Dual batteries

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

No rewiring of the loom is needed at all. If you look closely the fuse/relay box (is this the PDC?) is now between the batteries and the firewall. It has enough play in it that I could move it all the way there without issue. I need to make a bracket to secure it there. It is just floating there for now.

Where I live in PA, diesels don't get an emission inspection. Some places do. But yea, that is all a little hidden now.

The batteries have about 140 ah (total combined rating).
https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/y ... gKaZfD_BwE

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Thu Jun 21, 2018 11:23 pm

Yes, PDC = Power Distribution Center. Fuses, Relays,... etc.

Just a suggestion, you might take sections of a bicycle inner tube or something to cover the aluminum straps across the top. Looks secure enough now, but I usually go overkill on the "just in case" safety stuff. If they ever managed to make contact, things could get ugly quick.

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

I don't think that is overboard. I was already thinking of getting some sort of edge guards for them but an inner tube over the whole thing would probably work better and could look nice if trimmed right and tight. Good idea. It is nerve racking every time I disconnect the batter because I know just how many amps are ready to be released with a simple accidental tool short to ground.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Jun 22, 2018 2:19 pm

GordnadoCRD wrote:

Yes, PDC = Power Distribution Center. Fuses, Relays,... etc.

Just a suggestion, you might take sections of a bicycle inner tube or something to cover the aluminum straps across the top. Looks secure enough now, but I usually go overkill on the "just in case" safety stuff. If they ever managed to make contact, things could get ugly quick.

I had the same concern when looking at his pictures! If that front battery were to viberate over enough to allow contact, the fireworks could get real ugly... :frankie:

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

The battery is boxed in below and can't shift towards the retaining bracket (left, right, or forward/ it would need to shear a bolt to move backward). That was the only reason I felt comfortable running a retaining bracket in that direction.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Fri Jun 22, 2018 5:08 pm

The straps seem to be performing their retaining/stabilizing function just fine under normal circumstances. I just worry sometimes about the other possibilities.

I was thinking... Perhaps better than the inner tube idea,,, maybe wrap them with that stretch-activated silicone repair tape. It should be far more durable and has really good electrical insulation and contact toughness compared to simple BUNA rubber. available in a variety of colors too, if that matters.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:37 pm

GordnadoCRD wrote:

The straps seem to be performing their retaining/stabilizing function just fine under normal circumstances. I just worry sometimes about the other possibilities.

I was thinking... Perhaps better than the inner tube idea,,, maybe wrap them with that stretch-activated silicone repair tape. It should be far more durable and has really good electrical insulation and contact toughness compared to simple BUNA rubber. available in a variety of colors too, if that matters.

Or better yet, make the cross piece out of Lexan or fiberglass, both non conductive....

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

I am fresh out of both. Aluminum was all I had. I could hack a corian cutting board or something. That would be a little stronger than HDPE which is what I think they are usually made of.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:33 am

Sorry to interject chaos into your project. I wasn't suggesting you needed to re-invent the thing, since you already have something that's perfectly functional. I just saw an opportunity where it might be made safer in extraordinary circumstances.

joelukex4 · **Joined:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 4:54 pm **Posts:** 386

Just spray the aluminum with a curing undercoating. Tough & nonconductive.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2018 3:59 pm

joelukex4 wrote:

Just spray the aluminum with a curing undercoating. Tough & nonconductive.

Spray bedliner is better; tough as nails after it cures! Autozone sells it in spray cans.... :wink:

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

Now that's and idea.
I even have some of that around.

joelukex4 · **Joined:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 4:54 pm **Posts:** 386

WWDiesel wrote:

joelukex4 wrote:

Just spray the aluminum with a curing undercoating. Tough & nonconductive.

Spray bedliner is better; tough as nails after it cures! Autozone sells it in spray cans.... :wink:

Same thing , that is why I stated curing undercoating. I use bedliner as an undercoating. Polyurea or polyurethane.

Dual batteries

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