Dual Batterys

salden77 · November 27, 2009

Installed dual optima red top batteries on my 06 GMC sierra 1/2 ton. now have over 2000 cranking amps!! just have to finish strapping the cables across the fire wall.

pwall · November 27, 2009

That'll turn the motor over nicely when it's cold. ;)

jrod332 · November 28, 2009

That'll turn the motor over nicely when it's cold. ;)

and power a few amps and some nice speakers if you got em.

GasHog369 · November 28, 2009

Very nice! When it comes time for a new battery i can see me doing this!

chevydeth · November 28, 2009

did you have to wire it up any special way? or just connect them to each other?

salden77 · November 28, 2009

did you have to wire it up any special way? or just connect them to each other?

i just connected them to each other, positive to positive, neg. to neg., i used #2 welding cable that i purchased from a local welding supply store, its more flexible to work with and better under load than standard THHN wire. and yes it does power a nice size amp and a sub, i have a pic of the amp i mounted behind the drivers seat on the back wall of the cab. my whole reason for goin with dual batterys was because i was killing an optima battery just about every year from the constant abuse. good thing the optima batterys come with a 3 year warranty i guess def. got my moneys worth. there isnt anything as far as speakers and audio that i havent replaced, i even upgraded all the wires going from head unit to the speakers to shielded #14 wire to reduce any ground noise going to the speakers

pckhalil · November 28, 2009

I'd like to add a second battery when it's time for replacement of my original. Did you consider isolating the batteries from each other? Maybe there isn't a need for that if you're constantly using them together?

salden77 · November 28, 2009

I'd like to add a second battery when it's time for replacement of my original. Did you consider isolating the batteries from each other? Maybe there isn't a need for that if you're constantly using them together?

i thought about it, but i really have no need for isolating them, if you were running power for a camper off a inverter with the engine off then i could see a need for isolating them cuz if you run one batt. down then you could start the truck with the other battery. even when i had just one optima battery iv never killed the battery to the point were i couldnt start my truck, last winter i was working outside all day putting pole lights together on a job we were doin so i had my stereo on most of the day while i was working and i came really close to needing a jump, i was playing music with a subwoofer on for at least 5 hrs straight, tried starting my truck wouldnt start, then i saw i still had the heater on, turned it off and the truck started right up still to my surprise. you may also want to isolate if your using your truck plow alot because that could also kill your battery and you dont want to be stuck knocking on a customers door for a jump. if your not using an isolator i would def. recommend making sure both batteries are the same though.

96chevy7.4L · November 28, 2009

Just a quick question what method of isolation do you guys recommend? Any links appreciated. Also is there a battery tray part number that is a bolt in.

salden77 · November 28, 2009

Just a quick question what method of isolation do you guys recommend? Any links appreciated.

http://www.bcae1.com/battiso.htm

this link explains the difference between diode isolation, solenoid, and without isolation.

96chevy7.4L · November 28, 2009

There are many isolation methods I understand that. I didn't know if there were any that were recommended. Also if there was a GM part number to mount the other battery tray.

salden77 · November 28, 2009

There are many isolation methods I understand that. I didn't know if there were any that were recommended. Also if there was a GM part number to mount the other battery tray.

couldnt get the part number but maybe this will help>? http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/catalog/frameset.cfm

salden77 · November 28, 2009

There are many isolation methods I understand that. I didn't know if there were any that were recommended. Also if there was a GM part number to mount the other battery tray.

couldnt get the part number but maybe this will help>? http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/catalog/frameset.cfm

idk if the link works but i found the parts on gmpartsdirect.com in the catalog.