adding a second battery?

[1972hiboy]

Hey guys, Id like to add a second battery to my f250 to accomodate my cabover camper. I think the factory dual battery setup was just two batterys in parrallel to each other having 12v but added amperage. Id like to isolate the second battery to be used just for providing power to the camper but still be charged by the alternator. Has anyone done this already and have a good simple wiring diagram? any ideas? any input from the group would be great.

Rich

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

you just need an automatic battery isolator and then hook both batteries to it. it will decide when to charge the camper battery and will prevent the camper from running the starting battery dead.

it basically hooks up with 3 terminals. 1 from the alternator, and 1 for each battery positive lead.

[1972hiboy]

Thanks for the reply! I was just checking out some of the autmatic battery isolators,northern has one and cole-hersee has a nice looking one. its really that simple? thats terrific. I think I was making it out to be way more complicated than it needed to be.

[Mancar1]

you just need an automatic battery isolator and then hook both batteries to it. it will decide when to charge the camper battery and will prevent the camper from running the starting battery dead.

it basically hooks up with 3 terminals. 1 from the alternator, and 1 for each battery positive lead.

That is what I did for Dad on his.......78 Cheby

[1972hiboy]

nice, how has that worked for your dads truck? pretty reliable?

[Mancar1]

It worked great for him for several years. He is gone now and I sold the truck for Mom. The guy that has it still goes camping with the same camper Dad used on it.