I'd like to rig my Yukon XL with a dual battery set-up. Any how to advise on such an arrangement?

Looking at the engine bay, it appears that there is enough space for battery #2 under the passenger-side hood hinge, by the firewall. Maybe twin Optima red tops, or a red primary and deep cycle yellow for the aux...

-Pete

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Prophet,

Summit, Jegs... maybe TByrne , sell dual battery isolators. Allows you to dedicate each battery to a different task and the alternator charges both.

There are different types, I just saw one that allows 24V for starting high compression engines, then goes back to 12V. Pretty wild !!

Pete,

I would at least get the GM dual-battery tray and mounting hardware (you also have to remove the existing semi-circular fender brace). You can then also identify and get the various GM electrical parts as well, or get a good dual battery isolator.

Be sure to go generous on the amp rating if you use a solid state (diode type) isolator and make sure it is fully compatable with your alternator. They used to be pretty generic, but now come in several make/model specific versions.

The Optima red or yellow top batteries are quite good, as are any brand of AGM (absorbed gas mat) battery. Go with the biggest that will fit.

Kewl, thanks, Rip

I do dual battery setups for emergency vehicle applications! Anyone still interested in doing a setup?

I don't use Isolators, only 200a continuous dute solenoid wired to the accessory funciton with an emergency boost push button. Another way is just stright to ignition to connect the batteries when ign is on.

Sean

Here's a drawing to get the idea...

Here's what the factory dual battery setup looks like.

A close up:

Rip, MobilEVT, and SS,

Any GM part numbers available? I'll swing by the local Pep Boys or Auto Zone and see if I can source the 200 Amp continuous duty solenoid and 150 Amp breakers.

Should I go with a larger alternator, and if so, does the larger alternator bring with it more parasitic drag?

Largest gauge wire possible, right?

-Peter

MobileEVT,

What I am looking for is more electrical power in my truck. I am loking at adding a PC, more screens and a DVD player. Probably be adding more audio in the future.

Would dual batteries help that? What other advantage does a dual battery setup have?

Would you be willing to help out a fellow locally? What is an approximate cost of upgrading to a dual setup?

If you plan on running your setup with the ignition off, the dual battery setup will guarantee starting reserve since the setup is getting power from the isolated 2nd battery. This setup that I do is precisely the setup used for emergency vehicle use when it is imperative that startup priority is always maintained.

When you use the dual battery setup, all your extra accessories will be wired to the second battery and not drawn drawn from the vehicle battery. If the accessories kills the 2nd battery, just start up and let the system recharge the battery. I would reccomend Yellow top Optima batteries or marine deep cycle batteries.

The approximate cost of upgrading to dual battery setup is somewhat in the area of $280 up to $360 depending on the battery. I do have all the materials needed to do the upgrade. You just simply need to get the battery tray & hold-down from the local dealer and the battery itself. I can supply finished 4g cables with copper end terminals, 200a solenoid, 150a manual reset breaker (optional), and a firewall guide rod (for routing battery cable across firewall area).

You can install this if you're handy or I could put it in for you. The setup listed above does not include power connections to the accessories, you'll need to bring the wires to it or run a seperate 4g thru a 150a resettable breaker to a fuseblock at another location.

This is what I charge for materials & assembly. It does not include labor to install. Installation only takes me 1 hour.

$120 for the solenoid, battery cables & firewall guide.
$165 for the solenoid, battery cables & firewall guide, and a resettable breaker.

Where are you located?

-Sean

I sent you a PM.

Just back in town.

Check your PM.

-Peter

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Prophet,

Check your PM.

-Peter