Cole Hersee switch; how to use?
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 18:06
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texaspete
Hi all, before I posted this I did a search for Cole Hersee but couldn't find the answer I was looking for, which basically is... what is the theory behind using these dual battery systems?
I bought a Patrol recently that has one installed. I only got to speak to the previous owner briefly before he headed overseas so I didn't get the full run down on how I should be using it - just something quick that I promptly forgot in all the excitement of buying the dream fourby :)
Should I be leaving it on "1" all the time then switching over to "Both" while travelling; or alternating every now and then between "1" and "2" to even up the usage? The last couple mornings it seems a bit hard to start... like the battery is struggling. The first couple mornings I had the car it was cool as. I also ask because it would appear to be telling me on the switch not to operate it unless the vehicle is off? I have to double
check that detail...
I would have switched it over from 1 to 2 overnight, but then I might make myself late for work in the morning (and there are not enough hours in the day as it is). Same as leaving it in the car park while at work - I want it to start, and I work on the philosophy of "if you don't know, don't mess with it"
Any guidance or
feedback is greatly appreciated - cheers.
Reply By: Member - Charlie M (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 18:22
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 18:22
Hi
texaspete
1 means battery one
2 means battery two
can swap from 1 or 2 to both on the go no problem. If you go through off you will have to reset radio codes. If on normal running left on both would not normally be a problem. If you had a fridge hooked up to 2, turned over to 2 at knight would leave you with battery number 1 to start vehicle in morning. Sluggish battery starting could be faulty battery or just low charge if not turned onto that battery.
Cheers
Charlie
AnswerID:
215709
Follow Up By: texaspete - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 19:27
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 19:27
Thanks Charlie M. So I should be able to move between battery 1 and 2 without issue on a daily basis, as I am not running any accessories off it?
When I do hook up accessories, how do I know what battery I am running off? Or, is it a case of if the switch is on batt 1 then it's running off batt 1 and I should switch over to batt 2 the next day to start the car and vice versa?
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Follow Up By: Member - Hughesy (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 05:16
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 05:16
Pete had this setup before. If both batteries are the same type, then you can run off either. I used to have one deep cycle and the other a starter. Soon as I pulled up I'd switch to No 2 (the d/c batt) and when I went to leave in the morning I'd switch to No1 to start the vehicle and leave it on this for 15 minutes then switch to No2 for the rest of the day to recharge what was drained during the night.
Takes a bit of getting used to switching but it gives you full control.
I know have another vehicle and a automated dual battery charger.....but you never know what its up too....
FollowupID:
476125
Reply By: Sam from Weipa Auto Electrics - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 18:43
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 18:43
Or for ease of use upgrade to a ripper little redarc unit that does it all automaticaly those sort isolaters are for boats and control freaks.
AnswerID:
215715
Follow Up By: texaspete - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 19:33
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 19:33
Thanks Sam, I saw plenty of reference to these and another unit last night when I was searching the archives. I think for now since the whole thing is new to me I would like to get to know it, then see what I reckon. Maybe down the track.
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Reply By: troopyman - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 20:40
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 20:40
Well the first question i would ask myself is , are the batteries rooted . Buy 2 AGMs or if you are tight buy 2 of the old type exide extremes etc .
AnswerID:
215744
Follow Up By: texaspete - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 22:27
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 22:27
Good question. I can't remember what a good voltage is, but the aux battery is 12.65v and the main battery is 12.61v...
What are AGM's? Are they the deep cycle units? The original main battery is an exide, but I can't tell what the aux is.
FollowupID:
476065
Reply By: Thylacine - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 23:00
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 23:00
The salesmen never seem to be too far away.
All depends on how things are wired Pete.
A Cole-Hersey switch connects either/both batteries to one output. You need to
check what is connected to your output terminal (ie the one without a lead to a positive battery terminal).
Personally, I use a 100A solenoid to join my batteries once the alternator is charging and the engine oil-pressure is up. The C-H output goes to my winch.
Whenever the C-H is set to any position bar off, the batteries isolate and I can select which/both to use.
cheers
ed
AnswerID:
215785
Reply By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 23:26
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 23:26
a typical cole hersey isolates the negatives with the posatives of the 2 batteries joined. It doesnt matter what accessaries go to which battery as it will only draw from the battery which is selected or from (the exception is if an accesory is joined direct to the posative and negative termanals as this cercamvents the cole hersey)
I just flick the switch to 1 when pulling up for the night and usually strt and run on that battery for a bit before switching to both.
If you believe you have drained your selected battery or put significant drain n it then start on the other battery then charge your aux battery for a good while before switching to both
any battery not selected will also not charge
and for Mainys info I dont have to read instruction manuels etc to come up with an opinion this info is gained from using quite a few Cole herey equpd vehicles including my own
AnswerID:
215795
Reply By: Thylacine - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 00:51
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 00:51
This may be the case in some negative-switched vehicles, but I think you'll find most use the switch on the positive leg. Either way, it'll be the one terminal not connected to a battery.
A quick google gave a similar setup to what I use at Slee Off Road, see: Site Link
ed
AnswerID:
215804
Reply By: V8Diesel - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 13:42
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 13:42
First thing to do is
check it works and actually does isolate each battery.
Second is to work out what draws what from each battery. For example, some people like to use their second battery for the accessories like fridge etc. I don't and use battery No.1 for EVERYTHING, battery No.2 ONLY for getting me out of the poo. There is no hard and fast rule here so it's pointless unless you know where you're coming from right from the start. They switch negative's from memory so it is not a simple as you'd think.
I drive on two from time to time on long runs to ensure both are fully charged and hang something I'll need straight away (remote lock button) off one of the cables so I cannot forget to switch it back to battery one when I get out of the car. If you don't do this you will forget.
Works
well for me. Any setup that draws from both simultaneously defeats the purpose of dual batteries in my opinion. For example, using that wiring method if you leave you headlights and stereo (batt 1) on and the fridge too (batt 2) your stuck (a not unlikely scenario when bleep ). My way you're not. Each to his own though.
AnswerID:
215885
Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 14:34
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 14:34
Only if you pull up and leave it switched to both. Otherwise regardless of which battery your HF and fridge is conected to it will still only draw from the selected battery as
well as your headlights. so even if your fridge is connected to batt 1 it will only draw off of batt 2 if that one is selected as batt 1 earth is isolated
FollowupID:
476197
Reply By: texaspete - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 22:47
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 22:47
Thanks everyone for the input. I THINK I get the gist of it...! It's a bit sluggish to kick over on both batteries and I've since had an email from the previous owner enlightening me to the possible cause of the situation - grandad had the car a couple days to look after and said that the battery went flat on him, so he's not sure if he left something on or left a door open etc or that the main battery has a fault. I'll chase it up with an auto sparky me thinks. As I mentioned earlier in the post the volt readings around the 12.6v mark and from memory I think they should be over 13 to 14 to be good?
Can anyone recommend some good brand batteries??! Would like to get a decent deep cycle unit... And no, I'm not a tight bugger - especially at the bar! (Although I DO believe in smart spending if you can manage it ;) )
Thanks again everyone
AnswerID:
216040