Split charge or parallel

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Sorry to sound like a dumbass, I dont know much about dual battery setups.

If you run 2 batteries in parallel they will be both charged by the alternator, although if they are seperate is the 2nd generally (used for winches/lights etc) also connected to the alternator via a seperate connection or just charged when low??

Are there any benefits of a seperate 2 battery system, or does it simply to ensure that even after winch/light use you can still start on the main battery??


Cheers

Ollie
 
olmasters said:
Sorry to sound like a dumbass, I dont know much about dual battery setups.

If you run 2 batteries in parallel they will be both charged by the alternator, although if they are seperate is the 2nd generally (used for winches/lights etc) also connected to the alternator via a seperate connection or just charged when low??

Are there any benefits of a seperate 2 battery system, or does it simply to ensure that even after winch/light use you can still start on the main battery??


Cheers

Ollie
Click to expand...

It is charged by a split charge relay. When the main battery is fully charged the second battery then gets charged. This means that the batteries are both charged seperately so you have a better chance of having a charged battery to start your vehicle.

Running in parallel means that if you have one good battery and one rubbish battery the rubbish battery will drag the good battery down. This is why it is worthwhile isolating it when the vehicle is not running and/or the battery is fully charged.

It is a matter of personal preference and understanding the pro's and cons of each system that dictates which method you use.
 
That ain't strictly true.
Wot normally happens is that a relay disconnects the auxilary battery until the alternator is charging. The alternator can then charge both batteries.
 
on the ones where the relay is triggered by the alternator lamp wiring - starting is carried out by the master battery, then when the lamp wiring drops to 0v, the relay is triggered and connects both batteries together, so that charging is carried out on both. As can be seen below....

splitcharge1.jpg
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
on the ones where the relay is triggered by the alternator lamp wiring - starting is carried out by the master battery, then when the lamp wiring drops to 0v, the relay is triggered and connects both batteries together, so that charging is carried out on both. As can be seen below....
Click to expand...

That would also mean that draining them both is carried out at the same time?:confused:

The ones I get to deal with on ambulances are isolated and switchable so only one battery at a time will be drained.
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
only if the engine is running - which should been they are being charged.
Click to expand...

In the event of an alternator failure they are able to switch between batteries and only one at a time will be drained.

I fitted a split charge system to my first truck to power beacons and spot lights when I had to turn the engine off but still needed lighting. This worked fine but when I used the electric winch It would drain the battery in a very short time meaning that I had to isolate the system every time before I started winching.

Ambulances can only drain one battery at a time.
 
I dint say that was the ideal answer, only that is how a lot of the low cost split charge systems work. It can be wired though a switch if preferred.

splitcharge2.jpg
 
I'm thinking of using a boat type 2 battery switch when I kill my current truck size battery and replace it with 2 batteries. I wanna find out how exactly the ambulance systems works first cos they seem to have it sussed.
 
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