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03-01-2003, 11:37 AM
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#1
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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3rd battery for less than 10 bucks
hey gang,
here is my latest project.
i have a 2500 silverado 4x4 with the "snow plow prep package" it has a 2nd battery with a relay installed from the factory.
i decided to put it to use finally, to have more reserve battery power when boondocking.
the materials from ace hardware, less than ten bucks.
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03-01-2003, 11:39 AM
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#2
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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under the hood...
this is the placement of the batteries
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03-01-2003, 11:40 AM
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#3
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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relay
and this is the relay
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03-01-2003, 11:41 AM
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#4
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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wire
running 10 ga wire
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03-01-2003, 11:44 AM
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#5
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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fuse box terminations
this is a pic of the fuse box termination and the no longer needed 30 amp fuse.
the aux battery is fused with a 40 mega fuse.
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03-01-2003, 11:46 AM
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#6
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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install complete
new wire terminated, old fuse removed
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03-01-2003, 11:48 AM
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#7
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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bam! done!
testing brakes and interior lights with no batteries installed in the trailer.
john
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03-02-2003, 08:29 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 917
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Nice Job!!
John,
Nice job!! Are you going to put in a deep cycle after this one dies of old age?
John
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03-02-2003, 08:43 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member 
Richardson
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 126
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John HD-A little off the subject, but what is that thingy on your electric jack? I might need one for my Airstream. 
I have a Duramax with 2 batteries and am going to see if mine has that relay also. Great idea! 
__________________
'99 25' Safari
2 Honda 2000i generators
'08 Chevy Duramax
'01 Yamaha Raptor ATV
'07 Yamaha Rhino ATV
2 burgler alarms: Rotweiller and Shepherd
"If you step down to get in, you have to step up to get out"
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03-02-2003, 11:59 PM
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#10
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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john
hadn't thought about that, i have "regular marine" batterys in the trailer. i'll probally replace it with one like that with the exception of needing a side terminal design. all four are 650 cca.
raptorider,
the thingy is my flag pole bracket.
a second battery on a duramax is most likely used for the glow plugs and starting. unlike mine.
you could add a battery isolator, but i don't think it would help in your case because your batteries are wired in parallel to the starter.
a duramax would by design, already supply current to the 2nd post in the fuse box by both batteries.
john 
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03-03-2003, 06:37 AM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
1972 31' Sovereign
High Springs
, Florida
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,311
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I did roughly the same thing....
I just came off the + post of the 2nd battery and ran it through a small 30 amp breaker, then out the existing wiring harness to the trailer receptacle. Mine also has the isolation relay. On thing I am wondering, if one were to run both the trailer battery and truck aux battery down, what would the draw be on the main truck battery when attempting to start the truck. That relay energizes when the ignition is on, to facilitate charging the 2nd battery. I would guess that 40+ feet of #10 would limit the current. Has anyone calculated the voltage drop?
John, better get that rear license plate taken care of before the cops see it! 
__________________
ARS WA8ZYT
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce!
Air # 283
WBCCI 1350
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03-03-2003, 06:52 AM
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#12
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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Thingy on jack
Quote:
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John HD-A little off the subject, but what is that thingy on your electric jack? I might need one for my Airstream.
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That is a flag holder. A previous owner was undoubtedly an officer in WBCCI; probably a Past President. The 3 flags displayed are US, Region or Unit, and Officer's flag.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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03-03-2003, 06:58 AM
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#13
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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resistance
pick
if the second battery was run down and you turned the key on the good battery would start to charge it. kinda like jumpstarting a dead battery. but when you turn the key to start the resistance of the battery would be much more than that of the starter. this would mean that most, if not almost all of the current from the good battery would go to the starter.
i'll have to try it and see!
as for the resistance of 40 feet of #10, i'll have to look that up.
i'll get my plate fixed asap! don't want to get hassled by the man!
john
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06-02-2004, 12:02 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 279
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Hey JohnHD it has been a year since this thread. How did it all work out? Any updates or problems encountered ?
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06-02-2004, 05:55 PM
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#15
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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none plus!
hey jaco
no problems, got the added side benefit of having the overhead lights in my wells cargo available for loading unloading at night!
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
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06-02-2004, 06:07 PM
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#16
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by john hd
hey jaco
no problems, got the added side benefit of having the overhead lights in my wells cargo available for loading unloading at night!
john
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So, where did you mount the flower pot?
Terry
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-02-2004, 06:09 PM
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#17
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by argosy20
So, where did you mount the flower pot?
Terry
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got reused this year, have peas in it right now!
good one!
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
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09-17-2007, 07:02 PM
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#18
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Ham KI4HJX
1982 27' Excella
1970 23' Safari
Franklin
, 28734
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 126
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I have a 2002 Duramax HD with two battries last weekend while staying in the Smokies my truck failed to start the next morning. Had to get it jumped off. There is a nite lite in the bathroom cabinet I just now found out how to turn it off. You would think that three batteries would last for some time, the ones in the truck are five years old may be about gone? I think I will install a dual alternator kit and go to gel batteries.
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09-17-2007, 07:34 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
Richardson
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 126
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Ramp- I had the same thing happen on my '02 Duramax. Don't know if it will help or not but you might take a look. The battery cable on the passenger side was corroded on the inside where you could not see it. Take it off and remove the center part and give it a good cleaning in baking soda. Use a wire brush to clean the posts, etc. I bought new batteries thinking that was the problem. Of course, at 5 years, you are probably on borrowed time for the batteries. This has been two years ago and I am still runnning the OEM in my boat.
__________________
'99 25' Safari
2 Honda 2000i generators
'08 Chevy Duramax
'01 Yamaha Raptor ATV
'07 Yamaha Rhino ATV
2 burgler alarms: Rotweiller and Shepherd
"If you step down to get in, you have to step up to get out"
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