thinking about installing a 2nd battery....

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

first do i really need an isolator? i have a 200 amp alt and a regular walmart battery under the hood, and the big 3 done in 1/0 guage wire. i assume i run a 1/0 guage wire from the positive of the battery under the hood, to the positive on the second battery, and then run the power from the second battery to the amps. then i ground the second battery to the chasis and ground the amps to the chasis. i think i got it down but want to make sure. also do i need to build and enclosure for the battery or can i just mount it out in the open?

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[req 5,000+ posts]

talk to dave (audiolife) about batteries, you might be able to get some GOOD batteries for quite a deal (kinetik).

my HC1400 was a complete steal.

 

[kuijo 10+ year member]

I've been thinking of a second battery install. I would probably install an isolater just to be on the safe side. I don't want to listen to my system for awhile and then not be able to start my car. I also might be installing a carputer.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

If you run two identical batteries, you shouldn't need an isolator. That really only come in handy if you want to switch between a starting and dedicated deep cycle for heavy loads.

 

[ntense702 10+ year member]

a second battery certainely helps, as far as the isolator goes I recall a past thread about it and the majority of the people who have second batteries said they didn't use one and never had any problems, I don't use one and I been running a second battery for 6 months now and never had any problems...

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

If you run two identical batteries, you shouldn't need an isolator. That really only come in handy if you want to switch between a starting and dedicated deep cycle for heavy loads.

they won't be identical. i'll have a yellowtop in the back and an interstate something or other under the hood. should i just go with the isolator then? if so which one should i get?

 

[kuijo 10+ year member]

How much play do u think u could get off a system while ur car is off before it started draining ur start up battery?

 

[chinny 5,000+ posts]

20 mins average

 

[chinny 5,000+ posts]

depends wether ur bat is deep cycle or not

 

[btnhfan 5,000+ posts]

No isolater

I have optima under the hood

Kinetiks in the trunk

Make sure you fuse on both sides of the + terminals, however.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

No isolaterI have optima under the hood

Kinetiks in the trunk

Make sure you fuse on both sides of the + terminals, however.

so i should be fine with no isolator? i really don't plan to run my system a lot of with the egine off if that matters. also where do i find these kinetik batteries? are they cheaper and/or better then optimas?

 

[BassAddictJ 5,000+ posts]

i run 2 red tops without problems......in the past i have run 2 completely differant batteries without an isolator for 6 months without problem (totaled the car after that time //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif )

but as long as they are the same or near the same you'll be fine, i'd recommend puuting a fuse between the 2 incase something goes awol......but other than that you'll be fine

 

[cappy72 10+ year member]

I just got my second yellow top to replace the No name engine compartment battery. I was running it without an isolator and I wasnt sure if that was bad, but I did have a little dimming. I have done the big3 and a couple of extra engine grounds.