Dual battery
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Dual battery
How many early first gen. guys have put dual batteries in their 12 valve? My 89 only has one, not sure how will start when it10 degrees outside.
#2
Registered User
I'm just guessing, since my 89 also has only one battery, that with the gear down starter and the grid heaters along with the block heater that you won't have any problems at 10 deg. F. I never did when I lived in KS. My truck always lit on the first cylinder to turn over. Still does here in balmy SoCal FWIW.
Edwin
Edwin
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nothingbutdarts (10-24-2018)
#3
Registered User
Mine started no problem -10F without plugging in and -35F plugged in with one battery. 5w40 helps too. All you need is one G31 battery 1000cca, napa has them. 1st gens don’t mind the cold.
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nothingbutdarts (10-24-2018)
#4
Registered User
10 degrees is too cold for human habitation. Although the truck may start I don't think you would be able to get me to start at 10 degrees. I would move to where it's warmer.
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nonrev (10-25-2018)
#5
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nothingbutdarts (10-25-2018)
#6
Registered User
No need for two honestly, just make sure you run a deep cycle battery and make sure it's marine grade. Many times we have guys cranking the crap out the the cummins 12 valvers until the leads get hot or melt. They kill the starting battery because the engine was sitting in -25F weather with a major wind chill.
Deep cycle is made for powering things up which you want when you need to hit the grid heaters/glow plugs a few times. We ended up replacing all of our starting batteries with deep cycle, they just don't die.
Deep cycle is made for powering things up which you want when you need to hit the grid heaters/glow plugs a few times. We ended up replacing all of our starting batteries with deep cycle, they just don't die.
#7
Registered User
Still with one battery on each of my cummins trucks. Less trouble from them than any other diesel I've had that came with 2 batts from the factory.
And less batteries to buy
And less batteries to buy
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#8
Administrator
I have 2 in mine, but the second one is to run the winch and a power inverter. They are isolated from each other and the starting battery system is unchanged. It starts real nice on the frigid 40 degree winter mornings here in Phoenix...Mark
#9
Registered User
Mine started no problem -10F without plugging in and -35F plugged in with one battery. 5w40 helps too.
#10
Administrator
If you want it to spin real fast for a second or two, hook them up in series and jamb 24 volts into it, that should be quite a show...Mark
#11
Registered User
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
Used to work on old Kenworth trucks, they had a series parallel switch on the starting syst. 24V starting then kicks back to 12 volt syst. for all else.
Thank you ALL for the info. One big one it is! Odyssey AGM battery maybe, steep $299.00 price though
Thank you ALL for the info. One big one it is! Odyssey AGM battery maybe, steep $299.00 price though
#13
Registered User
The Only Reason the Second gen's have 2 batteries are they have More Computer Junk to run. So 1 run's the Junk the Other start's the engine .These truck's were designed to start fine in cold weather when plugged in .Doesn't mean you can't run to Batteries but IMO no need for Over Kill unless you run a really good system and want some Extra boost .
#14
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I've had 2 1st gens. 1 with a single battery and 1 with duals. Neither gave me trouble starting in the cold. By cold I mean 0*F or colder (+10* is t-shirt weather). I've fired up a 1st gen at -45*F without it being plugged in after a 12 hr shift when the breaker blew on the outlet at work.
The biggest thing that helps in cold weather starting is a TIGHT fuel system. A LP piston lift pump is a nice addition too as it helps push the cold/thick fuel through the filters better.
The biggest thing that helps in cold weather starting is a TIGHT fuel system. A LP piston lift pump is a nice addition too as it helps push the cold/thick fuel through the filters better.