I have a winch, alot of work lights and driving lights mounted on my truck. I am considering dual batteries, can I just add another battery or do I need to install an isolater as well.

Thanks for the advice

Rich

 

you mean you dont have 2 batteries as it is? i know i have 2 and every other diesel i have seen has 2 batteries. but i dont know what an isolator is so im not too sure.

 

since your in the 1st gen forum you are with us one battery folks. if you are using truck with engine running just put in the second batt. and think about a bigger alternator and hig idle system. if you use it with engine off then a isolator is in order and consider 2 6v deep cycle batteries in series.
Clark

 

well that sux for yall. if you are going to get another alternaotr then think about getting a 135 amp off a semi. more expensive but i havent had a problem with mine yet.

Nick

 

whoo bubba. our 1st gen represent the apex of truck design. with the absence of puter this and puter that we have no need for a second battery. why, i once had to run all day in the dark with a shot alternator using only the static charge generated by the air flow over our lovely body style to run all the electrics(notice not electronics)
Clark

 

i know, i hate computers and that is y i luv these engines.but i like the crankability of 2 batts. the engine only cranks about 2 revs before it starts when its not cold. i havent seen any other truck that starts that fast. just pop the key for a tenth of a second or two and she fires to life. so im gonna stick with 2.

 

You could just add the second battery in parallel but for best results they should be the same size and new. Otherwise get 2 6V golf cart batteries and hook them in series. The Alternator is probably heavy duty enough if all you need is more cranking speed.

Personally, mine cranks just fine and fires on the first compression stroke. Always has. It's those Ferds and Duracraps that have to crank a long time before they catch.

I have the biggest WalMart battery they sell. About $69.00 I think is what I paid. It's 1100 cranking amps I think.

Edwin

 

First generations like to start halfway on the first crank, even with only one battery. Don't know about Powerstrokes, but our Duramax takes about 7 cranks or so. The Cummins is just such a well designed engine that it wants to run all the time. I think sometimes it's harder to keep a Cummins off than it is to keep it running.

Isn't the stock alternator 120 amps? I think that's what the ones at Napa were rated. I thought it was a bit high, but not too out there, is it?

If you want to get really cool, find a magneto. Now that'd be cool!

 

I dont know about you guy's, but when I get in my truck and reach for the key she starts on her own. Ok, not that quick. I am planning on putting two orbital batteries side by side on the same tray though.

 

Yep, our alternators are rated at 120 amps, quite often they'll put out closer to 130.

 

I've got two Group 31s mounted sideways on the stock battery tray with a custom hold down bracket. They are simply wired in parallal. Why? Cause at -30C sitting for 3 weeks without being plugged in I need to run the grid heater 3 times before starting it. Even then it takes probably 6-8 cranks before she catches. But she starts, every time!

 

Don't know about No. Cal. weather, but around here after two shots of the grid heater, there can be a definite need for a 2nd battery @ -35 degrees.
- Chris

 

ive actually killed my batteries twice. truck sat for a month when i first got it(it sat for 10yrs before i bought it) plus we had a real winter. then it sat for a couple of months while i was at college, then tried to start it at night with likie 10*F. so i like the 2 batts just in case.