I was warned by my mechanic buddy that diode isolators suck. He was right. Mine (which was way over-sized) started to die on a dark, lonely road with a trailer in tow and my family on board. My advice is to carry a 1/2" box wrench so you can stack the connections together so you'll at least still have power to run the truck. I now run a 100% duty cycle solenoid relay instead. Good luck!
That was a lot of great information. I may not need it but it was very satisfying to know anyway. Like the saying goes, you never stop learning. Thanks for sharing. Tony.
Very useful information Mr.Goudy! I'm currently in the process of restoring an older 85' c20 3/4 ton with a 350. planning on running two batteries in it for use as a road service truck, 5000 w inverter. Thanks alot
That is awesome. A 5000-watt inverter would run my AC with no problem. The only problem that I have is spending the cash for a 5000-watt inverter! Haha! I am glad that I could help ya!!
Great setup with that extra battery. Nice that it is all fused too. My dad had a Ford Econoline van years ago that was converted to a camper. That had two batteries but no inverter. Always interesting to see the upgrades to the truck and camper........Take care, Bluefin.
Thanks, Bluefin. If I had all 12Volts I wouldn't need a couple of inverters. The inverters and solar panels work out for me. After finding out the prices of the 12 Volt refrigerator and the freezer. It was worth it to have the 115 AC. I can run so many more things. Like TV and surround sound, Haha! I'm spoiled!! Thanks, again, my friend!
That fuse on the positive side of your auxiliary battery sure would be a pain to change if needed the way you have it hooked up. You should have a fuse holder in between there somewhere from the post to where the cable hooks up that would be much easier to change that fuse out when you blow a fuse
Nice way to do it Bill. That way your truck battery should always be charged. I've hooked up a few like that myself. Take care bud, and Merry Christmas!!
I just sold the Jeep and bought a 2001 GMC Yukon and it has a space for an additional battery (as you stated). I've been thinking of doing the same upgrade so thanks!
You will gain a lot of new room in that Yukon. I'm thinking, in time you will settle for a rig like mine. Very easy to put on or take off a truck. Just saying!! Haha! Think about it!
I know you've had that freezer for a long time. I don't know of anyone else that has a freezer inside of their truck, you might be a one of a kind Bill
Back in the 70s there was a guy that lived in the Quad-Cities (about 100 miles to my North.) He had a van with a 15 cubic foot chest freezer in the back. He didn't have an inverter back in those days. He would unplug the freezer and make deliveries of seafood all day long. That is where I got my idea. Only now, I can plug it in, and I got a place to put my fish and game. I also bring food with me, so I don't have to stop at restaurant along my way. Save a ton of money! Haha! Thanks, Big J!
I have not seen them, Ted. I have actually had this setup for several years now. Back then the 12 Volt refrigeration and or freezer were very expensive. The inverter saved me money and I could use the AC power to power up so many more things. I am always looking for new ideas...... I will do a search to see what I can find. Thank you, my friend! Cheers!
You can but you would have to change the position of the battery location on the isolator. You would need to change battery 1 position to battery 2 position.
@@BillGoudy Thank you, our mechanic was able to fix our problem. Prob bought a new battery for nothing. It appeared that inside of connection was stripped, but someting came out that should have been in there.I really don't understand it all.
It doesn't specify a specific fuse. I just selected fuse number 48 Misc (ignition) There is no power to the fuse until the ignition is on. I have a gasoline engine. (The fuse block differs for the diesel engine.) I used a fuse tap that plugs in the fuse block and then provides a fuse for the existing fuse and provides an additional fuse for your new wire! You can get the taps at most auto part stores!
Why would you have to go through all that trouble!!?? Can't you just run battery cables from one battery to the next battery and still have the alternator charge both of them??
You could do that but both batteries will then discharge at the same time. With the isolator in the circuit. One battery can discharge without discharging the other battery. I can totally discharge the auxiliary battery without discharging the starting battery! For me it is worth the extra effort!
Here is a link to the Eaton isolators. I hope this helps! www.waytekwire.com/product/eaton-s-sure-power-13023a-multi-battery-isolator?msclkid=0432131f51a51a07a8f476e77c589500
Wow nice work 👍 good u can do some repairs on you're truck yourself ... That is my Winter goal to learn some auto mechanic abilities 🌼🍁🪵 blessings to you 🙏
I was warned by my mechanic buddy that diode isolators suck. He was right. Mine (which was way over-sized) started to die on a dark, lonely road with a trailer in tow and my family on board. My advice is to carry a 1/2" box wrench so you can stack the connections together so you'll at least still have power to run the truck.
I now run a 100% duty cycle solenoid relay instead.
Good luck!
Thanks, Scott. I do carry tools and I always hope that I never need to use them! Haha!
That was a lot of great information. I may not need it but it was very satisfying to know anyway. Like the saying goes, you never stop learning. Thanks for sharing. Tony.
Thanks, Tony. I have learned so much over the years.
Nice setup, Mr Goudy. Here wishing you, Lucy Lou and the rest of the Goudy gang a very Merry Christmas. Cheers, sir!
Thank you, Andrew. Right back at you, my friend!
Well thought out system Bill. Nice work planning all that out.
Thanks, Rusty. I can't take all the credit. I had a motorhome years ago that had a very similar setup! I just used more modern components!
Very useful information Mr.Goudy! I'm currently in the process of restoring an older 85' c20 3/4 ton with a 350. planning on running two batteries in it for use as a road service truck, 5000 w inverter. Thanks alot
That is awesome. A 5000-watt inverter would run my AC with no problem. The only problem that I have is spending the cash for a 5000-watt inverter! Haha! I am glad that I could help ya!!
Heck yeah! That’ll work!!!! Might as well make use of the extra space Chevy provided!
Thanks, Chris!
Thanks for the video Bill! If we don't hear from you in the next week, a Merry Christmas to you and the family, and a Safe and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas, Brad! Cheers, my friend!
Great setup with that extra battery. Nice that it is all fused too. My dad had a Ford Econoline van years ago that was converted to a camper. That had two batteries but no inverter. Always interesting to see the upgrades to the truck and camper........Take care, Bluefin.
Thanks, Bluefin. If I had all 12Volts I wouldn't need a couple of inverters. The inverters and solar panels work out for me. After finding out the prices of the 12 Volt refrigerator and the freezer. It was worth it to have the 115 AC. I can run so many more things. Like TV and surround sound, Haha! I'm spoiled!! Thanks, again, my friend!
That fuse on the positive side of your auxiliary battery sure would be a pain to change if needed the way you have it hooked up. You should have a fuse holder in between there somewhere from the post to where the cable hooks up that would be much easier to change that fuse out when you blow a fuse
Yep! I hope that I never blow that fuse!! ;-)
Loving the setup & thanks for the advice take care Mr Bill & Merry Christmas
Thanks, Trey!
Looks like a great setup for your camper.
Thank you!
Nothing wrong with a little xtra juice!! Cheers Bill!
You are right about that!! Haha!! Cheers, my friend!
Nice way to do it Bill. That way your truck battery should always be charged. I've hooked up a few like that myself. Take care bud, and Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas, Tracy!!
I wish you and yours a magical Christmas and an amazing new year.
Right back at you, my friend!
I just sold the Jeep and bought a 2001 GMC Yukon and it has a space for an additional battery (as you stated). I've been thinking of doing the same upgrade so thanks!
You will gain a lot of new room in that Yukon. I'm thinking, in time you will settle for a rig like mine. Very easy to put on or take off a truck. Just saying!! Haha! Think about it!
@@BillGoudy I had a nice camper trailer and I miss it. But I just don't go camping that much to justify a full RV. But you never know!
Yep, This info was very useful, Thanks Bill, Happy Holidays to you and all your kin!
Right back at you my friend!
@@BillGoudy Thanks Bill!
Good stuff Bill. Seasons greetings to ya. Mike.
Cheers, Mike!
I know you've had that freezer for a long time. I don't know of anyone else that has a freezer inside of their truck, you might be a one of a kind Bill
Back in the 70s there was a guy that lived in the Quad-Cities (about 100 miles to my North.) He had a van with a 15 cubic foot chest freezer in the back. He didn't have an inverter back in those days. He would unplug the freezer and make deliveries of seafood all day long. That is where I got my idea. Only now, I can plug it in, and I got a place to put my fish and game. I also bring food with me, so I don't have to stop at restaurant along my way. Save a ton of money! Haha! Thanks, Big J!
Looks like a good setup.
Thanks, Shep!
Great advice Bill I do the same thing for my hunt camp and when we bring fish back from the Gulf here to Canada CYU
It works out good... Thank you, my friend!
@@BillGoudy UBET Bill Merry Christmas
@@worldsfastestube7302 Merry Christmas, my friend!
@@BillGoudy Thank you Bill
You are rigged for success! Nice work Mr. G!
Thank you!
Nice setup Bill. Have you seen the 12 v deep freezers out now? Unique appliances I think they're called here in Canada. Cheers from da ROCK!
I have not seen them, Ted. I have actually had this setup for several years now. Back then the 12 Volt refrigeration and or freezer were very expensive. The inverter saved me money and I could use the AC power to power up so many more things. I am always looking for new ideas...... I will do a search to see what I can find. Thank you, my friend! Cheers!
Nice setup!
Thanks, Dexter!
great job Bill, looking good
Thanks, Mark!
My 3500 doesn't have room for that 2nd battery, my 2 suburbans and 2 98 2500s have room but not the dually.
I got wonder, why? It sure is nice to have that 2nd battery!
TH-cam shows your video on the progress bar when paused…. But I cannot see video play.
Try this link and see if it works for you! th-cam.com/video/m8uV89WsbNA/w-d-xo.html
Can I use the spot for the 2nd batter as the main battery? The cables on the Left side need replacing. Just wondering...
You can but you would have to change the position of the battery location on the isolator. You would need to change battery 1 position to battery 2 position.
@@BillGoudy Thank you, our mechanic was able to fix our problem. Prob bought a new battery for nothing. It appeared that inside of connection was stripped, but someting came out that should have been in there.I really don't understand it all.
Which fuse do you attach the smaller "signal" wire for the isolator?
It doesn't specify a specific fuse. I just selected fuse number 48 Misc (ignition) There is no power to the fuse until the ignition is on. I have a gasoline engine. (The fuse block differs for the diesel engine.) I used a fuse tap that plugs in the fuse block and then provides a fuse for the existing fuse and provides an additional fuse for your new wire! You can get the taps at most auto part stores!
@@BillGoudy Thank you! The Misc. Ignition fuse in 39 on my 2017 5.3. Your answer helped me find the correct one.
Why would you have to go through all that trouble!!?? Can't you just run battery cables from one battery to the next battery and still have the alternator charge both of them??
You could do that but both batteries will then discharge at the same time. With the isolator in the circuit. One battery can discharge without discharging the other battery. I can totally discharge the auxiliary battery without discharging the starting battery! For me it is worth the extra effort!
What battery splitter is that you are using? (That the alternator connects to)
Here is a link to the Eaton isolators. I hope this helps! www.waytekwire.com/product/eaton-s-sure-power-13023a-multi-battery-isolator?msclkid=0432131f51a51a07a8f476e77c589500
gotta do what works.
Sure do! ;-)
Wow nice work 👍 good u can do some repairs on you're truck yourself ... That is my Winter goal to learn some auto mechanic abilities 🌼🍁🪵 blessings to you 🙏
Thanks, Jipsie. Blessings right back at you! Cheers!