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Dual Battery Installation

mrbadwrench
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mrbadwrench Enthusiast

mrbadwrench

Posted
Posted

GM gives you everything you need to install dual batteries in your 1500....except the battery and cables!

 

So I decided I might as well finish what GM started.

 

Pretty easy. Just add a second battery and route 4 Gauge battery cables along the firewall over to the original battery. Make sure you add a ground from your new battery to the chassis, just for good measure

 

 

Now I can run my hair dryer and microwave

 

IMG_20151026_094232724_HDR_zpsdhbrqbju.j

 

IMG_20151026_094302765_zpsqecsrojv.jpg

 

IMG_20151026_094250742_zpses3qf12t.jpg

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bdbake01
bdbake01

Don't wanna be "that guy", but a second battery doesn't increase the pitiful capacity of the factory inverter which drives the plug. At only 150 watts you are limited to charging your iPad, or possibl

J-man67
J-man67

Hmm...so I could run a sawzall off the 120 plug with this? I tried the other day and got no power...

mrbadwrench
mrbadwrench

Not sure what inverter you guys are referring to, I don't have it though. Can't run 110 off my truck. The hair dryer/microwave comment was a joke ha-ha.

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J-man67 Senior Enthusiast

J-man67

Posted
Posted

Hmm...so I could run a sawzall off the 120 plug with this? I tried the other day and got no power...

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bdbake01 Senior Enthusiast

bdbake01

Posted
Posted

Don't wanna be "that guy", but a second battery doesn't increase the pitiful capacity of the factory inverter which drives the plug. At only 150 watts you are limited to charging your iPad, or possibly using a high powered toothbrush.

 

Also without a battery isolator, a lot of the benefits of a dual battery system are lost.

  • Like 6
mrbadwrench Enthusiast

mrbadwrench

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Not sure what inverter you guys are referring to, I don't have it though. Can't run 110 off my truck. The hair dryer/microwave comment was a joke ha-ha.

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bdbake01 Senior Enthusiast

bdbake01

Posted
Posted

Not sure what inverter you guys are referring to, I don't have it though. Can't run 110 off my truck. The hair dryer/microwave comment was a joke ha-ha.

I knew you were joking, but people get ideas :)

SuperSize Enthusiast

SuperSize

Posted
Posted

I saw that and thought it was pretty cool, that there was a spot ready for the second. battery. Are there any configurations that come with 2 batteries from the factory?

mrbadwrench Enthusiast

mrbadwrench

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I saw that and thought it was pretty cool, that there was a spot ready for the second. battery. Are there any configurations that come with 2 batteries from the factory?

 

No, the 2nd battery tray is unused on the 1500. There are dual battery options but are only available for the 2500 and up. It is a mystery why GM includes the tray on the 1500.

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted

I saw that and thought it was pretty cool, that there was a spot ready for the second. battery. Are there any configurations that come with 2 batteries from the factory?

All duramax's have 2 batteries.

mrbadwrench Enthusiast

mrbadwrench

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Excuse my ignorance, but what would be the purpose of having a 2nd battery?

Proving to my neighbor that my GM is better than his Ford.

What do you have wired with those wire nuts? Why are they are your truck?

Those are all part of the strobes. I think those particular ones go to the front grill LEDs

SuperSize Enthusiast

SuperSize

Posted
Posted

Excuse my ignorance, but what would be the purpose of having a 2nd battery?

 

Can run things longer without the engine running. Also have more starting capacity/power.

 

I want to get a second battery with an isolator for camping to run lights, chargers etc.

mrbadwrench Enthusiast

mrbadwrench

Posted
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Posted

Tahoe police package has 2 batteries i believe as well

That may be why GM provides the space for the 2nd Batt on the 1500s even though there is no Batt upgrade available from GM....gives the police/fire/EMS upfitters a place to put their 2nd battery

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