Dual batteries and wiring a winch question? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

PAINLESS · 05-08-2006, 06:37 AM

I just installed a winch and a second battery on my 77 Blazer. I would like to just use the original battery for the starter and the other one for the winch, but need to charge the winch battery. What are some options for doing this? Can I just run a wire from the alternator to the plus side of the second battery and ground the negative side to the frame? I was hoping to avoid an isolator, they are kind of pricey.

PAToyota · 05-08-2006, 06:55 AM

Although you can do exactly what you are suggesting, you will have problems with battery drain over time. What happens is one battery is lower than the other so it "sucks" from the battery with more juice and this goes back and forth. You do want to isolate them from each other somehow. Check out Seabass's kit here: http://www.12voltguy.com/catalog.0.html9.0.html

PAINLESS · 05-08-2006, 09:03 AM

Someone suggested one of these-
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0001497012970a

As long as you remember to switch it to "all" occasionally it will charge the second battery.

Does anyone run dual batteries that are just wired in parrallel?

The more I think about it, the more I think I'll have to bite the bullet and get an isolator.

PAToyota · 05-08-2006, 09:52 AM

Most diesel pickups have both batteries wired in parallel (like my '92 2500) and a lot of people therefore tell you that you don't need an isolator. However, they do discharge over time and I believe that they do shorten battery life. Seabass's switch is nice because it uses the ignition switch to automatically connect the two batteries - so you don't have to think about it like the Cabelas link you have. I've heard that you can have problems with a setup like this if one battery is substantially low - when they are switched together the sudden current draw can damage the batteries. Supposedly isolators are better in that situation.

cbbr · 05-08-2006, 10:02 AM

IMO an isolator is the way to go. The kit that Seabass sels looks great.

PAINLESS · 05-08-2006, 12:17 PM

I have a SurePower isolator in my other truck for charging the camper battery. I've about talked myself into getting another one for the Blazer. I thought there might be a better and easier way (read cheap).

mdill · 05-09-2006, 07:23 AM

Check out the Boat or RV fourms, those guys use isolaters all the time and would have the best current info. on what is avalible in the market.

Mike D.

PAINLESS · 05-09-2006, 08:00 AM

Called Sure Power yesterday and they hooked me up with a distributor in my state, an RV dealer. Should have it in a couple days. It was only $45. I had seen some for around $100 and was hoping to avoid having to buy one that expensive.

Gutter Runner · 05-10-2006, 07:23 PM

Good call.....
I ran a isolator/ Dual batt set up for my winch on my Jeep 15 years ago and it cost me about 40 bucks at Champion. Worked great.

PAToyota · 05-11-2006, 04:58 AM

Which model did you end up using?

PAINLESS · 05-11-2006, 06:07 AM

It is a 952D for pre 1985 GM's. It has only three terminals on it. The newer ones have a fourth terminal called an exciter. NAPA is also a distributor for Sure Power.

I mounted it to the firewall last night and need to go buy some wire today to finish hooking it up. The one thing I really like about this set up is I can jump start my own vehicle if the primary battery happens to go dead.

05-08-2006, 06:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
PAINLESS Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72392 Posts: 8	Dual batteries and wiring a winch question? I just installed a winch and a second battery on my 77 Blazer. I would like to just use the original battery for the starter and the other one for the winch, but need to charge the winch battery. What are some options for doing this? Can I just run a wire from the alternator to the plus side of the second battery and ground the negative side to the frame? I was hoping to avoid an isolator, they are kind of pricey.

05-08-2006, 06:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
PAToyota Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37600 Location: South Central Pennsylvania Posts: 6,408	Although you can do exactly what you are suggesting, you will have problems with battery drain over time. What happens is one battery is lower than the other so it "sucks" from the battery with more juice and this goes back and forth. You do want to isolate them from each other somehow. Check out Seabass's kit here: http://www.12voltguy.com/catalog.0.html9.0.html __________________ GET INVOLVED - Join the Blue Ribbon Coalition SIGN THE PETITION - SAVETHEHAMMERS - #85 '93 Chevrolet 6.5TD K2500 NV4500 Std. Cab Longbed 170K '85 Toyota 22R RN60 4x4 Std. Cab Shortbed 178K (Currently retired for rebuild)

05-08-2006, 09:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
PAToyota Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37600 Location: South Central Pennsylvania Posts: 6,408	Most diesel pickups have both batteries wired in parallel (like my '92 2500) and a lot of people therefore tell you that you don't need an isolator. However, they do discharge over time and I believe that they do shorten battery life. Seabass's switch is nice because it uses the ignition switch to automatically connect the two batteries - so you don't have to think about it like the Cabelas link you have. I've heard that you can have problems with a setup like this if one battery is substantially low - when they are switched together the sudden current draw can damage the batteries. Supposedly isolators are better in that situation. __________________ GET INVOLVED - Join the Blue Ribbon Coalition SIGN THE PETITION - SAVETHEHAMMERS - #85 '93 Chevrolet 6.5TD K2500 NV4500 Std. Cab Longbed 170K '85 Toyota 22R RN60 4x4 Std. Cab Shortbed 178K (Currently retired for rebuild)

05-08-2006, 10:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
cbbr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Member # 34555 Location: Shiny Side Down Posts: 822	IMO an isolator is the way to go. The kit that Seabass sels looks great. __________________ Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; never give up.

05-11-2006, 04:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
PAToyota Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37600 Location: South Central Pennsylvania Posts: 6,408	Which model did you end up using? __________________ GET INVOLVED - Join the Blue Ribbon Coalition SIGN THE PETITION - SAVETHEHAMMERS - #85 '93 Chevrolet 6.5TD K2500 NV4500 Std. Cab Longbed 170K '85 Toyota 22R RN60 4x4 Std. Cab Shortbed 178K (Currently retired for rebuild)

05-08-2006, 09:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
PAINLESS Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72392 Posts: 8	Someone suggested one of these- http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0001497012970a As long as you remember to switch it to "all" occasionally it will charge the second battery. Does anyone run dual batteries that are just wired in parrallel? The more I think about it, the more I think I'll have to bite the bullet and get an isolator.

05-08-2006, 12:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
PAINLESS Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72392 Posts: 8	I have a SurePower isolator in my other truck for charging the camper battery. I've about talked myself into getting another one for the Blazer. I thought there might be a better and easier way (read cheap).

05-09-2006, 07:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
mdill Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 36434 Location: Richfield MN Posts: 151	Check out the Boat or RV fourms, those guys use isolaters all the time and would have the best current info. on what is avalible in the market. Mike D.

05-09-2006, 08:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
PAINLESS Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72392 Posts: 8	Called Sure Power yesterday and they hooked me up with a distributor in my state, an RV dealer. Should have it in a couple days. It was only $45. I had seen some for around $100 and was hoping to avoid having to buy one that expensive.

05-11-2006, 06:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
PAINLESS Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72392 Posts: 8	It is a 952D for pre 1985 GM's. It has only three terminals on it. The newer ones have a fourth terminal called an exciter. NAPA is also a distributor for Sure Power. I mounted it to the firewall last night and need to go buy some wire today to finish hooking it up. The one thing I really like about this set up is I can jump start my own vehicle if the primary battery happens to go dead.

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