Proper Way to Wire 2 Batteries in Trunk *PIC*

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

I would recommend doing dedicated runs of power and ground wires from the front of the car to your rear batteries. With that much power, a body ground is crap. This would especially help if you have a high output alternator.

 

[bumpintrunk 10+ year member]

so this way would be better?

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[Skip01 5,000+ posts]

And i wouldnt draw all the power runs for the amps off 1 batt

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

And i wouldnt draw all the power runs for the amps off 1 batt

That's a good suggestion, I didn't think of that. It wouldn't hurt to spread the load around.

 

[bumpintrunk 10+ year member]

That's a good suggestion, I didn't think of that. It wouldn't hurt to spread the load around.

yea i could do that, but man running 4 runs of 0 gauge is gonna kill me //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

yea i could do that, but man running 4 runs of 0 gauge is gonna kill me //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

How much power are you running?

 

[bumpintrunk 10+ year member]

5,000 watts...2 2500d's 1 1000 watt 4-channel, and about 2 kinetik 2400's

 

[QtrHorse 10+ year member]

And i wouldnt draw all the power runs for the amps off 1 batt

If the batteries are right next to each other, it will not matter.

OP;

I would use one run of 2/0ga (if using welding wire, maybe use 3/0ga) wire from the front battery to the first back battery for both the power and ground and then use two short runs of 0ga between the two back batteries.

I made the comment about using 3/0ga welding wire because 2/0ga welding wire is just about the same size as most good 1/0ga audio wire. It will still be cheaper than running two runs of 0ga wire.

People use copper bars between to close batteries because it offer less resitance than coper wire. I really doubt it's going to make any differance that you could tell unless you are competing and then it will still be very, very small.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

With that much power, don't use the chassis for anything. Your 2nd picture is correct. It will probably be easier to wire one amp to each battery because unless you use bus bars, there is no easy way you're going to fit 5 wires to one post.

 

[alvitae 10+ year member]

Doubling 1/0 is the same as running 3/0 not 2/0. When you run two 4 guages it doesn't equal 2 gauge it equals 1 gauge for example. Or so "they" say.

 

[bumpintrunk 10+ year member]

so i should run 2 runs of 3/0 gauge? 1 run for power the other run for negative?

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

Frame grounds.

Do it.

nG

 

[bumpintrunk 10+ year member]

Frame grounds.
Do it.

nG

you guys are confusing me... should i ground the batteries in the trunk to the frame or ground them to the batteries up front

 

[QtrHorse 10+ year member]

If you are competing, I would run the ground back to the front battery. If you are not, I would find a good ground in the trunk and use that. It will save you some $$. Just make sure it is a good ground. Make sure your vehicles frame ground it good and not corroded or loose.

Your ground is the most important connection. Without a good ground, it will not matter how big the power wire is or how many batteries you have.

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

Or you could use buss bars across the rear batts.