need dual battery setup help please

[rs_green_machine]

hi i have a 97 1500 4x4 with auto, i use this truck for plowing in the winter and when my plow is on it constantly drains my battery(i know it has to) but i was wondering if i setup another battery for just plow and its lights will it hellp equal out the system?
if so could you guys tell me a good safe way to wire it , like add a batt and upgrade alternator and set up like 1 big batt 24v???

[777stickman]

Well, a 24v system would fry all your electronics for one thing. My '98 Sub K2500 has a battery tray on the drivers side that's not used. Does your truck have one? Best thing would be to upgrade to a higher output alt.

As far as wiring a 2nd batt. Both +'s should be wired to a remote stud that is fed power from the alt. My sub has this stud on the pass side by the radiator. The 2nd batt should be grounded to a good chassis and engine ground.

RV places sell isolators that maybe you could run the plow & lights off the 2nd batt but still keep it charged off the alt. This would take some wiring enginuity (sp) but I think it could be done. I mention this because the '75 Vandura used to pull our travel trailer. The isolator would allow the Van alt to keep the trailer batt charged but would not drain the Van batt when parked and still hooked up. If you do use an isolator, the alt charge feed would go to that for the 2nd batt but all the cicuits from the 2nd batt would be isolated from the main original batt.

Hope this helps............Steve

[2000CAYukon]

Are you familar with this website? http://www.plowsite.com/index.php

I found many posts about dual battery setups. Here is one of them http://www.plowsite.com/showthread.php?t=22167

//2000CAYukon

[gremlin96]

If you have a RV shop neer thay should be able to help. most cary every thing you need to set up a second battery.