When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
what would it take to install a 2nd battery in my truck, while maintaining a 12 volt system? I've seen the dual battery in cube vans and larger vehicles.
I would like extra juice for cold winter starts, and powering a winch.
You have at least two options, one is cheap and fairly easy to do: Install a 3 position (on-off-on) switch that switches from jump, isolated, normal using a solenoid. Basically its just a switch that jumps the first battery using the second when you hit the switch and otherwise is just the one battery by itself.
The second setup cost a bit more but is more automatic. Most parts stores have a battery isolator starting in the $40 range. On advantage of these is that it's supposed to keep both batteries charged. I've been told that there is a problem keeping both batteries charged in a dual battery system without some automatic isolator. Painless wiring has some systems for this, but they are pricey.
I'd make sure that whatever setup you go with, that you have the option to have both batteries connected for starting. The manual setup requires that you hit the switch to get both but the down side is that I think you have to hit the switch from time to time to charge the second battery.
I've also heard that it's better to get two of the same size batteries but I don't know if this is true.
Go to your local boat parts store (West Marine, Boating USA, etc.) and check out the #1/#2/Both/Off battery switches. Dual battery systems have been used on boats since Noah.
Good Luck