Thread: Dual Batteries - got knowledge?

Hi gmeddy,

It would be a good idea to post a few pics, however, from your description it does seem that you have one of the old solenoid based setups. Unless it is a 'smart' solenoid system, it is nothing more than fancy switch to link the two batteries when the motor is running, and break the connection between the two when the ignition is switched off. This will give basic protection, in that your second or aux battery can be used for accessories with the motor off without running down your main cranking battery. ( Provided the accessories are only wired to the aux battery of course. )

If this is the system you have, they worked well for what they were, ( 6 or 7 years ago ) but are pretty limited compared to any of the modern setups.

do the photos show now?

Originally Posted by gmeddy

do the photos show now?

NO!

Try again.

Originally Posted by gmeddy

do the photos show now?

Did you use the "insert images" button or the "manage attatchments" button?

Cut-and-paste won't cut it.

And, oh, try the "preview post" button, it helps to spot mistakes.

i was linking them from a public storage site, but for some reason they just wont show up even after they appear in the preview window just fine!
anyway, looks like I'm going to have to upload... again...

And once again, I was mainly wanting to know if this is going to charge my second battery on the go after or during charging of my main battery and do I need to put in a big cable to join the two batteries earth posts together?
Thanks

Never knock the benefits of a good lump of earth cable! I would either hook the two earths together or run the second battery earth to where the main battery earth is bolted.

yeah i thought it might need it to charge the second battery properly or something, maybe it wont be getting charged at all? i've been watching the control monitor with the lights, and only the one (main) battery ever lights up more (13+ volts) as when charging.

I hooked up a nice new heavy cable from earth to earth on the two batteries and still it looks like it is not being charged when the engine is running.

Does anyone understand this or is it broken?

Should I expect to see the secondary battery lights go right up to the top like the Main battery does with the motor running?

this picture shows the charge of both batteries while the engine is running.



Even when I click in the Solenoid to join the two together - which is what I though would be needed to charge the second battery - the second battery does not get any extra charge, it's lights just drop another dot actually.