2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission removing one battery

[SFrey]

how would a ctd respond to removing the passanger side battery, need room for some stuff... .



scot

 

[CarlJensen]

Second batt. is used to help when a large load is applied. The grid heaters use 90amps, I think, and the extra punch is used then. Out here the weather does not get cold enough to really need them and a lot of owners remove the second battery for the needed space, no problems.

 

[Joe Mc]

I know this is not what you want to hear but, I'd look for space elsewhere.

 

[PRattenbury]

I want to get both batteries out from the engine compartment. I was considering putting them (or one massive Group 31) on the frame rails sort of under the doors in plastic boxes they make for boats. Anyone done something like that? Oo.

 

[LOtero]

I believe our trucks are 12v electrical systems but the starter to crank the beast is 24 volt, so it needs the extra battery juice to crank the motor.

 

[GAmes]

I believe our trucks are 12v electrical systems but the starter to crank the beast is 24 volt, so it needs the extra battery juice to crank the motor.

Nope, the starter is 12 volt too.

 

[WestTN]

Nope, the starter is 12 volt too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOtero

I believe our trucks are 12v electrical systems but the starter to crank the beast is 24 volt, so it needs the extra battery juice to crank the motor.







Nope, the starter is 12 volt too.



At a TON of single battery-killing amps!

 

[csutton7]

many guys have been running with a single battery for years---it can be done, but invest in a good battery is my suggestion or just run the one you have and when it gives up then buy a good one----chris

 

[JHardwick]

I believe our trucks are 12v electrical systems but the starter to crank the beast is 24 volt, so it needs the extra battery juice to crank the motor.

12 volts is 12 volts no matter how many batteries you have.

 

[keimmmo]

You can get by with one battery just fine if you NEVER try to start the truck in cold weather... especially if you unhook the grid heaters. Where you live, I expect you will see temps cold enough to be a MAJOR problem with only one battery! I would NOT recommend it unless you drive the truck ONLY in nice warm weather.



Steve Keim

 

[yooper]

I live N of Detroit, normal winter lows are -5 below. Every fall I go up to our farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and while I'm up there do a few PM's on my truck and one of them is clean all the connection on my batteries. I was in a hurry and had my head on backwards and forgot to connect the passenger side battery. Drove it all winter with one battery. Had some trouble starting, but never failed to start even below zero. I don't recommend this, but it did work.

 

[Willys]

The first gens came with one battery, but it was a heap bigger. 1100-1200 CCA iirc. I've considered putting them along the frame rail but haven't been able to justify the extra time and expense required(and my air tank is in the way. ). It would be a royal pain to use them to jump someone, or jump off the truck, unless a special connector and cable setup was made.

 

[Joe Mc]

12 volts is 12 volts no matter how many batteries you have.

This is true. However, Amps varry and as mentioned by WestTN, "At a TON of single battery-killing amps!" this will surely be the demise of a one battery system. If I "had" to take space in my engine compartment - "guess" I'd consider the plastic box mount relocation mentioned earlier. But, I'd look for alternative places to locate whatever I was trying to move the batteries for to free up space Vs. moving the batteries. - MHO

 

[NoSeeUm]

I want to get both batteries out from the engine compartment. I was considering putting them (or one massive Group 31) on the frame rails sort of under the doors in plastic boxes they make for boats. Anyone done something like that? Oo.

Been thinking the same thing. There is room under the body on the frame rail. I have not measured this area, looks to be enough room for both, but it might get cramped. I don't think it will be that hard to make a bracket to move just the passenger side battery there. I would choose the passenger side frame rail to offset some weight from the fuel tank.



Jim

 

[PRattenbury]

That makes pretty good sense. Moving just the passenger side battery out of the way would not cause the jump-starting problem. If I moved it to the driver's side I would shorten the length of the battery cable. And, I'd have room for my ENORMOUS air horns. I'll be putting the compressor behind the seat on the passenger side, and the tank under the bed on the frame on the passenger side. Maybe that will make the weight distribution a wash. I don't want to put the compressor or the horns under the truck. Where I live, things get crapped up under there real quick. I can put a battery in a plastic box. Horns would sound funny if I put them in a box.