I have a 94 f150 truck with the inline 6 and i have a couple of subwoofers that dimms all my lghts and stuff. I ruined my previous battery and iam now in the process of buying a new one. Im going to upgrade to an optima but i was wondering because i have access to a second battery, should i wire both into the truck. What would be the side effects if any of running two batteries? ANd does anyone know the easiest way to do this?

 

It sounds like you need a bigger alternator.. buying a new battery won't solve your issues if you drain it too quick for the alternator to compensate.

 

Put a capacitor in your sound system for voltage support that will stop the lights from dimming when the subs hit. I don't know that much about sound systems but I do know that the Optima red top is one hell of a battery. As said above you also probably need a bigger alt.

 

i actually know quiet a bit about sound systems and so i have a capacitor already installed but i saw on the summit racing website that they sell a wiring harness for a second batter installation. And it can be connected or disconnected with a switch adn if your batter ever dies you can switch on the second one and jump start yourself. But i was wondering why they had it on a switch, does itaffect anything for the truck to be rnning on two batteries?

 

from my limited electrical knowledge, everything basically "runs" of the battery, but the battery is constantly being topped off by the alternator. if the alternator's not outputting enough, your lights dim. solved by more rpms or more alternator output. 2 batteries might make your lights dim less (maybe), but i think the alternator is still your answer

 

I have an optima redtop.. and for those inquiring minds.. I'm on my third. I've gotten two ill ones.

 

Wow, im about to buy an optima and i hope i dont get one that is bad cause their expensive. Does anyone know what amps the stock alternator on an inline 6 has?

 

autozone is guessing either a 75 or 80. no idea what would be enough. i think mine had a 90 in it. they also had a 130 option.

 

You can't easily hook up two batteries at the same time due to higher voltage than the system is designed for.

4 wheelers and other high electric output users generally, when they use two batteries do so, with the switch method you described. That way you can switch to charge one or the other battery and still have a reserve to jump start and/or to run a compressor or lights longer.

You cannot hook up two batteries at the same time, diesels do, they run 24 volts! Two batteries at the same time is 24 volts not 12. Now I am not saying you can't because there are ways to do it (parallel), but it is more beneficial to just install an aftermarket alternator. I can't remember the full name but something big green makes a good one. They are really popular with 4wheelers and were designed for ambulances or so I hear. There are also some other alternators, I don't remember the name but they have high output designed to run special welders designed for this purpose so you can fix on the trail. There are lots of aftermarket alternators available.

I don't think in your present case even with a capacitor that your alternator will be able to keep up. The inline-6 is not a high-revving engine and so you aren't generating as much current as the car is drawing, raising the rpm on the 6 won't do any good except shorten its life.


Either way aftermarket higher amp alternators would/should be more than enough power for you. If you are dimming or were to dim the lights with the aftermarket high output alternators than you have probably broken all welds in your truck and your ear drums LOL

 

I have heard of some red tops that didn't last to long but were under warranty. Mine has been in my Jap Jeep for years with no signs of slowing down.

As for installing two batteries in your rig you just hook them in parallel (+ to + and - to -) and then to the starter the same as one battery. You will still need a bigger alt. though, two batteries will only delay the inevitable. The alt. needs to be able to handle the electrical load of the vehicle

 

Duel batteries will only make 24 volts if they are hooked in series. When hooked in parallel they still only have 12 volts but add in their amp rating. Diesel pick ups are 12 volts they only use two batteries because they need more cranking amps for the diesel engine. There are many vehicles with duel batteries and 12 volts. One common application for this is vehicles running winches. Because the alt. can't put out enough to run the winch the extra batt. helps to extend winch time.

 

Ok thanks alot!!! I think i do need a bigger alternator! But the optima is a must cause my current battery has been declared "bad".

 

LOL!! no problem. On a good note: I think you can get a bigger alt for your truck by getting one for the make and model of your truck but with all the goodies. (AC, power everything etc.) It should be a higher amp unit.

Out of curiosity, do you no how much a big sound system draws on average? Just wondering because my son wiped out his alternator with a bumping system.

 

Sorry guys didn't mean to imply all diesels are 24volt. The u.s. uses alot of 12v for our diesels except some industrial, marine, and an occacional semi. Europe, the military and most militaries of the world use alot 24 volt or sometimes more.

Here is a list a buddy of mine compiled:

24volt
Most European and Japanese heavy trucks.
Many Japanese small trucks and 4X4s.
Most off highway earthmoving machines, cranes etc.
Most military vehicles in military version, ie civvy Humvee is 12 ditto for landrovers etc.
Most large marine engines.
Rail engines.
Some large self contained agriculture equiment,eg combines.

12volt
Light cars and trucks.
Most agriculture equipment, tractors etc.
Onroad USA trucks (They may have many batteries but run them so they are all hooke up + to + and - to - so its 12 v)
Some vehicles used to have a 24v start 12v run system. This system used a series parallel switch to link the two 12v batteries in series for 24v starting, and in parallel to give 12v for normal running. (These are the ones i am used to Oldies but goodies.


I guess the bigger question you guys mabye can help with , is I have heard while running in a parallel with two 12v batteries it won't charge right and vehicle manufacterers don't recommend it, that is why they make the switch to charge and use one or use one while charging the other.

P.S. I have only used the series hookups on boats where charging doesn't always matter......you charge them regardless when you get home for a couple of hours and then stick them on a float charger so I am not sure if the above statement is correct.

P.S.S. A float charger greatly increases the life of the battery sitting for extended periods. Except Lithium Ion.

 

An awsome battery dealer is none other then WAL-MART . 3 year FREE REPLACEMENT.
Granted I've taken 2 back in five years , but I never got any flack.
Heck they never even tested them (allthough I had them tested at Auto-zone).

Just photo copy the recipt cause the original carbon copy fades.

I also run high amp draw in my truck, 3 amplafiers (totaling 3300 watts), laptop, KC reverse lights, additional exterior HD lights (front and rear), camper interior lights, and pull a 18' trailer.

I haven't upgraded my alternator yet . so I switch most of these componets on and off, reserving a charge time for the battery alone.
alittle heck-tic at times but it works.
Tonka baby....LOL