Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

adding extra batteries for running electrics whilst car is off.

STEEV888

New Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
307
Reaction score
3
Points
0
Age
33
Location
central coast
Members Ride
'95 200sx.
story: i work in my car all night as a security guard and i play my laptop and listen to music, but i am forever forced to run my car to keep the battery charged and there has been times it has died and i have needed to jump start it.

i want to add another battery (or 2) first: i know there are different types of batteries that dont have high cranking amps but can cope with being continuously depleted and recharged should i go for these and what are they called ?

and should i wire 3 up in parallel off the first battery (if its possible) or put in a switch that swaps to the backup batteries.
if i put in the switch how does it work and does it charge all batteries at the same time or only those selected ?

things i like to have in my car
power inverter that charges my laptop and also powers a heater when its freezing and my music etc, but if this turns out well i may even put in a tv and gaming console.

car is a 97 excel.
if you say "i should be working and not playing etc" i sit in front of gates for 12 hours a night its not exactly something i need to be constantly alert about.

thanks!
 

wraith

Hand over the dog bikkies
Joined
Sep 17, 2008
Messages
5,014
Reaction score
117
Points
63
Location
Demonicaland
Members Ride
VX V6 Berlina. 2003 VW Passat
Get a better battery for a start and go from there.
 

Brett_jjj

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
6,805
Reaction score
108
Points
48
Location
Tamworth NSW
Members Ride
vs commodore
The batteries you need are called deep cycle batteries and can be constantly drained ,then recharged, and it doesnt effect them or bugger them up..Id see a 4WD specialist about the system you need to set up so the spare battery gets charged up from the alternator,along with your normal battery.You may find that you will need to fit a heavier duty alternator to cope with the extra load..
 

kcpwns

Kicker - Livin' Loud :)
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
606
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Location
Shepparton
Members Ride
VY V6 Equipe
optima d34 yellow top i think VKC sells them or something??
deep cycle...can deplete them and recharge em super quick...
 

wraith

Hand over the dog bikkies
Joined
Sep 17, 2008
Messages
5,014
Reaction score
117
Points
63
Location
Demonicaland
Members Ride
VX V6 Berlina. 2003 VW Passat
Granted it's not what you asked but by stating you needed more batteries it is obvious your auto electrical experience is lacking. Wonder how your boss feels if your all cozied up in your car watching tv or playing games while on the job? Perhaps ask the boss for some facilities before spending your own money.
 

PRAVX II S

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
918
Reaction score
7
Points
18
Location
Australia
Members Ride
Commodore
story: i work in my car all night as a security guard and i play my laptop and listen to music, but i am forever forced to run my car to keep the battery charged and there has been times it has died and i have needed to jump start it.

i want to add another battery (or 2) first: i know there are different types of batteries that dont have high cranking amps but can cope with being continuously depleted and recharged should i go for these and what are they called ?

and should i wire 3 up in parallel off the first battery (if its possible) or put in a switch that swaps to the backup batteries.
if i put in the switch how does it work and does it charge all batteries at the same time or only those selected ?

things i like to have in my car
power inverter that charges my laptop and also powers a heater when its freezing and my music etc, but if this turns out well i may even put in a tv and gaming console.

car is a 97 excel.
if you say "i should be working and not playing etc" i sit in front of gates for 12 hours a night its not exactly something i need to be constantly alert about.

thanks!

Get another battery and parallel it with the factory battery. You will need a solenoid to isolate the secondary battery from the
primary battery.
You can wire it 2 ways when the IGN is turned on the solenoid will cut in both the batterys. Or you can cut in both the batterys only when the car is running.
I am guessing you only use ACC when you are using all your goodies if so then the IGN way will be easier for you
 

bcw61

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
357
Reaction score
18
Points
18
Location
Northern suburbs of Adelaide
Members Ride
VZ 2005 Executive Wagon
Get a better battery for a start and go from there.

Granted it's not what you asked but by stating you needed more batteries it is obvious your auto electrical experience is lacking. Wonder how your boss feels if your all cozied up in your car watching tv or playing games while on the job? Perhaps ask the boss for some facilities before spending your own money.


And judging by your first response, it seems obvious your auto electrical experience is lacking as well.

Exactly what is meant by a better battery? Higher capacity, higher reserve current, deep cycle, SLAB, NiCad, etc? Adding a second (or more if required) battery, correctly set up, could be a possible solution for the OPs situation.

BTW, just getting a higher capacity or 'better' (your words) battery for the existing battery may not necessarily be an option, due to the location, terminal arrangements and/or space constraints.
 

axemurderer101

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2006
Messages
1,937
Reaction score
189
Points
63
Location
Albany
Website
forums.justcommodores.com.au
Members Ride
VY SS
id recommend something like this
Battery-Related Products | Battery Selector/Master Disconnect SwitchesM-750 | Cole Hersee - Littelfuse

you may need an auto electrician to install it for you.
the way we fit these where i work is you mount the battery or batteries somewhere in the car (probably the boot for you) then you just link all the positives of all batteries together with some heavy duty cable, then at the switch which has 3 terminals you run a heavy duty cable from one terminal to the engine block/body, another cable from the 2nd terminal to your original battery (you must remove the original cables off the battery) then from the 3rd terminal you run a cable to the negative terminal of your extra battery or batteries. With this setup you have to remember to switch it to position 2 when you are at work so you don't drain your main battery.

I would also recommend a 240v battery charger like a Ctek which you would connect to your extra batteries and have them charging them when you finish work, that way if you work every day the batteries will be charged when you go back to work.
 
Top