duel batteries for jackaroo

Submitted: Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 10:49

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ays

As you probably all know the '02 turbo diesel Jackaroo is supplied with dual batteries wired in parallel.

I want to split these to isolate them for use of a fridge, camp lighting etc.

I have purchased a Redarc battery isolator and as far as I can ascertain all I have to do is remove the wire connecting both positive terminals on the batteries and replace it with two shorter wires which are then connected to each side of the isolator switch. This seems too simple which makes me suspicious that there may be something I am missing.

I checked out Piranha and they recommend adding a third battery, but why would this be necessary. I understand that the second battery was added because people were having starting problems which was eventually proven to be oil pressure problems so do we really need the extra grunt they have provided after all? I've also been told that I will burn out my starter motor if I split the batteries but I can't see that this would be the case because I would be using less current on starting than I am now.

Why do the 4wd companies charge so much for their systems if it is as simple as what it appears to be. Does anyone know of any problems I have not taken into account. (voltage spikes are handled by the Redarc)

I would like to hear what other forum members think on this subject.

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Reply By: Banjo - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 13:21

Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 13:21

The Jack can be a bugger to start in cold conditions - plenty of posts here on that subject in the archives. The two batteries was GMH/Isuzu's way of getting out of some serious miscalculation in the injection design. They obviously don't give a hoot as to how much lead you have to carry around if you want to have a true aux battery setup. My 99 has one 700cca battery - works well, but might struggle in the very cold weather - I can then use an aux battery in the after market cradle. If you were to divorce the second battery completely, you could then simply follow the instructions closely for the Redarc......I use a Rotronics unit. Kep in m ind that the one battery (presumably 600cca will struggle as it gets a little older - only got 2 years from my just replaced unit - would be fine for my other cars I'm sure but the case is too big !)....at times, the Jack needs every one of those cca's.

AnswerID: 74351

Reply By: rolande- Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 20:57

Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 20:57

It is that simple to wire the Redarc, with a small cable to earth. the blue one marked "+'ve" can be routed through to a push button swtich on the dash, with the return line from the switch to the isolator on the side where the cable goes to the second battery, creating a circuit. When you push the button on the dash both batteries will be connected same as when wired in parallel so you have the original system in operation if hard to start. Just be sure to use cables that can handle around 300amps or it will be wasted. Hope this helps

AnswerID: 74378

Reply By: Tim - Monday, Aug 30, 2004 at 17:42

Monday, Aug 30, 2004 at 17:42

ays
I don't know where you live or what your experiences are with the jack but, if you go anywhere that could get below about 5 degrees you may have a lot of trouble strating it with one battery.
Holden chucked the second one in because of the huge problems they had in starting it in the cold, its like increasing the fuel tank capacity on a truck that chews a lot of fuel.
When I went camping inmy TD jack (99 model), parking my mates GU in front of it to jump start it became a daily ritual, it had twin batteries with one isolated for the fridge like you want to do.
The best thing may be to test the theory out by disconnecting the battery when you try to start it on a cold morning.
Tim

AnswerID: 74539

Reply By: Terryfied - Monday, Aug 30, 2004 at 20:36

Monday, Aug 30, 2004 at 20:36

ays,split my batteries using pirahna and living in Perth cold does not seem to be a problem with startingon the jack.I have a battery cable that joins the 2 positive cables together with a marine type isolator switch so that both batteries can be used together.As yet I have had no use for this.

Terry

AnswerID: 74567