Ultimate
Dual battery
systems
I have been an auto electrician for 20 years and have done several trips
around
- You need to be
able to start yourself, in case you flatten your main battery.
- You are going
to connect a constant power drain to your battery eg,
fridge etc.
- You may want
to run lights, radio, CD players and two way radios while stopped.
- You always
need to have a fully charged battery in case you accidentally flatten your
main battery.
Basically there are three types of dual battery
systems. I will list the pros and cons of each system as I go through them.
A battery switch,
that switches between battery 1 and battery 2.
This system works well although it is not fool proof because you have to
remember to operate the switch to allow each battery to charge. You will have
to select a battery for starting and you also need to remember to isolate your
auxiliary battery to stop both batteries from being drained causing you to have
two flat batteries.
A diode system,
this system uses diodes to isolate the two batteries, yet still allowing both
batteries to charge at once.
The main problem with this system although good in theory, is that all
the current to run your car from you cars alternator, is running through
diode’s, all diodes have a voltage drop across them so effectively you're
putting a resistance in the main battery lead from your alternator. The other
downside is that you can’t start off your auxiliary battery if your main
battery is ever flat.
A solenoid system,
this uses an electric solenoid (normally controlled by an electronic box) to
turn on and off the second battery for charging and starting.
This is proberly the most commonly used system
because like the battery switch system, you can start off your auxiliary
battery if needed. The problems with this system are you are connecting a flat
battery behind a charged battery which, because of the sensing nature of an
alternator, only allows the flat battery to receive a small amount of current
to recharge it. It also has the accessories running off the auxiliary battery
and starts off the main battery. If by chance you accidentally leave something
on overnight like an interior light or the radio you can have two flat
batteries. These systems also normally makes sure the main battery is up to
about 13.5 volts before connecting the auxiliary battery to be charged,
inadvertently this reduces the amount of current the alternator is producing to
charge the auxiliary battery.
The Ultimate dual
battery system
This system is a
hybrid of all the systems listed above. It takes only the advantages of each
system and combining them into one simple system. The main feature of the
Ultimate dual battery system is its simplicity and effectiveness to meet all
the requirements needed in a dual battery system, without any disadvantages or
any of the bells and whistles (electronic boxes to fail).
The Ultimate
dual battery system has a switch included that only needs to be turned on if
your main battery is flat. This effectively jump starts your car. Turn the
switch on, start you vehicle and turn the switch
straight off again, that’s it. Due to the internal circuits with the switch
left in the off position (where it should be all the time), the auxiliary
battery will always be fully charged and can not be
flattened and your main battery can be quickly recharged. In this system all
your accessories run off your main battery, this is so any power drained from
the battery can be quickly replaced because your alternator can sense how flat
your battery is and supply the right amount of current needed to quickly
recharge it.
System features
This system can be
installed by “almost anyone” in around 10 to 15 minutes it is the easiest
system to install by far, saving any installation costs. You simply connect the
correct, clearly marked lead to the appropriate positive battery terminal.
Your auxiliary
battery will always be fully charged and can never be flattened while the
switch is in the off position.
You only need to
operate the switch if you cars main battery is flat.
You can use the
existing power outlets supplied as standard in your vehicle.
The switch is
mounted under the bonnet. We recommend not to put down
your bonnet until you have turned the switch back to the off position after
starting. This way you can never flatten you auxiliary battery.
The emergency start
switch has a 12volts intermittent rating of 1000 amps for 15 seconds and continuous
rating of 175 amps.
The whole system is
sealed and insulated. It is suitable for boats as well as cars because only
marine grade products are used.
The system comes in
three convenient lengths to fit any vehicle or application.
Small
Medium
Long
With negative lead
Pricing in AUD and includes GST. Postage not
included
Small system,
approx 1 metre between battery positive
terminals $185.00
with negative lead $210.00
Medium system, approx 1.5 metres
between battery positive terminals $195.00
with negative lead $225.00
Long system,
approx 2.3 metres between battery positive
terminals $205.00 with
negative lead $240.00
Contact details
For any enquiries
or purchases please contact us at
Address Ultimate Wiring
Caldermeade
Images
The Ultimate Dual battery system
The small Dual battery system with a negative lead
All leads come
clearly marked for fool proof installation
