Aux Battery in my 2008 F150

[OG-Larryw1]

I am going to install a 2nd battery behind the Drivers head light area. The CAI needs to be taken out. A battery box needs to be installed. I also need to install an isolator. I have a junction block to install also. I have ordered an new JLT Ram Air intake system which will allow me to open up the space I need for the Battery. I hope to receive the intake and Tuned SCT within three weeks. then I can start putting in the battery box, Isolator and wire it up. I can then move the sound system power cables, the off road light wire and the onboard air system power source. I know this will also open up more possibilities for me. as I get closer I will post pics.

here are some ideas

 

[OG-Unleashed]

good idea!!! take step by step pics!!! haha to help me out

 

[che22879]

awesome!

 

[Zembonez]

We'd love it if you did a quick HOW TO thread here!

 

[OG-Larryw1]

We'd love it if you did a quick HOW TO thread here!

I woud love to

On my older trucks I used a solenoid as the isolator. I mounted it close to the main batt. I ran a battery cable from the main + side battery to one side of the isolator. then I did the same from the aux. Battery to the other side of the Isolator. I also ran a power wire to the small terminal on the Isolator to a Power source that had power only in the run position. It is a simple setup.

I was talking to an auto electric guy.
1.

Thinking I had to move the B+ wire from the alt to the main battery.

I thought I would hook it to the Isolator from the alt.

then I would need a power source from the fuse panel to the Isolator.
the power source would turn on the isolator (or activate it so the Alt B+ wire would get the alt to charge.

then just run the two batt wires ( A + B) to the proper terminals. this would be done by usinag some kind of Isolator like this.

http://www.surepower.com/pdf/180031c.pdf

And here is there wiring schematics.

http://www.grampianowners.com/Links/Battery_Isolator_Inst.pdf

The Auto Electric Guy suggested I keep it simple. With the new cars/truck charging systems and computers the chance of issues with the computer are there.

his suggestion:

2.

Use a 3 or 4 post solenoid (on the 4 post you only use one of the smaller posts)
hook main battery to one side and the other battery to the other side.
run a power wire to one of the smaller post. (it is just an on and off switch)


The down side to the solenoid setup is that both batteries are charged the same. So when one is low. the solenoid can't stop charging the fully charged battery.
now I have used the solenoid for years with no problems. On older truck 85 an older.
So I am going to trust this older guy from the auto electric shop. and try the solenoid for now.

 

[Zembonez]

Well if you wanna post pics of this one and make a thread that's cool too... or you can post it here and let me know and I'll clean up the thread. We can even change the title if need be.

 

[OG-Larryw1]

Once I get my intake I am going to start the work and I will take pictures
if you want me to start a new thread when I am ready to show the install I will.

 

[OG-Larryw1]

My parts should be here Oct 13th

 

[OG-Larryw1]

Aux batt kit

I have all the parts that I need to install the aux batt

Solenoid

Junction block

Battery tray

Wires, connectors, fuses, batt, tray, I am using a #4 wire for the charge part of the system and for the stereo amps.

When my intake gets here on Wed. I can start to install this stuff

 

[OG-Larryw1]

I was told not to use this isolator or one like it by three different auto electric shops.

heck I thought this would be a good choice. I was wrong.