2nd Battery Install

LeadDoggy · 09-03-2010, 07:34 PM

Looking into installing an inverter and a 2nd battery. The big question is how to keep the 2nd battery charged with the stock E350 charging system.

Isolator, Seperator, Solenoid

What is the best system to install? simple? reliable?

Thanks
LeadDoggy

carringb · 09-03-2010, 08:36 PM

The stock aux battery has a relay which is switched by the ignition.

Ford_6L_E350 · 09-04-2010, 09:37 AM

I use the SurePower 1315 battery separator:

http://www.surepower.com/pdf/separatorinterconnect.pdf

And have been quite happy with it. It is bi-directional (charging either battery will charge the other after reaching 13.2V. They also have one way separators available.

Mike

LeadDoggy · 09-04-2010, 05:36 PM

Mike,
the seperator was an item that I am interested in because of the simple install and operation. What's this bi and uni directional all about? Doesn't state that info on their pdf file.
One more thing for now: Why did you go with a seperator?

Thanks
Jim

Ford_6L_E350 · 09-04-2010, 06:13 PM

A bi-directional separator will charge in both directions. A uni-directional one will only charge in one direction.
Some of them allow the 2nd battery to assist the primary battery during starting. But, the main reason for using one is to allow charging of the 2nd battery while protecting the primary battery from discharge when using the 2nd battery for whatever.

I'm using a separator because SMB installed in 2004. In the 6 years and 75000 miles since it has worked flawlessly.

Mike

LeadDoggy · 09-05-2010, 07:34 AM

SOLD!

Thanks Mike

LeadDoggy out

floorguy_724 · 09-06-2010, 10:25 PM

So are you going with the 1315 100A or 200A? I would like to do this as well since my inverter now keeps draining my main battery (only have one) and pissing me off!!!

Lead keep us updated on the install!! Thanks

LeadDoggy · 09-07-2010, 06:23 PM

Have not yet made a final decision. Purchased only an inverter as of now. Also going to run my compressor from the 2nd battery. Presently looking for a nice battery box to mount under the floor on passenger side. Got some connectors picked out, just have not made any purchases.

As for your question, the 100 amp should be fine.

LeadDoggy out

**daveb** · 09-08-2010, 11:35 AM

Just the opposite for me, I've had the surepower give me nothing but problems. I know I've gone through 3 of them. Why I have had problems is beyond me. It's not mounted outside.

SMB quit using SurePower because they had a lot of trouble with them. Usually I was able to get the thing working by tapping on it or removing the ground and forcing it to open and close.

I like the blue sea that gives me full control of the operation and doesn't pull as many amps to operate as the Surepower. But those are new and who knows, maybe down the road I might have trouble with this company. The unit does work differently.

http://bluesea.com/category/2/productline/388

joey2cool · 09-09-2010, 12:57 PM

Hope this is not off topic too far, but I'm curious to know what size fuse SMB installed on the harness wire from your separater to your remote push-button starter. BlueSea specs out 2 amp fuse protection, but SMB West put in a 10 amp fuse for my 2010 van. An over-size fuse can result in damage to the unit and/or fire. Anybody blow their fuse? Wondering if I should change out the fuse to a smaller size one.