2nd Battery

[rideblue00]

What do I need to do to add a second battery for running a plow setup? I have a 98 K 1500.

[95 S_Trucker]

Is your truck equipped with a second battery tray? or an underhood storage box? You will need a second battery tray(for the driverside) a battery hold down wedge, and a bolt to hold the wedge down. You will ned a second battery( I prefer side post to match the other). You will need some cable and cable lugs. You will need battery terminal extenders for your main battery. You can also use them at the second battery. I wired my second battery in parallel with the main battery. I ran the cables accross the top of the fans shroud. I have 2 78 series batteries.

I did this on my 99 K2500(old style) when i had a plow on it.

The deka part number for the externder is 00543(regular style) and 00542(short style)

[Mr_Rich]

I installed a second battery in my K1500 back in the day when those parts were still available over the counter. There's a relay (next to the washer bottle) with wiring that ties in to my main connector under the dash. I suppose you could still find an isolator if you wanted to run your battery separate from the main.

[sctrailrider]

Find a diesel truck around the same year give or take, they all have 2 batteries and take the tray it should bolt right up...

[rideblue00]

I have the tray, was wondering about the harness. Pics?

[rideblue00]

Anyone have some pics?

[speedygonzales]

http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/gm-...tery-install/#

[rideblue00]

Thanks man, best write-up ive seen yet!

[95 S_Trucker]

That write up is for 2007+ trucks. There's no need for an isolator on a plow truck, since the majority of the electrical load happens when the truck is running.

[abig84]

on my 86 i just run them in series so its basically just like one giant battery. figured why not since i had two battery trays already in it, although its a little easier on those trucks as the batteries are right next to each other.

been tossing this idea around for my 1990 too

[rideblue00]

Isnt the isolator for keeping one battery from discharging the other?

[Mr_Rich]

Originally Posted by abig84

on my 86 i just run them in series so its basically just like one giant battery. figured why not since i had two battery trays already in it, although its a little easier on those trucks as the batteries are right next to each other.

been tossing this idea around for my 1990 too

Are you sure about that? Do you have a military truck rigged for 24V? If not your truck would've gone up in smoke. Some RV's have 6V batteries run in series for 12V with extra amperage for appliances, etc. In series you double the voltage, and in parallel you double the amperage. It doesn't add up exactly like that since you also have resistance within the battery itself, but that's the basic idea as I understand it.

I optioned my truck with stock dual batteries when the parts were still available. I use the second battery for jump starts in addition to isolated accessories to protect my main electrical system.