Dual Battery Planning, Dual Group 31s

[mikeySA]

So, I am getting ready to start my dual battery setup sometime early next year. I currently have a group 31 battery in the stock location with the help of the CBI battery tray.

I want to run dual group 31s but I want to avoid putting the aux group 31 in the cab even though its an AGM I still don't want to use up cab space. A second group 31 is most definitely not going to fit in the engine bay either. I plan to run a fridge and all my accessories off of the aux group 31, and have the primary group 31 run all the stock electrical and a winch when tied in parallel with the aux. I am going to use the Blue Sea ML-ACR 500a for the isolator.

So, my plan is to mount this battery tray somewhere along the frame rail, preferably on the passenger side to counter balance the gas tank, the primary group 31, and my fat ass all on the driver's side. So, I am wondering if T4R has a recommendation on a location where I could mount this battery tray to hold the aux group 31.

 

[TMP]

Interested for see what happens with this.

 

[nc-grayson]

is there enough room/clearance underneath the truck on the frame?

 

[mikeySA]

is there enough room/clearance underneath the truck on the frame?

From visually looking at it. As long as I cut off the stock spare tire storage stuff in the rear it should fit. I've seen air tanks mounted back there and it can't be much wider than a group 31 on its side.

 

[nc-grayson]

From visually looking at it. As long as I cut off the stock spare tire storage stuff in the rear it should fit. I've seen air tanks mounted back there and it can't be much wider than a group 31 on its side.

in the locale of the stock spare makes sense. from your original description, I was thinking inboard of the passenger side frame rail fore of the rear axle.

 

[mikeySA]

in the locale of the stock spare makes sense. from your original description, I was thinking inboard of the passenger side frame rail fore of the rear axle.

I would have liked it there, but the muffler is there so it wouldn't have worked out. Also, I don't feel so comfortable having the battery that close to the exhaust system.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Be Surprise what u can hide behind the radio :bluejump:

 

[lhsoulrebel]

So, I am getting ready to start my dual battery setup sometime early next year. I currently have a group 31 battery in the stock location with the help of the CBI battery tray.

I want to run dual group 31s but I want to avoid putting the aux group 31 in the cab even though its an AGM I still don't want to use up cab space. A second group 31 is most definitely not going to fit in the engine bay either. I plan to run a fridge and all my accessories off of the aux group 31, and have the primary group 31 run all the stock electrical and a winch when tied in parallel with the aux. I am going to use the Blue Sea ML-ACR 500a for the isolator.

So, my plan is to mount this battery tray somewhere along the frame rail, preferably on the passenger side to counter balance the gas tank, the primary group 31, and my fat ass all on the driver's side. So, I am wondering if T4R has a recommendation on a location where I could mount this battery tray to hold the aux group 31.

I plan on doing A dual set up in Dec/ Jan but with group 34's. Going the blue sea route as well, except my plan is to put the second battery where the airbox is. I'll replace the giant airfilter housing with a short air intake. That should give me room for the second battery. There is a pic on here somewhere with someone who has done this before. I'll provide pics when I finally get around to it.

 

[Nate_GB]

From visually looking at it. As long as I cut off the stock spare tire storage stuff in the rear it should fit. I've seen air tanks mounted back there and it can't be much wider than a group 31 on its side.

the stock spare locating "rails" unbolt from that area. My only advise is to make sure your mounting method is stout and that the battery is well protected from impacts. The last thing you want is 1500 amps bouncing around under the truck if it comes loose or having it leak acid. That being said, I like that area for a future fuel storage space on my truck. Good luck with the project.

 

[mikeySA]

I plan on doing A dual set up in Dec/ Jan but with group 34's. Going the blue sea route as well, except my plan is to put the second battery where the airbox is. I'll replace the giant airfilter housing with a short air intake. That should give me room for the second battery. There is a pic on here somewhere with someone who has done this before. I'll provide pics when I finally get around to it.

I have seen that set up actually. I would have gone that route if I wasn't planning on putting a snorkel. it would perfectly counter balance itself in that location.

the stock spare locating "rails" unbolt from that area. My only advise is to make sure your mounting method is stout and that the battery is well protected from impacts. The last thing you want is 1500 amps bouncing around under the truck if it comes loose or having it leak acid. That being said, I like that area for a future fuel storage space on my truck. Good luck with the project.

I WAS thinking about welding the battery box in place. But then I thought about it and I have no idea if there is clearance to slide the battery out of the box when I need to change it out. So there was that problem. I could just cut out that cross member completely and make a new one somewhere else?

I was going to have extra fuel there as well. But I decided to put a water tank instead since I have two 5 gallon jerry cans on my rear tire carrier. Then the dual group 31's came into play. So, I think I can fit both a water tank and the battery there with some more thought.

 

[theesotericone]

I WAS thinking about welding the battery box in place. But then I thought about it and I have no idea if there is clearance to slide the battery out of the box when I need to change it out. So there was that problem. I could just cut out that cross member completely and make a new one somewhere else?

I was going to have extra fuel there as well. But I decided to put a water tank instead since I have two 5 gallon jerry cans on my rear tire carrier. Then the dual group 31's came into play. So, I think I can fit both a water tank and the battery there with some more thought.

There's plenty of room under there to do what you want. One thing to consider is making a skid plate for it when your done. If you route the water tank fill somewhere accessible without having to remove the skid you'd be set. If you do any water crossings though I'd be wary of having a battery there. I've never had good results with electricity and water. lol