two batteries
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Kluckin Around
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- Real Name: joe
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two batteries
to hook up two batteries,do you need to run an isolator ? or when isolator is hooked up do they run together when needed? or always separate ,or does the car start with one and the amp use the other?
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Shaft
Hi Kluck,
The purpose of an isolator is to use one alternator to charge two batteries that are powering 2 different electrical systems. In one example you could use 1 battery for your big radio and amps, and then other battery runs everything else in the car. This way if the big radio amplifier goes bad, then you can still start your car.
If you are going to be running your radio with a lot of power, with the engine shut off, then this is the way to go. If you are going use your big radio with the engine running, then an isolator isn't necessary and you can just run the batteries in parallel.
The purpose of an isolator is to use one alternator to charge two batteries that are powering 2 different electrical systems. In one example you could use 1 battery for your big radio and amps, and then other battery runs everything else in the car. This way if the big radio amplifier goes bad, then you can still start your car.
If you are going to be running your radio with a lot of power, with the engine shut off, then this is the way to go. If you are going use your big radio with the engine running, then an isolator isn't necessary and you can just run the batteries in parallel.
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Kluckin Around
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- Joined: February 27th, 2007, 3:29 pm
- Real Name: joe
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two batteries
hey shaft with the batteries in parallel does it double cold cranking amps and if reserve is 120 on each battery it doubles as one big 12 volt battery, or maybe just run a big optima deep cycle battery and I will be fine since I will e talking while the car is running any way?
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Shaft
If you are running two batteries in parallel, then YES the cranking amps doubles. If you are going to run an Optima Deep Cycle, remember that battery is designed specifically to be run down to empty and then recharged again. If you are using those in a dual battery set up, you need to do it like this.
Red Top Optima - Main
Yellow Top - secondary
USE an isolator.
If you are just going to parallel 2 batteries, then run 2 red tops. DO NOT run 2 yellow tops parallel. A yellow top isn't a good battery for everyday applications. I have seen so many of them fail like that, included my own cars, my brother's truck, and some show cars I've built.
Red Top Optima - Main
Yellow Top - secondary
USE an isolator.
If you are just going to parallel 2 batteries, then run 2 red tops. DO NOT run 2 yellow tops parallel. A yellow top isn't a good battery for everyday applications. I have seen so many of them fail like that, included my own cars, my brother's truck, and some show cars I've built.
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T2W
I ran yellow tops for years in my blazer and suburban for the starting battery. Never had one fail.Shaft wrote:If you are running two batteries in parallel, then YES the cranking amps doubles. If you are going to run an Optima Deep Cycle, remember that battery is designed specifically to be run down to empty and then recharged again. If you are using those in a dual battery set up, you need to do it like this.
Red Top Optima - Main
Yellow Top - secondary
USE an isolator.
If you are just going to parallel 2 batteries, then run 2 red tops. DO NOT run 2 yellow tops parallel. A yellow top isn't a good battery for everyday applications. I have seen so many of them fail like that, included my own cars, my brother's truck, and some show cars I've built.
