Auxillary Battery Installed: Some thoughts..

TMS2U · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2002, 04:59 PM

Well I finally finished installing an aux battery today. It was actually pretty easy, just a bit more time consuming than I had anticipated. I added this because of my future plans to mount a Warn M12000 and due to all the electrical accessories that I have. I am now running an Optima yellow top as my primary and a red top as my backup.

Since I do not have ABS, the 2nd battery fit under the hood over the passenger side front wheel well. There was a tiny bit of a problem with the strap down bracket bolts and the hood hinge dampeners, but I ended up simply having to be careful about the battery tray placement AND cover the end of the bolts with some tape to prevent scratching. I used the Hellroaring isolator to hook it up. A very nice unit, it has a diagnostic remote that allows on, off, or automatic (kicks in when a large voltage drop in the main battery is detected) configurations. A LED lets you know if the backup battery is getting a charg from the alternator. Since I could not find a way to get to the starter easily, I simply ran the new 2g positive cable to the side terminal of my yellow top. I mounted the isolator horizontially, inbetween the 2nd battery and my air intake setup. I will try to get some photos of the setup when I get a chance.

Now when that ARB Bull bar gets here I will be all ready to get my warn mounted and ready to go!!!!

TMS2U · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 12:31 AM

For a more detailed explanation with some photos check out:

www.teddnet.com/isolator.html

IZL · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 02:31 AM

Looks real good Tedd.

With all of the electrical toys and mods that I have seen recently (Mud'og's ride at the AZ outing last weekend), I am thinking of starting a company that transmits +12V to moving vehicles from a satellite. You'll just need to mount a 10' dish in your bed to receive the power.

I still haven't figured out how to handle to "brown outs" when you go under an overpass or into a tunnel, but I am working on it.

Seriously, looking forward to seeing your winch installed.

Mark

TMS2U · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2002, 08:59 AM

Mark-

Didn't Tesla come up with a ground based power transmitting system? You could set up a ground lead on subscribing customers and that would handle those pesky Brown outs!!

Ryan-

The isolator was a little over $200. That included the diagnostic remote and a 150 amp fuse. I also had to get the cables for the main power supplies to and from the batteries which was about $30, and of course the tray and stuff for another $20. It took pretty much an entire day to do the install. So with the red top the total was about $400.