Adding a Dual Battery

bsprtsgrp · June 26, 2017

I started to add a second battery today when i noticed that the additional battery tray that came with the vehicle did not have a place for the retainer & bolt attach to or the other side of the battery (a Series 48) to hold on to.

When we drilled down into the BOM for adding a secondary battery we noticed that there is another battery tray listed #22989633. Has anyone else had to swap-out the tray that came with the truck in order to add the secondary battery so it could be secured?

This how it looks now...

bsprtsgrp · June 26, 2017

This is the GMC Part listing the additional tray....see how there is a lip on one side near 10,11,12 o'clock in the photo to retain the battery

Edited June 26, 2017 by bsprtsgrp

aseibel · June 26, 2017

I know of another forum with a short little 310 post write up on dual batteries if you care to read more.

https://www.plowsite.com/threads/dual-battery-install-instructions-for-a-chevy.56715/

bsprtsgrp · June 27, 2017

Tray would look like this one...see the lip behind the washer fill cap

tenscourts · June 28, 2017

I've gone through this entire process. See my build thread and pm me if you need additional info. BTW the OE battery size will not fit the second tray. Again, read my thread. I have part #s, pictures, and videos.

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Jeremy01 · June 28, 2017

Thank you for the information I was thinking about putting in a second battery a long time now but how to do it without overpowering the alternator was my question and everybody wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to do it

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tenscourts · June 28, 2017

Thank you for the information I was thinking about putting in a second battery a long time now but how to do it without overpowering the alternator was my question and everybody wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to do it

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I'd say it will run you $800 for a basic setup. I probably spent $1200 due to trial and error. Your biggest expenses will be the battery, isolator, and cables. You can get a tray off a 2014 that isn't using it then buy the bolt and rubber wedge. I spent about $50 buying the tray new.

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Spurshot · June 28, 2017

I spent about $500 on parts, installing a second battery in my 2008 truck. The cost is dependent on whether you go with automatic charging management, manual charging management, quality of the components, method of battery isolation/connecting.

sirooga · June 28, 2017

After trying a Stinger isolator and it only lasting a week....I switched out to this guy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058SGDFK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i9bvzbY7N4QEV

Works great.

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bsprtsgrp · June 28, 2017

I've gone through this entire process. See my build thread and pm me if you need additional info. BTW the OE battery size will not fit the second tray. Again, read my thread. I have part #s, pictures, and videos.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk. My build thread: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?/topic/192614-Tenscourts'-2016-LTZ/Z71-CCSB-4WD-Silverado

Appreciate the insight. What we found out after calling GMC PartsTech hotline is that the 1500' are built with a tray included solely because the engine compartment is relativity the same BOM as a 2500,which allows the option to add a second battery, hence the tray being there.

Secondly, the tray that was installed in my engine compartment did not have the proper hold-down lip or the adhered nut on the bottom to hold the retainer & bolt. This is the strange part as others here with 1500's have the tray that does have the ability to secure a battery. We brought in tray #22989633 and that also did not have the lip to hold the battery. My parts guy ordered tray#25826079 which is tray in the 2500 and that tray has the lip and the nut on the bottom which holds down the battery. The only difference is the slight jog for the washer bottle neck, however the tray will fit.

Lastly, the tray size requires an AC Delco battery Series 48PG (or similar battery) not a Series 94 which is included with the 1500' truck and 3 inches wider. When you order a 2500 with dual batteries, you receive 2-48 series batteries which includes an isolator.

I ordered the GM factory cables for a dual battery install and will have my installation shop add the appropriate isolator and fuses.

Edited June 28, 2017 by bsprtsgrp

tenscourts · June 28, 2017

Appreciate the insight. What we found out after calling GMC PartsTech hotline is that the 1500' are built with a tray included solely because the engine compartment is relativity the same BOM as a 2500,which allows the option to add a second battery, hence the tray being there.

Secondly, the tray that was installed in my engine compartment did not have the proper hold-down lip or the adhered nut on the bottom to hold the retainer & bolt. This is the strange part as others here with 1500's have the tray that does have the ability to secure a battery. We brought in tray #22989633 and that also did not have the lip to hold the battery. My parts guy ordered tray#25826079 which is tray in the 2500 and that tray has the lip and the nut on the bottom which holds down the battery. The only difference is the slight jog for the washer bottle neck, however the tray will fit.

Lastly, the tray size requires an AC Delco battery Series 48PG (or similar battery) not a Series 94 which is included with the 1500' truck and 3 inches wider. When you order a 2500 with dual batteries, you receive 2-48 series batteries which includes an isolator.

I ordered the GM factory cables for a dual battery install and will have my installation shop add the appropriate isolator and fuses.

FYI the 2014's and maybe 2015's have the tray with the lip. In the 2016's they got cheap. My dealer looked up a replacement tray and it came with the lip. Took me 3 batteries to figure out the right size. 2014 or 2015 models offered dual batteries in a 1500. When I looked them up I finally figured out the right size. 48 as you said. I got custom cables because of the placement of my isolator. Glad you got it worked out.

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bsprtsgrp · June 28, 2017

FYI the 2014's and maybe 2015's have the tray with the lip. In the 2016's they got cheap. My dealer looked up a replacement tray and it came with the lip. Took me 3 batteries to figure out the right size. 2014 or 2015 models offered dual batteries in a 1500. When I looked them up I finally figured out the right size. 48 as you said. I got custom cables because of the placement of my isolator. Glad you got it worked out.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk. My build thread: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?/topic/192614-Tenscourts'-2016-LTZ/Z71-CCSB-4WD-Silverado

Mine is a 2105 A/T SLT and my "tray" would not work.

Like the hood LEDS BTW, nice touch

tenscourts · June 29, 2017

Mine is a 2105 A/T SLT and my "tray" would not work.

Like the hood LEDS BTW, nice touch

Thanks. My friend has a 2014 and his has the correct tray. Couldn't remember what year they got cheap.

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bsprtsgrp · July 5, 2017

Installed....

Sloverado · October 23, 2018

Bringing up old thread. I am looking to do this upgrade and I’m also have another question maybe someone can answer. I have a 170 amp alt and was wondering if the 84143539 220 amp would be a replacement for it? I have a 17 with the 6.2. My dealer ship wasn’t much help when asking