Help understanding dual battery setup

[kennythewelder]

Thanks for all the replies and helping me figure this out.

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Most likely this previous owner added the second at the time the winch was installed. Both batteries are connected from the positive terminals to the same point on the fuse relay center box, here's a pic:

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I don't see any battery isolator so I guess both batteries share the load and would be drained equally? I'm assuming I could pick up something like this so I can use the driver side battery to power the winch and other accessories without worry of draining the main passenger side battery:

http://www.amazon.com/Stinger-SGP38-80-AMP-Battery-Isolator/dp/B001HC6UJ0/ref=sr_1_5

Your thoughts are correct. They are both sharing the load, and adding a switch would isolate the batteries, but would limit you to less winch run time. If you did add a switch, you would not drain the starting battery though.

 

[Gambles]

Should do the trick, I believe you hook it up to accessory power so it will allow it to fully function when the car is on, and if it's off lets the lights and winch drain away without killing your pass side battery. Never used an isolator though so I could be wrong.

 

[kennythewelder]

I would think the isolator is a HD relay.

 

[kennythewelder]

Take your pick. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=car+batter+isolator

 

[df2x4]

One thing to note, if you're not running an isolator or charge controller then it would be best to run as close to identical batteries as possible. Same brand and model would be best, same capacity. That way you're not putting more stress on one battery than the other during a rapid discharge situation.

 

[kennythewelder]

One thing to note, if you're not running an isolator or charge controller then it would be best to run as close to identical batteries as possible. Same brand and model would be best, same capacity. That way you're not putting more stress on one battery than the other during a rapid discharge situation.

Grate point

 

[99Sierra]

Bumping this thread back up again as I recently picked up this Stinger 200A battery isolator and just want to verify I am going to install this correctly. Based on the included wiring diagram and everything I've read online, I think this is how I should install it:

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Does this look correct? As always, thanks for the help, GMT400.com!

 

[Kv5137kv5137]

Interested as I’m doing the same except on an obs. Which changes a few things up


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[PlayingWithTBI]

One thing to note, if you're not running an isolator or charge controller then it would be best to run as close to identical batteries as possible. Same brand and model would be best, same capacity. That way you're not putting more stress on one battery than the other during a rapid discharge situation.

X2 - AND once one battery is discharged more, or weaker, than the other if you don't have a voltage regulator on each you'll cook the good battery because the alternator is trying to charge up the weaker one.

 

[Supercharged111]

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http://www.amazon.com/Stinger-SGP38-80-AMP-Battery-Isolator/dp/B001HC6UJ0/ref=sr_1_5

That's not right, the wire for the driver's battery is separated from everything by a 30A fuse in that configuration. For the battery to assist the other side or need charged it will go through that fuse. You should move the driver wire down to the same lug as the passenger battery.