$30/3 Minute Second Battery Wiring - #2 AWG - Harbor Freight

[khigh]

Who knew? Harbor Freight has a "custom wiring harness" for installing a second battery in parallel in OBS. #2 stranded copper - no coated aluminum like cheap jumper cables.

30 seconds per connection - another minute for the cable ties. If you don't have a ratcheting side post wrench, it might send the whole thing up over 5 minutes.



It's their "Inverter cable set"

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ft-300-amp-inverter-cable-set-69537-8816.html

Make sure and use a coupon. As of this writing, there's a 25% off coupon that makes them $30

http://www.dealsoff.com/images/harbor-freight-25.jpg

 

[CHOO CHOO]

This is gonna be a dumb question but whats the point of two batteries. If you dont have an audio system that is

 

[khigh]

This is gonna be a dumb question but whats the point of two batteries. If you dont have an audio system that is

This isn't really even a good system for high end audio systems. They would want an isolator system to automate their battery management.

This is just a parallel hookup for redundancy, longevity, and peace of mind.

It doubles the starting amperage, gives you more run time for communications (ham) equipment, lighting, winching, etc. Since each battery will only ever discharge half as much, they'll last very much longer.

Since they're AGM batteries, they can kind of serve dual purpose for running equipment (not quite as deep cycling as a marine battery, but better than a straight SLA starting battery). So one thing I'm going to do is add a disconnect switch and jumper the disconnected battery to my camping trailer battery to gain more amp hours between generator runs.

 

[CHOO CHOO]

I see, ok thanks!!!

 

[khigh]

Oh also, with the disconnect switch, you can use it like a manual isolator. You can cut a battery out of the circuit, run your accessories until your battery drains, then reconnect the other battery.

 

[HUMBL57]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing