Dual Battery Installation

[bdbake01]

Use an isolator, but not an electronic one unless your father in law owns an isolator factory and gives them to you for free. A standard Ford starter solenoid will do exactly the same thing and will outlast an isolator 20 to 1.

Not exactly, no. Two completely different devices that don't function the same in virtually any way.

[J-man67]

You wont be able to run a microwave by the way, you are going to burn the wires out unless it is on a dedicated wire to a dedicated inverter.

 

 

 

You probably tripped the breaker AND the fuse, I did that when I made the mistake trying to run a mini vacuum.

I didn't burn it out. Still works. Just wanted to try it.

[sdeeter19555]

No, the 2nd battery tray is unused on the 1500. There are dual battery options but are only available for the 2500 and up. It is a mystery why GM includes the tray on the 1500.

I guessed it was a structural piece?

 

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[txchevy4ever]

 

Does anyone make a kit for installing the second battery with cabling and isolator ready to go?

Yes,

 

http://www.atct-guardiansys.com/guardian-battery-backup-sys-wwireless-remote.html

[JasonAVGuy]

Here is the start of my second battery setup. All I need now is the cables and thats happening this weekend. Im using a Isolator with remote, Safety hub fuse block, post fuses and 2/0 Cable. Everything but the cable is from Blue Sea Systems. The system will be used for a few things including winch, light bars, and when off grid camping with the RV. The battery im using was one I had around at some point it will get changed to a new one with studs so im setting my cables up for that. For now im using post to stud adaptors to make it work. I have some deep cycle batteries that would be great to use but with out cutting the hold down bracket it wont work. Here are some Pictures.

 

[krdeal]

http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/dbcs

 

A little pricey but top quality.

[Debra in Cali]

Excuse my ignorance, but what would be the purpose of having a 2nd battery?

I am married to a rocket scientist that is related to Tim the Toolman. He installed a second battery with an inverter on my old Chevy Astro van. He did isolate it so that you had to switch it to use it for the main engine. It was able to do amazing things. If I had a dead battery, I flipped that switch and started my van. My sons could use the inverter to run their computer games or watch a DVD on our mini TV. (Only allowed on big trips) I did use a blow dryer to dry my hair and use my hot curlers on camping trips. If the battery died on our RV, He created a umbilical cable so thatwe could jumper it to the RV and use the second battery. ( but remember to pull the fuse on the RV battery to make sure it didn't drain the secondary battery). The battery was underneath, so it wasn't available to use to jump someone else's car. But when we install the second battery on my new truck, we will be able to jump another battery. Hubby will set it up the same way as my old vehicle. We are just trying to figure out where to put the inverter in my DC. We were thinking under the passenger seat. Anyone tried this yet???? We are a bit concerned about air flow and it overheating in that location.

[krdeal]

The isolator does what yours does without flipping a switch. It is an automatic device that isolates the second battery when the ignition is off. However, when the vehicle is on the alternator will charge both batteries, allowing for a true automated process. You would still run your invertor off of the second battery, and any device you needed to run. As for the mounting under the seat, I would go by how hot the invertor gets as to whether or not I would install it there. A small one would definitely be no problem.

[xelli]

I thought this was a pretty good write-up of the process:

 

GMC dual battery install

http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/gm-1500-dual-battery-install/

[krdeal]

I thought this was a pretty good write-up of the process:

 

GMC dual battery install

http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/gm-1500-dual-battery-install/

Nice. Thanks

[Impala_98]

It's been a few years since this post started any new kit available I am thinking about adding a second battery for my sound system

[CharlestonJoe]

I've been toying with idea myself. I would like to be able to plug in a power tool every now and then when I am working somewhere where a power source isn't available.

I did my own storage set up and would like to add a inverter off a second battery.

The storage set up pictured below I wish I would have done years ago. I love it.

[bsprtsgrp]

I just ordered the parts for installing a second battery if anyone needs the list. I already had the tray so that eliminated 5 of the 12 parts needed including the battery.

[Sierra706]

I just ordered the parts for installing a second battery if anyone needs the list. I already had the tray so that eliminated 5 of the 12 parts needed including the battery.

How much did it all run you

 

 

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[bsprtsgrp]

How much did it all run you

 

 

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$325.96 including the battery w/o the tray, support, nut & bolt for the tray

 

$498.68 with those parts.

Edited June 17, 2017 by bsprtsgrp