JIPJOBXX Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 I'm toying with the idea to install another battery in the old Dodge. I have a friend of mine who is replacing all his six volt batteries in his motor home (6) and he is going to give them to me. I was thinking of installing the second battery just across from the main battery on the passenger side. Has anyone here ever done that? I always feel like I do not get enough poop out of that single battery and having two six volt batterys should give me enough. Also I plan on installing two in the truck to play my world war two music while showing oft the old car. People just love to hear that music and I do need to have enough battery life to run a cassette recorder for say eight hours. Jon:cool: Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 and then you have two options..should you parallel the batteries for reserve capacity or put them in series, go negative ground, install an 12 V neg grd. alternator, center tap them so to have 12 volt and 6 volt application thereby running any and every stock and aftermarket accessory you care to imagine..(less the stock radio) Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 The question I have is. Why is your friend replacing those batteries? If they are old and not that good, then you'll start having problems with them. Might be better off just buying a new battery, or batteries for what you want to do. Quote
Normspeed Posted October 6, 2009 Report Posted October 6, 2009 Wondering if anyone has tried one of these for dual 6V batteries? I've used one for years in my boat with dual 12V and it works great. Mine is set up for parallel when switched to both. Found this writeup with pics on a 4X4 site. Seems the main thing to avoid is switching to "off" when the motor is running. The switch shown is rated for 230 amps continuous, 350 amp intermittent. Others are rated to 3 tiimes that amperage. Quote
JIPJOBXX Posted October 6, 2009 Author Report Posted October 6, 2009 He has had these batteries in his coach for probably 5 years or so and just replaced them with new batterys. Nothing wrong with them as they have always been maintained properly. He bought new Trojan batteries because he is going full time and didn't want to have any problems. I know from past experience with my motor home you just do not buy one battery but a full set. Now as far as the free batteries like I said they still hold a charge and should be just fine for my old Dodge. I have already given two of them away to one of my buddies that have six volt cars and one other one to another buddy that has a fleet of old cars also. Quote
randroid Posted October 7, 2009 Report Posted October 7, 2009 Normspeed, I would seriously doubt the switch cared what the voltage or amperage passing through it was so long as the parameters were maintained. JIPJOBXX, May I suggest having the batteries on the same side of the car? The length of cable required to loop the two together might have an unwelcome resistance, and who wants that many feet of hot cable flopping-around the engine bay? Just a couple of thoughts on what sounds like a good idea. -Randy Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 7, 2009 Report Posted October 7, 2009 The two batteries in my 93 chevy police car were on opposite sides connected by one long positive cable. No problem. Quote
Oldguy48 Posted October 7, 2009 Report Posted October 7, 2009 I used to have a 1957 Dodge pick-up. Put a second battery in it, with both batteries connected in parallel. Never had a problem with keeping the batteries charged. You could crank that engine for a long time if you had to. That's why I put the second battery in. If the weather was cold, and the planets were aligned just right, and your luck was good that day, it might start. Starting fluid helped sometimes too. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted October 7, 2009 Report Posted October 7, 2009 Normspeed,I would seriously doubt the switch cared what the voltage or amperage passing through it was so long as the parameters were maintained. -Randy Although it usually doesn't matter how many volts the switch is handling, most switches are rated for amperage. Too many amps and it'll burn the switch out. Just like any other switch. Take a look at the packages in the store for both toggle switches, light switches, etc. Each one has an amperage rating for them that you should not exceed. Quote
Jerry Roberts Posted October 7, 2009 Report Posted October 7, 2009 Motor homes use 6 volt batteries ? Why ? Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 7, 2009 Report Posted October 7, 2009 Golf carts use 6 volt batteries too. They last longer on a charge. Quote
JIPJOBXX Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Posted October 10, 2009 Well just got finished installing my two great big six volt batteries in tandem to make 12 volts to power up my Cassette player. Why did I do this well the batteries were free and with those two deep well batteries I should be able to play my 40's music till the cows come home. And if I need a jump well I can alway use my extra long jumper cables and start the old show car. Both batteries weigh in at 120 lbs and should make the old Dodge ride even smoother than it does now. Just fun! Quote
JIPJOBXX Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Posted October 10, 2009 Here is the radio I power up with the batteries and the neat old drive in speaker I use to produce the sound out of. Quote
Reg Evans Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 Sounds like fun Jon. Here's the bank of 6 volt golf cart batteries I had in my all electric patio boat. Nearly 400 lbs. Talk about heavy......they outweighed the 35 hp 2 cycle motor I replaced with the electric motors. Quote
Jim Saraceno Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 my Cassette player. Hmmmmm... I know I've heard of those before.... Refresh my memory... Isn't that some type of Ipod or something?!?! Quote
Reg Evans Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 No....closer to the hand cranked Victrola. Quote
Don Coatney Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 . You could crank that engine for a long time if you had to. Therin is the problem. Starting a cold engine is much easier if you use short bursts of the starter button. Ask those who have tried both ways. Reg Evens will offer his testimony after he was educated. Sounds like fun Jon.Here's the bank of 6 volt golf cart batteries I had in my all electric patio boat. Patio boat? Is that a boat you float on your patio or a patio you float on your boat:confused: Quote
Don Coatney Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 No....closer to the hand cranked Victrola. Do they still play the Paul Boomer vrs Lord Whindersmhere Crepation Contest on the hand cranked Victrola? Or is available on a cassett? It is interesting listening on whatever media, O No he Sh!t, the champion is disqualified! Quote
Reg Evans Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 Do they still play the Paul Boomer vrs Lord Whindersmhere Crepation Contest on the hand cranked Victrola? Or is available on a cassett? It is interesting listening on whatever media, O No he Sh!t, the champion is disqualified! What !?!?! I'd answer your question if I could butt, I guess it's that generation gap thing again. Quote
Reg Evans Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 Therin is the problem. Starting a cold engine is much easier if you use short bursts of the starter button. Ask those who have tried both ways. Reg Evens will offer his testimony after he was educated.I did and I meant it until yesterday. I went out to start Old Yeller and tried the tried and true Coatney method over and over and over again and she just wouldn't catch. Turned out I must have pulled in and parked the rig running on fumes. You didn't tell me bout that little nuance DON Patio boat? Is that a boat you float on your patio or a patio you float on your boat:confused: Next time you drop in I'll show ya. It's sorta like taking your living room out on the water and defying all the laws of physics and man. Quote
Don Coatney Posted October 10, 2009 Report Posted October 10, 2009 What !?!?! I'd answer your question if I could butt, I guess it's that generation gap thing again. I know I was born a few hours before you Reg so I will continue to educate you. Sorry you live in sheltered California:rolleyes: Make sure you follow all 3 links. Whatch out for the triple flutter blasts and folloup bloppers. Freeps are very danguerous. Fringe may allow a whiffle so it is not allowed. Dont scorn use of the farting post. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UL-08gy5ws http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkYRAUptkFw&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZWj5Gx5_ww&feature=related Quote
Reg Evans Posted October 11, 2009 Report Posted October 11, 2009 Don......I only wish I had been an air to that throne. Quote
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