What type of battery setup

[DiStuRBeD]

Would you recommend for the following scenario

Primary battery for running car only
secondary battery for the following

Running lights, 1 x 100watt globe, to up to 2 x 100watt globes while driving at slow speed for several hours

other lights, reversing lights, and tray lights for lighting up an area for working in, these lights would be possibly a fluro or two, and possibly 2 x 55watt lights.

now the running lights and the other lights would not be on at the same time, the other lights would be when the car is idle, or turned off

i am guessing a deep cycle of sum sort, so i want to know in MY scenario what is the best bet

[-Scott-]

Shooting truck?

You'd only need a second battery if you're determined to run your work lights for extended periods with the engine off. Even then, investing in low draw LED lights may be cheaper than a second battery and controller.

I think the main concern here is the slow speed/low revs, and whether the alternator will cope with the drain. If the alternator can't keep up, adding a second battery is only extending the size of your "charge reserve" - so you should definitely use a deep cycle battery. But personally, I'd upgrade the alternator to ensure it can keep up with the drain under your usage conditions - and worry about a second battery at a later date.

Start with an ammeter in the dash, so you can keep an eye on your charge rate.

Good luck,

Scott

[rockcrawler31]

i'm guessing this is for a rough as guts shooting rig yes??

i would think value for money, would be a N70 type deep cycle battery that you can manually isolate with either a switched solenoid or a rotating manual switch.

you can run a thick power cable to the second battery via the switch and earth it to the body, that way it will stay isolated when the switch is off but you only have to run power cables to the lights and earth back to body or chassis

i should think that when you are out spot lighting, even at low speeds your alternator should produce enough juice to keep the batts topped up and run your shooting spotlights.

This is the setup i have had on my touring rig running a fridge and camping lights and havn't had any problems producing enough power.

Great value for money, but you will have to be vigilant in keeping an eye on your voltages, and when the second batt is not well charged don't switch back to parrallel before starting your car.

hope this helps

[rockcrawler31]

of course i could be wrong about your alternator keeping up, in which case scott would be right.

[DiStuRBeD]

yes boys, shooting rig