Dual Battery Setup - TundraTalk.net

nyrbyllek · 06-15-2010, 08:59 AM

Ok, so I searched and found nothing, so i thought i would just ask. I am putting together my plans to do my new audio setup and I would like to use 2 batteries. I didn't see any posts about it, so I wanted to get some input on what some people thought about it, and to see if anybody has installed a second battery. Thank you!

Tundra5-0 · 06-15-2010, 10:02 AM

As far as I know you would be the first. I have never done one before, good luck.

Dexxx · 06-15-2010, 10:51 AM

Two or more batteries is normal in a power hungry audio system. When the bass hits very hard it stabilizes the voltage.

Two batteries can be done, I believe Marky Mark has two or more batteries. The type and quality of the batteries are key though.

Toxarch · 06-15-2010, 02:30 PM

Someone stuck a second battery near the ECU plug. I'd build a bracket and mount the second one under the truck.

TRENT310 · 06-15-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toxarch

Someone stuck a second battery near the ECU plug. I'd build a bracket and mount the second one under the truck.

Yeah, chassis cabs have the battery mounted on the frame under the body.

smmiller506 · 06-15-2010, 04:47 PM

I've heard that the regulator on the altenator is capped at 13.8 volts, not 14.4, so don't use a battery isolator as it will drop your voltage down to 13 to 13.1 volts. Run the batteries in parallel (connect the two positive battery posts together, and the two negative posts together, use actual wire to connect the negatives together and not the frame) and use 2/0 or even 4/0 gauge wire. 1/0 could be used, but if you are doing a high-wattage audio system, then go with the larger wire for safety. Another reason to use the larger wire is that without the battery isolator, your engine starter will pull from both batteries at the same time, so the wire will have to stand up to a high peak currents.

Telos · 06-15-2010, 05:42 PM

Well since noone mentioned it: add a high output alternator. I'm sure you already have a capacitor lined up as well. A battery tender wouldn't hurt either, C-Tek makes a few nice ones. Since you'll probably daisy chain them, one will suffice.

Marky Mark · 06-15-2010, 08:20 PM

I have a second battery underneath the rear of the truck behind the rear wheel. Will be posting pics eventually of it as it will be used mainly to run my air compressors for my AirRide...Will be adding a 3rd one eventually once I get back to increasing my stereo setup later in the year. I have an isolator too so that the back battery is seperate from the front when the truck is off..That way you will not drain the front starting battery.

Brian · 06-15-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telos

Well since noone mentioned it: add a high output alternator. I'm sure you already have a capacitor lined up as well. A battery tender wouldn't hurt either, C-Tek makes a few nice ones. Since you'll probably daisy chain them, one will suffice.

Don't all the Tundras from southeastern toyota dealers already come with the cold weather package and a pretty beefy alternator ? Does it need more than it's got ?

nyrbyllek · 06-15-2010, 11:09 PM

Thanks for the input, I think I'm going to just use one battery for now because I don't plan on running a crazy powerful system, but i know that a few friends of mine reccomended it because when their bass would hit, their headlights would dim at times and on coming traffic thought they were flicking their lights at them (I found that part pretty comical). Anyway i will keep all the advice in mind, thanks alot.
P.S. I will be running a capacitor regardless.

smmiller506 · 06-15-2010, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyrbyllek

Thanks for the input, I think I'm going to just use one battery for now because I don't plan on running a crazy powerful system, but i know that a few friends of mine reccomended it because when their bass would hit, their headlights would dim at times and on coming traffic thought they were flicking their lights at them (I found that part pretty comical). Anyway i will keep all the advice in mind, thanks alot.
P.S. I will be running a capacitor regardless.

Bigger alternator or dual alternators (haven't seen that though) will help with that.

hollatchaboy · 06-16-2010, 01:11 AM

Please post pics of the second batt, Mark! I plan on doing 3 or 4 batteries for my setup. Should act as a nice leveling kit for me

Telos · 06-16-2010, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stealth2010dbl5.7

Don't all the Tundras from southeastern toyota dealers already come with the cold weather package and a pretty beefy alternator ? Does it need more than it's got ?

Well I'm pretty sure mine didn't. But to keep 2 batteries charging properly, a high output alternator (just one) will put out twice the power as the OEM. DC alternators has one that is 3 times the output (he said that usually only the pros need that for their SPL competitions). You also have to upgrade the wiring as well and or course the belt. But I'm sure a capacitor will handle all the bass.

BTW most people don't need 2 batteries or high output alternator. But once you get one, you'll need the other. I would recommend the OP get a stronger battery. My lights (currently 6 pairs of HID, halogens are more power hungry) would kill the OEM, put in a similar size Optima. The volts raised slightly, had to move to a larger one. Now no problems, but as the setup grows will move to a dual.

1SIKTUN · 06-16-2010, 05:53 AM

My AV guy will be installing dual Kinetic batteries once I return to the U.S. Will keep ya'll posted.

Marky Mark · 06-16-2010, 06:39 AM

^^Kinetic are nice batteries!