Have 2 kinetik batteries and 2nd one isn't charging??!

[kpeters0929 10+ year member]

Hello.

So i have a Kinetik HC1400 under the hood as a stock replacement. In the back of the car i have a HC1800. Underhood battery is grounded at all factory points using 1/0 wire as well as at the alternator.

The rear HC1800 is grounded to the chasis in 2 different spots that were sanded to bare metal beforehand.

I didn't notice this until now, but the back battery doesn't seem to be charging. I checked voltage with the car off and the underhood battery was at 12.9 volts. The rear battery was at 11.8 volts. I started the car and let it idle for a few minutes. Now the front battery is at 14.5 volts and the rear battery is still at 11.8 volts and doesn't rise even if i push the gas pedal.

Anyone know what could be causing this? Both batteries are connected with 1/0 wire on the positive terminals, but the negative terminals are not connected. I figured i could just ground the rear one straight to the chasis. Do you think it is mandatory to ground both batteries together? I'm not too familiar with battery isolators but i figured those were only used if i decide to play the system with the car off (which i never do.) Would that help in a situation like mine?

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[yikes vR 10+ year member]

Sounds like the back batt's positive isn't connected correctly...

Forget to put a fuse in ?

Also sounds like rear batt could use a charge...

 

[yikes vR 10+ year member]

Check your positive run (Front to Back), it's not connected right.

 

[kpeters0929 10+ year member]

Sounds like the back batt's positive isn't connected correctly...
Forget to put a fuse in ?

Also sounds like rear batt could use a charge...

Actually is does have an inline ANL fuse which is 300 amps. Fuse is good though. It's a pretty simple hookup. 1/0 wire straight from the + on the underhood battery to the rear battery. I could charge the rear battery but still not sure on why it got this way.

 

[SocialStealth]

yeah check your positive connections, or sell the back bat to me for cheap //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

where'd you buy them if you don't mind my asking?

 

[kpeters0929 10+ year member]

Thanks guys!

I just went back to the car. I actually have another HC1800 that was new so i shot that in as the back battery just to see what happens. It was 13 volts before i turned the car on. Once the car was on, the voltage started to drop slowly more and more so i ruled out the other battery being bad.

After that i checked all the connections and they were good. Only thing left was the fuse. I took the cover off to check the fuse once again and for some odd reason the bolts that hold the fuse on were just a tad loose. I tightened those up more and didn't think it was going to make a difference, but it sure did. Now voltage on the front and back battery are the same while the car is running.

BTW for the guy who asked where i bought the Kinetiks, i bought them from a kinetik dealer on ebay. I believe i paid $215 shipped for the HC1800's and the 1400 i paid i think $195. That was the best price i found on the internet for them.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Always check the voltages of the back batteries. It can save you time and money not ruining batteries be they are Kinetik or any other brand. If they go dead and stay dead it is not good.

 

[kpeters0929 10+ year member]

Ok sure thing. From now on i'll keep an eye on them. Maybe i'll get a voltage gauge that i could hook up to the rear batteries so i can watch them while driving.

Just one question,

Would you recommend that i run a 1/0 wire from the - terminal of the battery under the hood to the rear battery? I'm not sure if it'll help at all but figured i'd ask.

Thanks!

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Depends on the car. If it is a unibody yes I would run the -