Which battery is the main.

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Dec 24, 2009 | 03:29 PM

PAVEMENTMAN

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Which battery is the main.

Sorry about so many questions but i am a little new to the diesel world. Which battery is the main one, Drivers side or passenger.

Dec 24, 2009 | 03:34 PM

Hussler

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From: Medford Oregon

Both are, they work together and are connected in parallel, like one huge battery.

Dec 24, 2009 | 03:49 PM

fishmanndotcom

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From: Senoia, GA

what hussler said, they are connected in parallel and thus retaining the same voltage but doubling the amp hours (assuming they are the same amp hours). however it seems most of the connections are run off of the pass side battery and therefore making that batt the 'main' one. however, these connections could be transferred to the drivers side battery.

-cutts-

Dec 24, 2009 | 04:00 PM

Hussler

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Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom

Well stated, and a good point.

Dec 24, 2009 | 04:03 PM

yoslick

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From: NW Wisc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hussler

Both are, they work together and are connected in parallel, like one huge battery.

+1 what he said

Dec 24, 2009 | 04:14 PM

PAVEMENTMAN

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So which one would i hook my battery tender to for the winter.

Dec 24, 2009 | 04:17 PM

Action4478

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Either one ....

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Dec 25, 2009 | 07:51 AM

etldak

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From: HAMPTON

You should all was use jumper cables,and run big draw accessories off the passenger side battery.because the (main battery) is the passenger side.the flow of current flow on theses starts at the pass. side.the driver side gives the battery more run time. the charging system has to go though the right side batt to get to the left side.witch is more wire more resistance

Dec 25, 2009 | 08:33 AM

#10

wycowboy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by etldak

Just a quick question on that. It should not mater which one you hook the cables to . since the resistance in going to be the same. since both batteries will drian at the same rate so the current has to flow through the longer wire either way.? right?

Dec 25, 2009 | 10:47 AM

#11

madpogue

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From: Madison, WI

The owner's manual states that you should always hook jumper cables to the passenger-side battery. I presume, though, that that's a shorter path to the starter, which isn't really relevant with a trickle charger. I _have_ heard that, generally, it's not good to charge batteries in parallel, but a slow trickle charge may be okay. 'Course, the alternator is charging the two in parallel all the live-long day.

Dec 25, 2009 | 12:38 PM

#12

kawa

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From: Rogue River, OR

I have an "On Board" trickle charger and it it permanently connected to the drivers' side battery. Has been for over a year and keeps both batteries topped off. No problems.

Rog

Dec 25, 2009 | 01:51 PM

#13

rideracelivemx7

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well when i had my truck the passenger side batter was a little stronger and when just the driver side was hooked up it would just click, being only 12.3 volts and the other battery was 13.6 volts. if i used the other side, jsut that battery alone would start the truck, so even thoe the other batter was only a little weaker it would only click.

Dec 25, 2009 | 06:47 PM

#14

madpogue

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From: Madison, WI

^^^^^ That's a perfect example of the weaker battery "taking down" the stronger one. And it's a good illustration of why you should always maintain them in pairs.