So right now i am running a winch but will be running some 100w KC daylighters.
So im thinking i should start working on a dual battery set up or should i just go with a optima battery? what is so great about a yellow top and what do thaey cost.... . If there super spendy ill just get 2 new batteries and run a dual set up, with an isolator and get a cone air filter system. Let me know..

 

IMO i think a dual battery setup is a better long term setup, able to handle more accessories and you can self jump start urself

 

x2

 

Good point. I guess maybe buy an isolator and and new battery and some cable it will be cheaper.

 

k so im gonna go dual... i just need help!!! where can i get my isolator with the 3 way switch!?

 

O'reillys has them. Not sure if it can handle the amps of a winch though.

 

I have dual battle setup,i only ever use the one tho when winching or running my lights. Duralast gold, I have two of those and a red top optimal. Hooked them each up and left my headlights and radio on to see which one lasted longer... I'm sure you can guess the Duralast won. It actually almost DOUBLED the optima.

 

Well im gonna read through your build but would you mind doing a mini write up for me on how you did your dual system ?

 

I dont have much time right now but here is a few OLD pics of how mine is setup, this was before i had decided which battery to go with and how i wanted to wire it, etc. ill post some recent pics up when i get a chance to go take them

Ripped everything out and cut up the fender well


Made a dual battery tray to house them side by side up front instead of one up front and one in the back where you have to run 2-0 gauge wire all the way through the car. Plus the shorter the wires, the less power lost through resistance.


Here it is with one battery before i wired up both, yes it does clear the hood.




The whole reason i did this was to gain more clearance in my wheel wells... decided if i was gonna relocate the battery that i would also go dual for my winch, rocklights, foglights, ARB pump, etc..


This is the write up i used to do mine
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...tery_setup.htm
Its virtually the same except i used a 3 way switch from painless performance (bought used from a friend for cheap) their are quite a bit of different switches to choose from. Some cheap some not...
As for optima's your lookin at about 200 bucks, and i personally do not like them at all.
For your application you may just wanna run two batteries in a parallel series... it will be much easier. Here is what i mean
http://www.zbattery.com/Connecting-B...es-or-Parallel
this way the load of the winch and lights will not drain your battery because you will have double the amp hours (longer amount of sustained power)

Good luck man

 

Alright so what is gonna be the benifit of me running in a parallel? Im not quite sure on this. I still get a 12v system but will my secondary battery still charge...? That is my main problem. I dont want my second battery to just die....

 

Your alternator will charge them both, they will both stay charged as one would normally. its basically like having a 12 volt battery with 2x the capacity. My buddy has his setup like this in his zj with 2 redtop optimas, he has a stereo pushin 2500 watts peak, 2000 RMS- cranked all the way up his volts dont drop at all and his lights dont dim at night driving around when the bass hits. You will have that same 12volts but it will last longer then normal. I just threw that out there cause you said you would only be running lights and a winch...

 

Wow alright i might go pick up a new battery and some cables tomorrow!

 

Okay so. now i am wanting to run an isolator since ive seen "exploding batteries". So now i am gonna buy the isolator kit but i dont know how to make it work..... looks like i need to find more info....

 

I found this http://www.12voltguy.com/product.php...cat=258&page=1