our drive up to Burning Man (for those that do not remember the story). It's a '78 F250 with some major body modifcations. It's got no roof, no doors, sides and the bed has been hacked. A second story structure has been welded to the frame over the bed (and the bigger axle) to carry more people. Yes, we are going to drive it like that.
The vehicle will be covered in LEDs and ELwire, lit up like crazy at night, pumping tunes from a 300W amp as well. So, we bought a higher output alternator and put it in. My friend got a second battery as well. Do you think it is wise to hook up the second battery? The feeling is that with all of the lights going we might be exceeding our alternator output (I calculated it, it's close). With a second battery though, we can charge up both of them during the day (when the lights are off) and let both batteries drain slightly during our night driving. Hopefully, though, enough charge will be retained to start up fine the next day. Is this a sound idea? Or should I not worry about a second battery. Thanks for any advice.
The vehicle will be covered in LEDs and ELwire, lit up like crazy at night, pumping tunes from a 300W amp as well. So, we bought a higher output alternator and put it in. My friend got a second battery as well. Do you think it is wise to hook up the second battery? The feeling is that with all of the lights going we might be exceeding our alternator output (I calculated it, it's close). With a second battery though, we can charge up both of them during the day (when the lights are off) and let both batteries drain slightly during our night driving. Hopefully, though, enough charge will be retained to start up fine the next day. Is this a sound idea? Or should I not worry about a second battery. Thanks for any advice.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
If you run a deep cycle AUX battery for the lighting and the main battery (also with a constant charge) for the stereo...you should be fine.
With a battery isolator the charging system will continue to send a charge to both batteries while they are being used.
With a battery isolator the charging system will continue to send a charge to both batteries while they are being used.
