Say I wired a 2nd battery to my car in parrallel. ...would it do anything different? What are the effects? Anything?
You'd be able to pull more current, so in theory you'd have better cold starting. But yeah, you would probably need to upgrade the alternator.
I'm sure theres something wrong in the design, which is why audio entheusiasts use a split charge system.
Possibly the two batteries would charge at different rates and you'd end up with some kind of charge imbalance which would kill the batteries over a long period of time? No, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Too much vodka.
I think the reasoning behind it is something to do with the design of the battery, that two on the same line would eventually kill eachother when the car is left off.... Hence why a split charge system cuts the second battery off when the alternator isn't running.
Here we go, the boys over at MP3car really helped me out with this link: http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=54203 Although TBH googling "split charge" would've brought me there too.
depends on what you want the other batt. to help with The above link is for using the other batt as an aux. batt, used for running things like radio, etc. so as not to drain the starting batt If you want to help the starting batt to start the vehicle , then hook both batts together , pos to pos/neg to neg , Parrallel . You can hook batterys together this way and they will not hurt each other , many diesels have this arrangement because of size constrants on how big a batt needed verses room for it. Yes , it will put more load on your alt, (ether way) but there are devices designed to limit current that are a good idea (say you drained way down that aux. batt, now your altenator is going to put out it's max. output for as long as it takes to charge back up ... not good for the life of the alt.) DB
On some of the stock car engines i have built we connect 2 batteries in series to get 24v. That helps cold starting quite a bit (Not relly a good idea) slater..
On a car with an ECU that would wreak havoc with the electronics. Wouldn't do the ignition system much good even on an old car =P
Yeh they didnt have an ECU or any ancillary (sp?) electrics. IIRC The ignition etc. is only connected too one battary so still get 12v but thes another battery that gives the starter 24v somehow (dont ask me i just build the engines ) slater..
you can easilly parallel two batteries which will be charged by one alternator as long as you use an isolater or even a solenoid which are both designed for that purpose - ask your local car audio installation specialist
The question has to be what are you trying to acheive? What do you want to run and why? Do you want more reserve power, longer lasting power or dry cycle rechargable power.
