Dual Batteries on TDI / Optima

[Rugbier]

Is anyone running dual Batteries on a TDI?

if so, is anyone running Dual Optimas on it?

Thanks

[Red90]

I have dual Exide Orbital. Basically the same as Optimas. Search, there are thread on this.

[bharris]

Is anyone running dual Batteries on a TDI?

if so, is anyone running Dual Optimas on it?

Thanksyes and yes (red-tops)

[D90user]

yep. One red top and one big blue top for the house battery. Also have a hell roaring isolator.

What are you thinking?

[dmarchand]

Yes and odyssey.

[Best4x4]

national luna/ironman and 2 odysseys

[Rugbier]

yep. One red top and one big blue top for the house battery. Also have a hell roaring isolator.

What are you thinking?
I liked my set up ( on the 90 ) of Wrangler Ind . isolator with Yello and blue top

So before I do it I was looking for input.

[Ren Ching]

gustavo what are you running that you need dual batteries? does it power your camp setup? I've always wanted duals too but always managed to get by with just one.

I liked my set up ( on the 90 ) of Wrangler Ind . isolator with Yello and blue top

So before I do it I was looking for input.

[Hoosier]

I've got dual yellow optimas.

[rijosho]

I've got dual yellow optimas.
Seems like most people run one red (starter) and one yellow (accessories). What's the advantage to two yellows?

[Rugbier]

Dave,

Yes, will power the fridge in the trailer, plus ( don't laugh ) I am thinking to take a smaill tv for when we are camping *LOL*




gustavo what are you running that you need dual batteries? does it power your camp setup? I've always wanted duals too but always managed to get by with just one.

[woldd90]

A small TV? Can't live with out your Oprah?

[Hoosier]

"Seems like most people run one red (starter) and one yellow (accessories). What's the advantage to two yellows?"

Seems to work better for me. Have the same setup on my D110. I have never used blue tops, but I've had dual reds and one red-one yellow. Identical yellows seem to last longer in my hands. Also, they look better in my yellow 110 :)

[Overlander]

I have dual yellow tops. Everything I've read on dual battery systems say to run the same type of batteries together, and they should be of similar age.

[woldd90]

I have dual yellow tops. Everything I've read on dual battery systems say to run the same type of batteries together, and they should be of similar age.This is true unless you have an isolator... On my ST, I run two yellow tops, tied together. In my SW, I have the Wrangler NW system with a Redtop for starting and normal operations and a yellow top for the fridge, winch and lights.

Years ago, I ran a used Red and the Yellow that came with the truck, tied together and they lasted for over 3 years, at the time, I did not know any better and nothing bad happened.

[Rugbier]

A small TV? Can't live with out your Oprah?
Get it straight ..it is Jerry Springer *LOL*

[130Tdi]

Gustavo has done great things with this truck since I handed him the keys. What are you guys running that requires a second battery ? Tdi's only need starting amps and are load free. Gustavo's truck has a 1300w inverter. I went 2000w for the 130 but still have no plans for a second battery. School me. My offshore fishing boat has two 8d's and a group 40. I thought I understood 12v amp usage and am not getting the need????

[D90user]

My main need is camping. When running the fridge when it is hot out it drains quick. When I can get solar that is great but when you cant...
I also changed all interior lights to LED and that helped for hanging out at night.

[Manimal]

My main need is camping. When running the fridge when it is hot out it drains quick. When I can get solar that is great but when you cant...
I also changed all interior lights to LED and that helped for hanging out at night.

Steve, did you fit the LED's in the existing lamp housings? If so, what did you get that fits in there?

Follow-up Post:

I'm leaning towards getting the Dual Circuit System from West Marine: Add-a-Battery Dual Circuit System (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270541/377%20710/0/Blue%20Sea%20System%209001/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=Blue%20Sea%20System%209001&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Blue%20Sea%20System%209001&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=12106)

[D90user]

Steve, did you fit the LED's in the existing lamp housings? If so, what did you get that fits in there?


Yep. stock housings. Look at superbrightleds.com, just take yours out and it will be obvious.

I just remembered I was supposed to take pictures of the fuel filter for you... will do tomorrow!

[o2batsea]

Gustavo,
I approach this question as I would a boat. Having rewired several boats I have some experience with multiple battery installation and 12V power.You have different "banks" for your power needs. You have a start bank of course and also a "house" bank that you use for your accessory power needs such as winches, inverters, computers, audio, video, whatever. You will isolate those loads from the start load as you want to have the start bank be independent from your other loads so that no matter what you always have a full start battery.
In order to do this, you will want to wire all those items to a separate load system (with common ground of course) In order to charge the house battery, you will need a Yandina Voltage Sensing Relay which will "bleed" excess charging power from the house battery to the start battery. Why primarily charge the house battery? The start battery is only discharged for very short bursts and usually does not get run down appreciably. The house battery on the other hand may become deeply discharged as you use accessories without the engine running. Cycling deep discharges requires high power recharging when back on the alternator .
In addition to the Voltage sensing relay, you may want to consider a "smart" alternator controller (Balmar, Xantrex) which will automatically sense the needs of the battery and adjust alternator output accordingly.

I would suggest for your house bank that you use a marine deep cycle AGM battery such as the Deka Marine Master or the Die Hard Marine AGM. Either a Group 27 or even a 4D would be ideal for powering a winch or overnighting with lights, TV and Wii going full blast. AGMs will mount in any position (even upside down) and tend to last longer than spiral batteries in deep cycle applications.

Be sure to size your cables as big as you can. Minimum cabling for the battery leads will be 2 or larger. Genuinedealz.com sells marine grade wire, cable,connectors, and accessories for clean nautical grade installation. Let me know if you need further assistance.

[thewap]

Since my only considerations have been running my Xenons when needed and the superwinch, I recently converted back from two yellow Optimas running parallel to just one BIG Odyssey. (My second set of two Optimas in 4 years made me disillusioned with Optimas)

[Manimal]

I have a question related to Battery set up and TDI's. Currently my Aux electricity turns on at the same time the glow plugs turns on when I turn the ignition. This doesn't seem like a good idea. On my last camping trip I was using the 12v jack for external power but I wasn't too happy about having to leave the glow plugs on for that long. Shouldn't it be so that the aux electricity turns on a step before the glow plugs when turning the ignition?

Also, using the glow plugs. Option or Mandatory? I seem to be able to start just fine without them. Will I harm the engine by not waiting the 5-10 seconds before starting?

Changing the subject. Sorry.

[Red90]

Defenders do not have an auxiliary position. Wire the 12V sockets to unswitched power.

[o2batsea]

Will I harm the engine by not waiting the 5-10 seconds before starting?

It helps the engine to warm the glow plugs. Highly recommended. Prolly won't hurt unless you have poor stating in cold weather and sit there with the key turned all the way, cranking the engine with nothing happening...THAT will tear up your starter among other things.