Dual Battery

[Ditch Wicked]

A PO installed a second battery and a solenoid. It allegedly powers the front light bar, the CB, the USB charger and 3 aux back up lights. There is a deep cycle marine battery in there now, but nothing works. I suspect the batt is dead. I am wondering if it would be possible to put in a new battery and hook it into the charging system. Or would I need to add a second alt.

 

[edgephoto]

You can wire them in parallel. Hook the two positives together and the two negatives together.

You could also use a battery isolator to keep them separated nd prevent a dead battery from draining the other one.

 

[Grit dog]

There are many ways to wire in a second battery from straight up parallel connection to any number of solenoids, relays/isolators.
IMO, the bigger question is, do you really have a need for a 2nd battery? And if you do and actually use it for auxiliary loads, while the vehicle is shut off, then isolate it from the start battery, like with that solenoid there or any other means.
Unless I was planning some dedicated key-off loads, I’d spend that money on a quality start battery and the biggest alternator you could get.

 

[Ricko1966]

2nd battery,isolated is super easy and cheap,it does charge but disconnects when the vehicle is not running so you can power whatever you want until the battery goes dead. But your truck will still run on the other battery and charge the isolated battery while you dr8ve home. Bit as Grit said what do you have that you really need to run off a second battery?

 

[Ditch Wicked]

There are many ways to wire in a second battery from straight up parallel connection to any number of solenoids, relays/isolators.
IMO, the bigger question is, do you really have a need for a 2nd battery? And if you do and actually use it for auxiliary loads, while the vehicle is shut off, then isolate it from the start battery, like with that solenoid there or any other means.
Unless I was planning some dedicated key-off loads, I’d spend that money on a quality start battery and the biggest alternator you could get.

I dont know if its needed or not. I am just looking for the easiest way to get the light bar, back up lights and the CB working. I wont be using anything without the engine running. I am not great with ad hoc wiring.

 

[Ricko1966]

I dont know if its needed or not. I am just looking for the easiest way to get the light bar, back up lights and the CB working. I wont be using anything without the engine running. I am not great with ad hoc wiring.

If you aren't running these things with the Vehicle off,you do not need a second battery. You do need to wire these items correctly into your existing system. Make a list of what you need wired up,we'll help you. Or maybe we'll just argue about how it should be done. IDK make your list,we'll see what happens.

 

[Snoots]

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[Grit dog]

Bam! That’s a good wiring diagram
If you’re just wanting to roll, put your good battery over there and make sure everything is wired to it and works.
Make sure you got a charging wire to it and get er dun.
If the accessories are not hooked up right you’ll figure that out I guess. But you’ll have to figure out how it’s wired up. Not horrible because after market wiring is easy to trace. It’s the oddball **** that doesn’t look factory. Lol

 

[SquareRoot]

How many dozen lights are on that bar?

 

[Ditch Wicked]

If you aren't running these things with the Vehicle off,you do not need a second battery. You do need to wire these items correctly into your existing system. Make a list of what you need wired up,we'll help you. Or maybe we'll just argue about how it should be done. IDK make your list,we'll see what happens.

The light bar in the front, the 3 back up spot lights, the CB and the charging ports are all wired to the switches on the center console. All the switches are wired to the solenoid, and then to the second battery.I was think maybe I could just run a 12 or 16 gauge wire, with a fusible link, from the positive terminal on the main batt to the positive terminal on the solenoid. Eliminating the second batt all together. Maybe put a good batt in the second spot with a solar trickle charger so I could give myself a jump start if needed. Its 40 miles to the nearest auto parts store and 50 to the nearest walmart. Trying to get everything together to drive cross country in October.

 

[Ditch Wicked]

How many dozen lights are on that bar?

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Looks like 3 dozen or so LED's.