Anyone done a battery addition or relocation on a 3rd gen?

[MCrossley]

I was wondering if anyone had put a battery or 2 under the bed area on a 3rd gen truck yet, I am going to be installing my 1500 watt inverter in the next few months and will add an additional battery for the purpose and wanted to see what was out there. I had thought about using unistrut across the frame railes and use threaded 1/2" rod to suspend a battery tray... I don't know give me some ideas please... .

 

[Matt400]

I don't know give me some ideas please... .

For a 1500w inverter I would think you would need the capability of 100+ amps at idle.

Wouldn't an alternator such as this be a better idea without a 3rd battery?

 

[MCrossley]

Matt you are correct however I rarely use it at rated capacity I have a 800 Watt in my 01 and it works great even without the 3rd battery. With 2 additional batteries just for the inverter you can do quite a bit and I will set it up so that when the truck is running it will tie the aux. battery bank to the main bank for charging... . Also I would not idel it anyhow my 05 has the high idler enabled I will run AGM batteries as they can take the punishment without harm plus they can take a huge charge influx without damaging them. I will tie the two systems together with #2 wire so there is no loss I figure that should work ok... .

 

[GWBourne]

i was just thinking about this today...

i want to run an invertor as well as a multi mount winch. i firgure adding a battery or two under the bed that the multi mount leads tie into directly then an isolator system so i can charge or draw without affecting my main batts.



it would serve well for having the multimount for using multiple trailers and still being able to winch up unable cars and trucks.



so. . lets see soem pics if anyone has them

Grant

 

[Matt400]

Sounds like a pretty beefy set up What will you be using it for?

My thought was. . why store power for depletion, requiring recharge time when you can use an alternator that will handle your load?



The high idle is a great feature too for what your doing.

 

[MCrossley]

I would not consider an isolator for the truck; A lot of people are into the battery isolators but they are not the greatest invention in the world. If you install one off of the main batteries you would still in tun discharge the main batteries just not the aux. plus you loose about 8/10th of a volt which is harmfull for a full charge... I am going to use a heavy duty contactor so that when the truck is running it just ties the two systems together and the voltage will be hihg enough to keep the current down to a reasonable level. At some point I will consider a larger alt. but the one I want is very pricey, it is the same one that is used on fire and police vehicles from 250 - 300 amps... .

 

[Buddy's Ram]

I have a third battery mounted under my truck on the transmission brace. I run a 1500 watt inverter and all addon electrical gear off of this battery. The battery is an Optima yellow top and is charged with an isolator. I have been running this setup for a year in this truck and previosly ran it in a gas truck for 4 years.

 

[MCrossley]

you would not have a pic by chance? I am suprised not more people have done this...

I have a third battery mounted under my truck on the transmission brace. I run a 1500 watt inverter and all addon electrical gear off of this battery. The battery is an Optima yellow top and is charged with an isolator. I have been running this setup for a year in this truck and previosly ran it in a gas truck for 4 years.

 

[Buddy's Ram]

I don't have a pic right now. I do have a digital camera though and will try and post one.

Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[MCrossley]

much appreciated... .

 

[GWBourne]

i plan on running a computer, GPS, high wat stereo, lots of lights to include trafic directional light bars and strobes. a touch screen monitor will be on the computer in the dash replacing the stereo.



also a multi mount winch and electric motors for trailer jacks.



Grant

 

[MickeyMiller]

I have a Warn M15000 winch that I have fitted to my rear winch bumper. It is a wash in cost to put a deep cycle battery back by the winch and use an isolator to charge, it compated with running 4/0 cable back to the winch. Now I can run an inverter off that battery and keep the truck system protected. Looks like a refrig in the bed is in the future!

 

[MQuirin]

The build-up (lots of pics) - Page 8 - Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum

Start looking at post #86. Or, skip to 109 for final result.