93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery?

Posted By: MoparBilly

93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 02/28/13 06:15 AM

Seems I'm constantly fighting to keep enough battery in my truck. The 12 Valve and killer stereo system and pulling trailers...so I'd like to add a second battery...any aftermarket kits to do this, or will I have to fab it up myself??

Posted By: hp383

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 02/28/13 06:45 AM

Im not sure about the kits, but is your truck using an actual diesel rated battery? It seems that many parts stores are selling a non-diesel battery in place of the OEM type replacement.

Not sure why, but as an example O'Reilly's doesn't even list a battery for the 93 CTD trucks. So they often just sell the group 27 battery to customers.

I don't know if there would be room on the passenger side near the air box or not for a second. My truck had a second battery on the frame rail under the box, a fabbed battery box was attached to the frame, and lead wires ran along the inner frame rail, up to the main battery.

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 02/28/13 01:49 PM

Quote:

Seems I'm constantly fighting to keep enough battery in my truck. The 12 Valve and killer stereo system and pulling trailers...so I'd like to add a second battery...any aftermarket kits to do this, or will I have to fab it up myself??

Are you running a group 31 battery? The interstate part would be 31P-MHD which is a 950CCA. You might actually be able to go down some in CCA to help increase service life since you live in AZ, an Interstate part for that would be a 31P-LHD 750CCA. I work for interstate in case you couldn't tell, but those part numbers should be easily crossed by anyone.

I had a 92 for awhile that had a 6 year old battery in it and it started fine even in single digit temps. It lacked the killer stereo though.

With as easy as those rotary pump motors start you could probably just hang a hand crank out the front that you could kick before you get in

. My friends and I joked that you could start my old 92 beater by hitting the alternator pulley with a hammer lol.

Posted By: hp383

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 02/28/13 05:54 PM

Hey Bad340fish,

Does Interstate make a dual terminal in a group 31 or a group 27?

Im looking for one to replace the discontinued Super Start Premium that went bad.

Posted By: redraptor

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/01/13 01:59 AM

Quote:

Seems I'm constantly fighting to keep enough battery in my truck. The 12 Valve and killer stereo system and pulling trailers...so I'd like to add a second battery...any aftermarket kits to do this, or will I have to fab it up myself??

If your alternator can't keep up then eventually you will kill the 2nd battery. They should also be matched (new) if you go thru with it.

Posted By: hp383

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/01/13 02:44 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Seems I'm constantly fighting to keep enough battery in my truck. The 12 Valve and killer stereo system and pulling trailers...so I'd like to add a second battery...any aftermarket kits to do this, or will I have to fab it up myself??

If your alternator can't keep up then eventually you will kill the 2nd battery. They should also be matched (new) if you go thru with it.

A battery isolator is something to consider as well.

It will also help to prevent total loss of both batteries. Say you wire a pair up parallel to get a dual battery feed to power the vehicle electronics, and the second for the accessories, they all share the battery power.

If you leave the lights on, or run the stereo too long you could possibly drain the batteries to the point they would leave you stranded.

With the isolator, the vehicle power can be isolated from the accessories, then if you drain one battery, you still have the other to get you going again.

Posted By: Rhinodart

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/01/13 03:23 AM

I have the same issue with my 93. Nobody makes the right battery anymore, I am using a group 65 that was in my 2004, but of course there are two of them. I will be watching this thread and I WILL buy one of those isolators as I have a battery on the back of my ramp truck to run the winch and it is cabled to the start battery.

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/01/13 03:30 AM

Quote:

I have the same issue with my 93. Nobody makes the right battery anymore, I am using a group 65 that was in my 2004, but of course there are two of them. I will be watching this thread and I WILL buy one of those isolators as I have a battery on the back of my ramp truck to run the winch and it is cabled to the start battery.

Go to interstate and use the part numbers I mentioned above. I usually have over 40 on hand and I would guess the same around the country. Any farm supply should carry that style.

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/01/13 03:32 AM

Quote:

Hey Bad340fish,

Does Interstate make a dual terminal in a group 31 or a group 27?

Im looking for one to replace the discontinued Super Start Premium that went bad.

Nope no dual terminal. You could use a marine 27 cranking battery and have an automotive post and a 5/16th stud.

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/01/13 08:48 AM

My buddy uses a semi truck battery in his 93. He also wants to add in a second battery but I think space is the issue.

Posted By: Lugnutz

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/01/13 03:39 PM

I run a group 31 Interstate battery in mine and its rated at 1125 CCA............I occasionally pull a single car hauler trailer and haul my travel trailer with it. I don't have a killer stereo but do have a portable winch for those just in case moments.No problems.

Posted By: MMiller

Re: 93 350 CTD...adding 2nd battery? - 03/04/13 02:39 AM

I'll have to go look, but on my 93 and my 85 I bought two 700 or 800 CCA batteries, and turned them sideways and put them on the same tray. I had to make a new hold down, and some short cables to tie the two batteries together. This way I end up with 1400 or 1600 CCA without trying to track down an expensive/elusive battery. Now both my trucks carry a relativly generic battery that away from home I should be able to find at nearly any parts store.

Michael