Dual Battery - Battery type question

[scotto]

Got a diesel motor and want to set up a dual battery system,
nice and simple with a solenoid and no fancy shmance expensive management dealy.

I got an optima red top and a century yella one = dry one and wet one
as they are different types - can i use them in such a system?

I will use the red top to start (mega CCA) and the other for running my lights radios etc. Read somewhere you shouldn't mix them, but then a mate told me that's a lie....any one in the know who can give me ideas?

Thanks scotto

[pcman]

oi quit mixin my words

if using a proper isolater setup like a pirahna ect they you can mix and match but if using a simple olinoid best not to mix

really i cant see a logical reason behind it but i rather not spend time researching and just do it only to find the result later in life lol

[-Scott-]

If you want to hook them in series, for a 24V system, get two identical batteries.

Running them in parallel it shouldn't matter. If you wanna get real technical, and talk about optimising the life of a battery, each probably needs slightly different charge voltages - but you're not gonna get an optimum charge regime for either from your automotive charging system. For under-bonnet life in a 4by, you can pretty much mix and match to your heart's content.

The only significant concern is initial charge rate for a flat "deep discharge" battery. Your alternator could supply too much current and cook the battery, but some deep discharge batteries are more tolerant than others. If you're really concerned you need a fancy controller - a solenoid won't do the job.

Cheers,

Scott

[plowy]

Had a solenoid system and when the alt shat itself it drained both batterys and could not even jump start myself to get goin again

ripped it out and fitted a phirana isolator and can drain the excillary batt and still have a good start batt or even if the start batt goes flat i can [not recomended tho ] jump start myself to get goin

[-Richo-]

or even if the start batt goes flat i can [not recomended tho ] jump start myself to get goin

It would probably be better to run a jumper lead from the aux to the main and let it charge for a little while, then take off the jumper lead and start from the main. Jump starting from the aux will send spikes through your controller and kill it.

[plowy]

TRUE BEAR VERY TRUE