I'm about to instal dual Optima yellow top batteries in my sweet young
bride's 06 Rubicon
(Kate).
My question is, do I run them paralell or do I seperate them out, using a
charging system
isolator, running the jeep on one battery and the accessories on the other?
Thanks
DougW - 23 Mar 2008 20:16 GMT
> I'm about to instal dual Optima yellow top batteries in my sweet young
> bride's 06 Rubicon
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> isolator, running the jeep on one battery and the accessories on the
> other?
Always use an isolator. It's safer.
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/dual_batteries_backup_battery/index.html
http://www.wranglernw.com/ShowCategory.aspx?categoryid=790

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DougW
Big Iron - 23 Mar 2008 20:51 GMT
>> I'm about to instal dual Optima yellow top batteries in my sweet young
>> bride's 06 Rubicon
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/dual_batteries_backup_battery/index.html
> http://www.wranglernw.com/ShowCategory.aspx?categoryid=790
Mike Romain - 23 Mar 2008 21:27 GMT
I am a firm believer in running an isolator. What good are two
batteries when you leave the lights on or something when setting up a
camp and both end up dead...
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com
> I'm about to instal dual Optima yellow top batteries in my sweet young
> bride's 06 Rubicon
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Thanks
Big Iron - 23 Mar 2008 23:07 GMT
>I am a firm believer in running an isolator. What good are two batteries
>when you leave the lights on or something when setting up a camp and both
>end up dead...
>
> Mike
Thanks Mike
Will Honea - 24 Mar 2008 06:36 GMT
> I'm about to instal dual Optima yellow top batteries in my sweet young
> bride's 06 Rubicon
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> isolator, running the jeep on one battery and the accessories on the
> other?
Biggest issue I have with the parallel setup is the charge problem - it's
hard to get two batteries with identical charge curves so one or the other
will never get a full charge or one will be over-charged and gassing badly.
The only advantage to a straight parallel setup is increased starting
current (max drain). Years back, I had a dual lead-acid battery setup in a
jet airplane where the batteries were paralleled for start then charged
individually. The switching system failed after start and the gas from the
over charged battery blew - left a large open hole in the nose. The engine
compartment of a Jeep is no where near as enclosed as this was and I'm sure
batteries have improved a bit in the last 45 years, but why tempt Murphy?
And like Mike said, direct parallel means BOTH batteries go dead at the same
time - oops!

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Will Honea
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Big Iron - 24 Mar 2008 17:33 GMT
> Biggest issue I have with the parallel setup is the charge problem - it's
> hard to get two batteries with identical charge curves so one or the other
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> same
> time - oops!
Thanks Will,
I agree with y'all, it's just nice to get a second opinion. I'll get a
charging system isolator
and get the alternator rewound to a higher output and set up the batteries
to seperate systems
one for the basic jeep and one for all of the accessories that seem to be
adding themselves
on at an amazing pace.
Thanks to y'all for your input.
Dick
jbjeep - 25 Mar 2008 04:20 GMT
http://www.wranglernw.com/ is who I used for the parts. Granted I used them in part
because I could go over to the shop and talk to them and pick the stuff up.
-jenn
>>> Biggest issue I have with the parallel setup is the charge problem - it's
>>> hard to get two batteries with identical charge curves so one or the other
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>>
>>Dick
jbjeep - 25 Mar 2008 04:16 GMT
I run mine with an isolator.
Jeep is running = both charge, aux only pull from the yellow top
Jeep is not running = aux all use the yellow top, starting uses only the red top
All I have to do is remember when I run the red dead is to swap their positions and
start using the yellow. Or, do what I did last time that happened and get a jump
start.
-jenn
>>I'm about to instal dual Optima yellow top batteries in my sweet young
>>bride's 06 Rubicon
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>>
>>Thanks