Vit G16a: Alternator upgrade VS dual batteries

[SiKiD_01]

ok, we went for a drive on sunday 20th, was raining all day, drowned my Vit a couple of times, and now the alternator is ka-put. i dont think it is charging the battery, as i was getting pull started for the 2nd half of the day.

My indicators went all funny, from blinking fast, to not blinking at all, my lights aren't bright, but dim, and no interior dash lights work, and the CD playing goes on and off.

so, basically, i had no power from the battery, or the alternator in the end. what i have had for a while, is that oxidation or whatever it called, you know that blue stuff on the terminals, well, i had a look today, and its all through the positive cable and the negative cable. so i took those cables out too.

i left the cable front the 60A fuse to the alt as i might be taking the alt out anyway. so while i'm in the process of changing the cables to new ones, should i go the next size up in cable, or just get the same size?

but i was thinking, if i am going to get new cables and so on, should i go for a dual battery set up to start with, so i can get all the cables and wiring done and maybe clean up the wiring in the bay at the same time?

i have a G16a in a Vitara, and i have CD player, CB, 2 forward spotties and 2 reverse lights ATM, but i was thinking about adding another 4 spotties some time in the future. i want to run some relays for my headlights too, as well as the ones for the spotties.

With a DB set up, i will always have a cranking batt, and everything else can run off the AUX batt. and i could, in an emergency, jump off the aux.

With an upgraded ALT, i will most probably have a 85a replacement, and i will need to make up new mounts. BUT, if i swamp th new upgraded alt, i will be back in the same position i am in now.

i could possible do both, but i dont have the $$$ atm, so i'm still trying to decide. an upgraded alt will be about $100, or so, havent priced any yet. and thats about all, apart from new wires and cables. a DB set up, will be $100 for the extra batt, $80 or so for the solonoid, and some more for wiring and cables.

what have people done, and what should i do? i have probably answered my own question, but maybe i've missed out on some things?

thanks for any help

here are some pics of where we wheel up here. gets a lot wetter than it is.
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... hp?t=59899