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Churnd · 10-01-2003, 10:26 PM

Ok, I know dual batteries have been discussed here a thousand times. I've been searching all night but not really finding what I need. I'm planning on running another battery along with my Everstart Maxx from WalMart. The extra battery is probably going to be an Optima Marine.

I have a pretty good idea of how I'm going to wire it up also. I'll probably order an isolator kit or make up my own. Basically, the kit will allow me to run the batteries at the same time, seperately, or to let the secondary boost the primary in the event that the primary ever dies. This is all provided I can find a place to mount the extra battery and keep it out of the way.

Now what's really stumping me is what I'm going to do about the alternator. The way I'm going to run the isolator is off of the main battery, instead of off the alternator, then to the secondary. I'm worried that my alternator isn't going to be up to the task of charging both batteries. I do have the 140 amp alt from Mr. Alternator, but I haven't successfully found a way to upgrade the charging wires from the alt. I ran a 8 guage wire parallel from the charging post to the battery with no luck. WATRD, however, successfully did this on his rig... a Tacoma.

So, what I need to know is, will my alternator be up to the task of charging 2 batteries or do I need to figure out how to upgrade the wires first? If not, I probably still will later... but I'd like to start running the dual batteries now.

Edit: Here's a site that I've been looking at for the isolator kit: Wrangler NW

10-01-2003, 10:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Churnd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 4,093	Dual Batteries Ok, I know dual batteries have been discussed here a thousand times. I've been searching all night but not really finding what I need. I'm planning on running another battery along with my Everstart Maxx from WalMart. The extra battery is probably going to be an Optima Marine. I have a pretty good idea of how I'm going to wire it up also. I'll probably order an isolator kit or make up my own. Basically, the kit will allow me to run the batteries at the same time, seperately, or to let the secondary boost the primary in the event that the primary ever dies. This is all provided I can find a place to mount the extra battery and keep it out of the way. Now what's really stumping me is what I'm going to do about the alternator. The way I'm going to run the isolator is off of the main battery, instead of off the alternator, then to the secondary. I'm worried that my alternator isn't going to be up to the task of charging both batteries. I do have the 140 amp alt from Mr. Alternator, but I haven't successfully found a way to upgrade the charging wires from the alt. I ran a 8 guage wire parallel from the charging post to the battery with no luck. WATRD, however, successfully did this on his rig... a Tacoma. So, what I need to know is, will my alternator be up to the task of charging 2 batteries or do I need to figure out how to upgrade the wires first? If not, I probably still will later... but I'd like to start running the dual batteries now. Edit: Here's a site that I've been looking at for the isolator kit: Wrangler NW __________________ -Chris If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. Click here to search! My Website Last edited by Churnd; 10-01-2003 at 10:29 PM.