ROLLINGTHUNDER

10 months ago (edited)

We add aux battery systems frequently on patrol cars. The long ground connecting
the 2 batteries is not needed. Keep the factory ground and add a short chassis
ground to the aux battery. That way you only have 1 long (positive12v) cable. What
is most worrisome is that there is no protection. Put a resettable breaker between
the two batteries, close to the primary battery. Then also put a breaker or maxi-
fuse coming off the aux battery to where it distributes to your goodies. Also, run
the 12v cable along the fire wall not the core support. The firewall is further
away from impact areas and the core support is in the most direct impact area. The
way it is now, a front end Collison could pinch the wire and with no breaker at the
source,,,, Kabloooey! For isolation, we use a basic automotive solenoid triggered
by a factory ignition sense to connect/diconnect the batteries. This joins the 2
batteries when motor is running and allows charge to both. With the ignition off
your goodies only pull from the aux battery and the start up battery keeps max
cranking amps. So if the aux battery dies, no problem, start the engine and
recharge both. If the two batteries are constantly joined you could drain them
both. Hope this helps.