Install of second battery?

[fidgeysman]

Hi , I'm handicapped and just acquired a power chair with a lift in the rear of my 96 ply. voyager. I seem to be running low on amps/voltage while using the lift. Yesterday the lift stopped after loading the chair and would not lift the chair at all. We revved the engine for 10 min. and it finally worked intermittently. We had to commandeer people to lift the chair into the vehicle. After getting the lift in by it self.
Question is can I put in a second battery to ensure enough juice to do the job? If yes where can it be placed?

[neon_rt]

I would go to a RV Center that installs RV equipment and does custom work.
They would probably install a Deep Cyle heavy duty battery as close to the lift as possible using the shortest cables possible. They can install a regulator that allows the Van electrical system to charge the auxillary battery without draining the primary Van battery. Let a professional shop do the work because most batteries emit toxic fumes that need to be vented to the outside of the vehicle for your safety.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by fidgeysman

Hi , I'm handicapped and just acquired a power chair with a lift in the rear of my 96 ply. voyager. I seem to be running low on amps/voltage while using the lift. Yesterday the lift stopped after loading the chair and would not lift the chair at all. We revved the engine for 10 min. and it finally worked intermittently. We had to commandeer people to lift the chair into the vehicle. After getting the lift in by it self.
Question is can I put in a second battery to ensure enough juice to do the job? If yes where can it be placed?

Check with the RV people or lift people.
It should have a low voltage high idle control installed on it to bring it up to a fast idle when battery voltage drops using the lift.
The lift people should know about it or should have told you about it.
MT

[fidgeysman]

Thanks for the good advice, the Scooter Store guy was out to check it and it turns out that the lift has a faulty switch.I am going to upgrade the battery to the largest size I can.
Thanks,
jr

[GTP Dad]

I think you first plan was an excellent one. Add a second battery that will only be used to operate the lift. This way you will not drain the battery from the van. It will also allow the lift to run at optimum performance. It won't take much to install and will probably pay for itself.

[JustSayGo]

One Optima battery should help a lot. Deep-cycle isn't the best choice for a second battery to run a lift. Again a dry cell Optima would be best and safest if you were to add another battery inside of the van.