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2loud2k2xd
12-31-2004, 08:38 PM
-------note: when doing a dual battery set-up, you MUST!!! match up the 2 batteries (2 optimas, color doesnt matter). you cant use the factory battery and an optima together. i fried both my batteries and my 160 amp relay/isolator (but it took 2 yrs to do it).

ok, here it goes. dual battery DIY:
1) disconnect power from battery (under hood)
for the power wire
2) start with 1' of 0ga wire: attatch a 0ga wire connector to one end (this will bolt on to first battery post (+). the other end will attach to your circuit breaker. IMPORTANT: use a circuit breaker that can handle the load. i.e.; i use a 150 amp circuit breaker.
3) from the circuit breaker, run the 0ga to a relay, or an isolator. again: make sure the relay/isolator can handle the load. i use a 160 amp relay. i havent installed the isolator yet.
4) from the relay/isolator, run the 0ga thru the firewall. drill hole if needed. use a rubber grommet CAUTION: watch for hidden wiring when drilling
5) remove kick panels, and all other panels for where you will run wire to the back.
6)tuck wire into places where you removed panels and do so till the wire is in the back seat area. replace all panels removed
7) remove back seat. for ease of room to work.
8) run wire under back seat/or on side of seat to the back of the trunk area.
put back seat together
9)run the wire to the battery that you have placed in the trunk. i use r/f gold battery terminals for +/-. also these terminals have 2 wire inputs each.
1st for the wire from front of car/ 2nd wire goes to distribution block
for the negative wire:
10) using r/f gold batt terminal with 2 inputs, 1 0ga wire goes to a distribution block/ 2nd wire bolt to frame of car.
--i have a 5dr. battery is on pass side covering the little cubby/storage thing in trunk.
11) remove cubby thing in trunk, you will see a tube/hose there. this is the sunroof drain tube. pull up to remove from grommet at bottom of car
12) run 0ga negative wire thru existing drain tube hole. you may have to drill hole bigger so the neg wire will fit.
13) remove the large bolt on frame. theres one that looks like it doesnt do much. remove the bolt. sand to bare metal the area where the bolt was, als the underside of the bolt, sand that too. for proper ground.
14) use proper eye terminal. attatch neg wirte to bolt and replace bolt where you removed it. NOTE: use lock-tite on the threads and tighten! down.
15) you will need to drill a new hole for the drain tube. i drilled mine close to the stock place. NOTE: also use a new grommet for this.
i hope this helps.
pics under hood- the blue wire goes from the battery, to the circuit breaker, then to the relay, then thru the firewall to the battery in the trunk.
-keep powers running on opposite sides of car AWAY from rca and speaker wires. you will get feedback (humming/whining)
pic 1) car battery connection
pic 2) power wire from battery to circuit breaker
pic 3) power wire from circuit breaker to relay
pic 4) 2nd battery connections
pic 5) distribution blocks +/-
pic 6) 2nd battery ground to chassis
pic 7) drain tube relocation
-pics are a fuzzy on my puter. sorry
i need a new cam, badly. lol

KeWLKaT
12-31-2004, 08:45 PM
Thanks! It help lots.

2loud2k2xd
12-31-2004, 08:46 PM
:D no prob

only1db
12-31-2004, 08:51 PM
yeah in my excel i used a dual battery isoloater...and ran two batteries...great for just opening hte hatch and cranking it for hours!....then just start the car...

and if your primary battery ever dies...you always a have jump!!

2loud2k2xd
12-31-2004, 08:53 PM
exactly!! but i would never give anyone a jump tho with my car. sorry, power spikes/surges can kill

SuperGLS
12-31-2004, 11:02 PM
Wow, nice DIY. I wish there was some pics to go along with it.

2loud2k2xd
01-01-2005, 02:04 PM
pics up :)

jameswing
01-03-2005, 04:57 PM
At my work we stopped using Isolators at the beginning of '04 and swiched to Seperators. Of course we are using larger batteries(4D AGM), and powering more stuff, (2000W Inverters, Refrigerators, Microwaves). We use Sure Power (http://www.surepower.com/Products/batsep.asp Model: 1315-200 amp), and Blue Sea Systems (http://www.bluesea.com/product.asp?Product_Id=22756&d_Id=7458&l1=7458&l2=).

It will charge the "car" battery first then overflow to the "house". If the "car" battery is drained it will draw from the "house" when you try to start it.

2loud2k2xd
01-03-2005, 07:50 PM
sure-power is the same isolator i have(200 amp), but not installed yet. i do beleive both of these will work great with a high powered systems in vehicles.

mydog44
06-28-2007, 03:41 PM
thank

2loud2k2xd
07-04-2007, 09:33 PM
mydog, post up some pics when you get yours installed. im about to yank out my 0ga, circuit breaker and isolator and run just a 4ga for my component amp.

slow 2K2GT
07-07-2007, 12:04 PM
I still cant get over the amount of wire that is required here, not just lenght but in actual size. 0 gauge wire, wow Dave! I always run a length of 4 guage to the trunk when I get a car, just incase I ever choose to install a component amp...mostly becuase I like the battery in thet trunk though.

2loud2k2xd
07-07-2007, 12:19 PM
I still cant get over the amount of wire that is required here, not just lenght but in actual size. 0 gauge wire, wow Dave! I always run a length of 4 guage to the trunk when I get a car, just incase I ever choose to install a component amp...mostly becuase I like the battery in thet trunk though.


lmao, i have well over 16' of 0ga running my dual batt setup. and at 9.99 a foot, that adds up to quite a bit of cash just for 0ga wire. but my rca's were alot too. a 16' of 4ch competition monster 0noise was 225.00 and a 16' of 2ch of the same rca's were 160.00. woo hoo, im ghetto rich yo. lol spend it as i get it.

all my wiring may be going up for sale as soon as i sell this dayum amp!! tired of lowball fvckers trying to get a 1100.00 amp for 200.00. ill hang this dayum thing in my room for the bling factor before i sell for 200.00

slow 2K2GT
07-07-2007, 12:23 PM
Lowballers FTMFL, lol!

thedevilcried
10-19-2008, 02:27 PM
Very nice DIY 2loud2k2xd. I'm wondering what you use the relay for though. I have a limited understanding on electrical components. Do you use the relay to "power up" the trunk Optima only when the stereo Is on?