3 batteries

[nick t]

This has probably bben covered before but one of my mates wants to put 2 batteries in his vehicle and one in his van (3 in total).I have connected dual batteries in a couple of my fourbies but don't know where to start with 3 other than putting 2 in parallel.I reckon this could cause drama's and have been advised before by the profesionals not to attempt it as it could leave me stranded with 3 flat batteries. So I've never done it to any of my vehicles.But I've seen it in four wheel drive mags and I was wondering how it is done.Any help???

[+dj_hansen+]

First off, i hope you have thick skin because this has been covered a couple of times and you will be told to search about 10 times over.

This should get you started:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic118 ... ght=triple
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic119 ... ght=triple
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic150 ... ght=triple
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic101 ... ght=triple

All the info you require. In short, yes paralleling 2 batteries together result in 1 'big' battery, and as such can cause problems. What you could do is fit another isolator to the feed going to the van, which can also mean that when the van is not connected you can isolate the power to the towbar area to you dont have a live plug which could cause issues.

There is also not a great deal of hard evidence to suggest different types of batteries cannot be paralleled together; which is in effect what most battery isolators do anyway unless you pay up around $1k.

[brendan_h]

sorry to hijack but i run 2 batterys in my zook. and 2nd battery (not a deep cycle) is only hooked up to my winch. it is conected to my main battery and its got a switch to cut the 2nd battery to the main. my set up is basicly 1 big battery. now other then being stuck with 2 flat batterys is there any problem?
the 2 batterys are the same brand, model and CCA

[98lux]

I have the Traxide system, works well.

http://www.davesitshop.com/davesitshop/ ... K-K(1).jpg

[nick t]

Thanx for the links,I haven't checked them out yet but I'm getting the drift that 3 batteries is a no-no.The advice that they gave me is to charge the 3rd battery off an external source aka solar panel or generator.I think that I'll just hand this info onto my mate as I've never had any probs with my dual system in 7 or so years .Thanx for the repies and all the best for the new year!!

[+dj_hansen+]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with triple batteries, thousands of caravanners around australia do it, i also have it all planned out for my cruiser, just atm it in a chain of events that hinging on a few other purchases; fridge which will depict my final drawer setup and then battery placement.

www.traxide.com.au even has a wiring diagram for you

How id do it? whatever isolator you want; using 4b&s cable between as per usual, then take another 4 b&s or 6b&s power/earth feed through a starter solenoid (or another type of solenoid) as you would normally but wire it so it can be switched off manually through to a beefy anderson plug at the tow bar and then corresponding cabling through to van battery. It could be a little bit simpler or allot more technical as you want to make it from here.

[98lux]

I have the traxide system and works well