Additional Battery
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: McMinnville
Additional Battery
Does anyone have any experience installing a second battery in a 99 Expedition? I am debating installing a smaller battery (not for starting) up around the spare tire area. I would not use this for starting - only running accessories, of course it would be charged by the alternator on board while charging the other battery. I have a AC/DC converter, radar detector, gps, CB and anything else I install.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I would get a larger alternator and get just one high quality battery. A radar detector, gps, cell chargers and CB radios don't draw that much current. The only thing that would draw a lot that you have listed is the power inverter and the amount of juice that draws depends on the load connected to it. How big is the inverter?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 3
From: McMinnville
It's only 400watts, but I was thinking the battery would be cheaper. What type of alternator would you suggest? I have heard of them but I don't know much about it. I do have an Optima Gel battery. Another reason is I would like to some sort of backup in the event my primary battery goes dead. I have a habit of just chilling in the Xpy with the heater on (plugged in) without worrying about putting the wear and tear on all the other parts of the Xpy by letting it idle.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I have a 400watt inverter in my Explorer with the stock 95amp alternator and it does just fine. This summer I was using the stereo in the truck all day and charging cordless drill batteries and never had a dead battery. I would be hesitant about adding a second battery because your alternator is going to have to work harder to charge the auxillary battery in addition to the regular battery. You would need to install a cutoff to seperate the aux from the primary battery.
Check your local parts store and do a little research on google for high amp alternators as I think this is going to be your best bet. A simple volt meter will tell you when your battery is getting discharged and then its time to start the truck.
Check your local parts store and do a little research on google for high amp alternators as I think this is going to be your best bet. A simple volt meter will tell you when your battery is getting discharged and then its time to start the truck.
