I have been running a second battery for a while now and have been very happy with the additional battery life. To see the write up on the second battery install, please click here: 2nd Battery and Washer Reservoir
When I installed the second battery kit I decided to wire it in parallel with the primary battery. This was a quick and easier solution for me at the time. Wiring it in parallel has worked well with the one exception. If the primary battery died, in most cases, the second would too. When both batteries died I had to rely on a jump from another vehicle or using a jump kit. |
After seeing his setup, I realized I had found my solution. Nathan offers a second battery install kit. It comes with everything you need, minus the battery. I already had the second battery and tray, all I needed was the isolation kit which Nathan provided. The installation process was simple and straight forward. The kit comes pre wired and ready to go. |
The most time consuming process for me was deciding where I wanted to mount the isolator.
My engine bay is cluttered and real estate is at a premium, especially on the passenger side. I am running the Shrock Works second battery tray (stock windshield washer location), Shrock Works windshield washer fluid reservoir (passenger side wheel well adjacent to air intake box), and sPOD. I decided to mount the battery isolator relay next to the washer reservoir. In order to do this, I had a special bracket made to hold it in place. We figured out the design and dimensions of the bracket and my buddy, who has a fancy laser, was kind enough to cut the bracket out of ABS plastic for me. |
After running the wire into the cabin, I pulled the radio faceplate and removed the circular security indicator and circular passenger air bag indicator. Like other people, I wanted to use those locations to mount the switch and voltage meter for the isolator. If you decide to mount something there too, but have never taken the faceplate or center switch panel off, it might look like a daunting task, but I assure you it isn't. Just have the right tools and beer! To see a "How-To" on removing the radio faceplate, please click here: Radio Faceplate To see a "How-To" on removing the center switch panel, please click here: Center Switch Panel |
Before cleaning up all of the wiring and putting the interior back together, I wired both batteries to the isolator and did a test of the system. What I didn't want to happen was clean everything up, do a test and realize I forgot to connect something. That would have lead to more beers (don't mind that), cursing (nothing new) and taking everything apart again (to lazy for that). |