|
|
11-27-2018, 11:05 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
1 battery or 2, 12V
Who runs 1 battery and who runs two? I'm not having any issues per se with one, but I am considering adding a second as an insurance policy of sorts. I have 2 gauge ran from the battery (right front corner of the truck bed) to the master switch and 2 gauge from master switch to the front distribution block, then 4 gauge to the starter. It takes it's sweet time to spin over when cold, and if it's a bit low on voltage after spinning over, the injectors stop firing due to Vdrop with the starter spinning.
I talked to a fellow at the OKC Divisional in a dragpak, he said he had to go to 2 batteries for essentially the same reason, fuel injectors and starter simultaneously doesn't add up after a couple starts and nudging forward in the lanes. Once it's warm I don't have any issues. It's just the initial cold start. I keep it on a battery tender, so it's not a low battery issue initially. It just takes 30-45 seconds of spinning before it catches. Worth adding a second battery? |
11-28-2018, 10:49 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN
Posts: 898
Likes: 604
Liked 432 Times in 225 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
I run 2 batteries with an alternator on my door car. I can and have run the entire season without hooking up a battery charger. I also put relatively few demands on the electrical system, with a belt-driven fuel pump and almost no fan usage when the car is not running.
I've not run 16 volts, but I'm considering it for my dragster which has always had 1 battery and alternator. I do put the charger on that after a few runs. I'm not sure if 16 volts is a reasonable consideration with the "daily driver" thing. It sounds like voltage is your primary concern rather than reserve capacity. I understand that more reserve should lessen or slow the voltage drop when demand is high.
__________________
S/ST 51 S/C 53 |
11-28-2018, 12:35 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Hendersonville, Tn.
Posts: 80
Likes: 766
Liked 23 Times in 10 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
I just changed from the 2 gauge I had on the car for almost 30 years to 1/0 gauge this past week and it was night and day difference in starting this past weekend in Bowling Green.
|
11-28-2018, 12:40 PM | #4 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: phoenix
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 54
Liked 669 Times in 264 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
|
11-28-2018, 05:47 PM | #5 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA)
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 2,016
Liked 2,748 Times in 861 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
All it will take is hot-lapping in final rounds, minimum charging time and getting shut-off just before staging and then an “apparent” good battery failing and you will have another battery in no time. Haven’t thought about going heavier than 2 guage...sounds like good insurance.
__________________
Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock |
11-28-2018, 08:12 PM | #6 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
Quote:
The PCM on my platform controls the 3 wire alternator, so charging once running at temperature isn't an issue. Just the initial start when the engine is cold. I thought about using 1/0 wire when i wired the truck, but I thought 2 gauge would be "good enough". It sure beats the 6 gauge it came from the factory with, despite being about 25 feet longer, with the battery being relocated and master switch installed. |
|
11-29-2018, 09:09 AM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 13
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
2 guage has an amperage capacity of about 150 amps at 10 feet with a voltage drop of 2 percent. a typical gear reduction starter will draw 150 amps 250 to 300 for a direct drive unit. remember this is for a fully charged battery. as the battery discharges amperage goes up.
Last edited by gnicholson; 11-29-2018 at 09:17 AM. |
11-29-2018, 11:01 AM | #8 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 73
Liked 424 Times in 204 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
You don't need 16v but without question you should change out the cable to 1/0. If it's still hard to start, the next culprit is your starter. Whose starter and model are you currently using?
That said, I run two 12v batteries in my dragster and my door and always have because they were built for 2 batteries. |
11-29-2018, 06:38 PM | #9 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 4
Liked 59 Times in 9 Posts
|
Re: 1 battery or 2, 12V
Battery cables should also be changed out every 5-10 years also. It is getting hard to find good wire and it will go bad. You should also check the terminals on the cables too make sure they are tight. I would suggest doing a voltage drop test on your starter/battery circuits a couple of times a year. It should also be the first thing you do when you are having a starting issue.
|
|
|