Dual Battery system
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 21:03
ThreadID:
43997
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pauljohnston
Hi all, when I bought my patrool it already had a dual battery system installed,(good score, I know). The thing is we never actually use it. So I'm wondering if I can just take out the second battery and maybe electrical tape the leads so no shorts, and save myself the cost of dragging it around everywhere?
I have been told that the second battery must be in as good condition as the main cranking battery, or the second battery will drain the first, is this correct? I was told this my a mechanic who told me that I would soon have to replace my main battery and that I would have to relace both batteries or one would drain the other.
I don't think he was trying one on me for the sale of the extra battery, this is what he believed, but is he right?
Thanks for your thoughts
PJ.
Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 21:14
Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 21:14
PJ,
A lot will depend on what type of dual battery system you have.
Disconnect the active wire that makes the system work and that will stop any unwanted discharge. Tape the ends and remove the second battery.
If there is a isolator installed and it is a good one, one battery will not drain the other.
You could always ask the mechanic what dual battery system he/she is running in there vehicle and why he/she installed that type.
Wayne
AnswerID:
231698
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 09:21
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 09:21
Agree with Wayne's comments.
If the Isolator is anything other than a "dumb" solonoid, the two batteries will be separated from each other and draining one will not affect the other.
See if you can read a brand name/model no. on the Isolator box then you can search the Web for info on it.
Mate, if you already have the dual battery system installed, why not leave it as is.
You will not incur any noticeable "penalty" in "the cost of dragging it around".
"If it aint broke, don't try to fix it".
AnswerID:
231759
Reply By: Sickem - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 09:31
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 09:31
It depends on the type of dual battery system the vehicle is running, but a second battery that is dead will often shorten the life of the primary battery. Just removing the earth (negative) lead of the auxillary battery will do what you want and there will be no chance of a short, as long as the earth lead is kept away from the positive terminals.
AnswerID:
231760
Reply By: Mainey (WA) - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 10:25
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 10:25
Paul,
please tell us what type of battery isolator you have, and what brand/type of Cranking battery and also 'second' battery you have installed.
Then we can give you logical & relevant advice to your 'perceived' dilemma.
AnswerID:
231773
Follow Up By: pauljohnston - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:56
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:56
Hi all, the markings on the isolator say, Ingram, Redarc chargeguard battery is..."
Bothe batteries appear to be the same so it does not apper to be a deep cycle. But the brand is Yasua and has markings CCA600 and RC140, if that means anything to anybody.
I guess I was just trying to save myself the expense of buying two batteries, if I can get away with just buying one for cranking.
Thanks all for your comments.
PJ.
FollowupID:
492800
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 17:58
Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 17:58
Paul,
the battery is a Cranking battery of 600CCA with 140 minutes Reserve Capacity.
In simple english it's about an average Cranking battery, not Heavy Duty or small either.
FollowupID:
492943
Reply By: rihearn - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 14:18
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 14:18
Its not a 1990 white 4.2D SWB with tough dog
suspension, in
Sydney is it? If so it might be a Pirhana Mk2 with a Deep cycle battery as that was what was in
mine when I sold it a couple of years ago before moving overseas!!!!
AnswerID:
231824
Reply By: drivesafe - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:53
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:53
Hi Paul, I don’t know about you but I would not let a barber remove teeth, just like I wouldn’t get a mechanic to give you info on automotive electrics.
If your not going to use the dual battery set up, do as you planned and remove the rear battery but I would also suggest disconnecting the dual battery controller from the cranking battery, otherwise it will just be sitting there eating up power when the motor is off.
You don’t have to remove the DB controller, just make sure it’s no longer powered.
Cheers.
AnswerID:
231835
Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 17:34
Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 17:34
In a round about way your mechanic is right. If one battery was to fail then when the two were being charged it's possible it would drag the good one down. If you have no use for the 2nd one remove the entire dual battery system & sell it on ebay.
Cheers Craig............
AnswerID:
231852