dual optima on tdi

[Rugbier]

I am putting dual batteries on my 200 tdi

shall I do

red/yellow
yellow/yellow ( 34/78
yellow/blue ( 34/78 - 34M )
blue/blue ( 34M )

yeah yeah yeah I know, do the search thingy.. but nowhere I was able to find that answer *LOL*

Thanks for the help

[evilfij]

Red/red

but that is just me.

[bharris]

I'm running red/red

[Wolf Fabrication]

I'm red/red too.

whisper (come get your trailer)

[Rugbier]

come install the cage *LOL*



I will .. I will ..maybe next friday after HH i'll take it


I'm red/red too.

whisper (come get your trailer)

------ Follow up post added March 12th, 2010 06:48 PM ------

Seriously, why the Red/Red.. I mean the Red and I assume we are talking Group 34, is a Starting Battery not deep Cycle.

I was leanning towards Blue 34M, same dimmenssion CCA, and less weight , plus they are Deep Cycle.

On my DII I used to run Dual Yeallows, on the D90 Yellow/Blue.. but was wondering if for the Tdi , something different was in line

[Wolf Fabrication]

I just like matching batteries, no reason in particular.

I MAY, MAY, drag the trailer to HH.

[Red90]

Depends what you are doing. If one battery is going to get drained such as winching or a fridge, it should be a deep cycle (Yellow or blue). Red is for starting and normal non draining use only.

[phoenix37]

Not to throw a fly in the ointment but i was doing red/yellow and now have a collection of spent red yellow batteries. Very happy with dual Odyssey 1500s.

[Rugbier]

Well I have a hook up with Optima so I pay next to nothing and if I were to have an issue, would be replaced at once, so I really want to stick with the Optimas

Now for the usage, yeah ..one will carry the winch and fridge..

but why not use another DC for cranking, I did on my D90.

So I guess I should reprase the question.

Is there any particualer requirement for using dual batteries on a Tdi that is differendt than the V8 petro?

[Red90]

No.

The other think as mentioned, if they are in parallel without and isolator, they should be the same battery in the same condition.

[rlynch356]

can we fit dual odyssey 2150's ?

looking at this with the hellroaring 75300a (any negetives here as well)

as usual total overkill stuff in my kit.

[Red90]

I have one of these. http://www.powerstream.com/battery-isolator.htm A lot cheaper than the hellroaring and does as good of a job.

[JFD]

Gustavo, are you running stock alternator or something else ?

[Rugbier]

Julien , Stock Alternator.

John, Yes it will be with isolation and mgmnt kit

[woldd90]

If you are going to run a battery manager/isolator, I would run a Red for starting and a Yellow for the fridge and winch.

[Rugbier]

Scott,

Thanks

Now the part that puzzles me .. If you look at the Specs on a Red Top and a Blue Top the CCA is same, and the Blue has a longer life discharging in case of no alternator , so what is the need of a Red Top with Dual Batteries?

BTW, seen tons of people running Red/Yellow and Red / Blue

[woldd90]

I think that this is a prime question for OptimaJim... A new member on this board.

[o2batsea]

If you look at the Specs on a Red Top and a Blue Top the CCA is same, and the Blue has a longer life discharging in case of no alternator , so what is the need of a Red Top with Dual Batteries?

G, forget about CCA. That number means absolutely zip. Look at battery weight and reserve capacity. Reds are like sprinters, quick output for short bursts, while the blues are like marathoners, in it for long duration.

If you get these things for free, then you should have a dual red for your start bank and dual blues for your house bank. If the TDi needs to be bled, you may flatten a single in no time leaving you in hot water. Doubling the battery bank not only increases the reserve it more than doubles the life expectancy. Finding room for them, priceless.

Install a VSR for charging the blues, and use marine grade wire and terminals all around. Recommend at least 2 or 0 G battery cabling. Run your winches and fridge off the blues.

The alternator should be able to handle the loads, but that fridge is gonna be the biggest draw. With the engine off and the fridge drawing down the batteries, you may not get a full overnight before the house bank goes flat, especially if you are running lights and stereo, and you'll have to start the engine to recharge them.

If you need a hand with installation, let me know. I have all the stuff for making cables and doing wiring. Boats, y'know.

[Red90]

so what is the need of a Red Top with Dual Batteries?

BTW, seen tons of people running Red/Yellow and Red / Blue

The red is just cheaper, that is the only reason.

[o2batsea]

Lots of advice here about battery bank isolation. I have done lots of research on this and believe me the best one you can buy is the Yandina (http://yandina.com/c100InfoR3.htm). Whatever you do, do not use a battery "isolator" or charge splitter.

[evilfij]

The red is just cheaper, that is the only reason.

And has a 3 year warranty v. 1 year on the yellow tops.

[Rugbier]

Bill,

Thanks for the offer ( I might take you up on it ).
I do not get the batteries for free but dirt cheap 80.00 no matter what I get ( except the 12" yellow is like 96.00 ).
Yes the fridge would be the only thing drawing overnight. I normally only run the lights ( incl the rear ones ) with engine running.
Not sure I will go all the way to 4 batteries, but dual for sure.

My inclination for the dual Blue was based on the long run as you put it as well as the double post on top, as when I had my dual Yellow/Blue, the double side post was uselless as the space under the seat was sort of limited with 2 batteries

Ron, the Blues have 2 years, but in the program I get them, they do double the warranty up to 4 years, so no matter what I get , I still get 4 years ( but that extension it is not transferrable )