dual batteries

ChewyJ · January 18, 2002

I recently purchased a 1999 1 ton Chev crew cab 4x4, old body style. It has the extra hold-down for a second battery. I can't find any wiring for the second battery. Do you need to purchase this through Chevrolet?

I'm looking to put a camper on the truck, any suggestions on the type of battery I should get??

Thanks for any help...

-Jason

Heavy Cruiser · January 18, 2002

There is a battery tray on the driver's side, attached to the fender and radiator support. There is a ground wire coming from the rad support drvr side of rad at the top, might be a ground wire there from the lights, this would be battery ground.

Positive wire comes from an Auxiliary battery solenoid mounted on drvr fender between the washer tank and firewall. A red wire going from this to the positive battery post.

I would use minimum 10 gauge wire, 8 would be better, and the aux battery solenoid has an 8 ga wire for trailer/camper service on the same post of solenoid as battery, therefore, always drawing from aux and main battery left alone.

I would use an Interstate deep cycle for trailer/camper, works great in my application. The only pm I do is twice a year, tear apart the solenoid and clean the contacts, they do arc alot. Place an 19-22 volt zener diode across solenoid input to ground, with anode to terminal, cathode to ground, to reduce spikes caused by collapsing of solenoid field, your radio will love you for it.

If you have battery tray, I would say your truck came with Trailer towing package, therefore, wiring should already be in place, from aux battery system to wires needed for slide-in camper/fifth wheel trailer at the front of bed. All I had to add was plug and I was ready to play.