yes they are the same age from the same bus with thread posts.
So I should connect pos to pos and neg to neg? correct?
I'm sorry to ask stupid questions but I don't want to have a bomb on my hands or something to fry out on me.

Thanks,

Michael

 

What kind of batteries are they? 6 or 12 volt
It they are both 12 volt then YES
Always POS to POS and NEG to NEG to keep 12 volts if you connect them in series you will get 24 volts for your military vehicle.
You could use some welding cable to connect them; also you should check the cells with a hydrogometer to check the state of charge and assure all cells are even.
Jim

 

why add the extra weight? mine has started fine for 16 years

 

I have duals in mine so the truck can sit all day unplugged at -20C and still start to go home(or sit all night). With a single battery running the grid heater thru 2 cycles didn't leave much left over for cranking. Now I can run the grid heater numerous times and still have lots left for cranking. Its amazing how much draw the grid heater has.

 

Jim they are 12volt- 960cca each. the cells are almost identical in both batts. I have plenty of cable, maybe I should mount the both in the bed

 

I have two group 30-S batteries that will sling the engine out of the truck if it don't turn over.

Only difference in GP 30 and GP 31 is the location of the studs/posts.

One has them in the center and the other has them offset to one side.

I got rid of the troublesome lead posts and corrosion-prone lead terminals in favor of threaded stud terminals with wing-nuts.

Now, I don't dread taking off a cable or removing a battery, spin off two wing-nuts and I'm done.

I wouldn't go back to lead terminals for a new truck.

 

I agree, my old 89 started at 10 below one morning in Pa. Never had a starting problem the ten years I owned it. I have gone through more batteries on my 95 and my 99 than anything else I have ever owned. The right side battery goes bad and then drags the left side down with it. Took the left side battery out of my 95 and gave it to my son who ran it in my old 81 Dodge for another three years. The right side was stone dead and would not charge. They last about three years. Brought my sonds 94 home from Arkansas and the first thing we had to do was replace both batteries. The right one in my 99 is going bad so I swapped them side to side. May get a little more life out of them that way. I personally believe it is the way the charging system is set up but I could be way out in left field too.

Anyway, why do you want to go to two batteries?

 

Anyway, why do you want to go to two batteries?-Dieseldude4x4
Administrator

Because I have them

 

Because I have them ... best reason of all next to free.

Michael
I installed multiple batteries for redundancy, nothing like a chattering starter solenoid at 4:00 A.M. when you are inside a big lonely warehouse.
If you do decide to put them in the bed use a good piece of cable to the starter preferably 1ga. or better, the ground can go to a bolt on the chassis. Also secure it well to the frame rails so there is no chance it can rub and short out from the vibration.
Do you have a crimper for the terminals? Mine looks like a pair of bolt cutters with swiveling dies.
This is where I got my crimper, lugs and heat shrink from.
High quality stuff here.
http://www.noco.biz/
Jim

 

Thanks Jim. I think I'm going to move them to the bed ( one on each side in front of the wheel wells) this summer. My Dad has 100ft of 0ga welders cable, I hope that wil work. I'm also doing this because I have a stereo setup that I would like to install in this truck.

Michael

 

Get Some Battery Cable At Napa And Jump Them From One Battery To The Other. Ground To Ground, Positive To Postive. Simple As That