A 'what if' situation thats been bugging me...

[SparkandFire]

My van uses a IGN position wire to close a charge relay that ties the two batteries together.

The ACC position will not operate the relay, thus preventing the radio from draining the other battery.

I've taught all the members of my family to only place the key in ACC to listen to the radio...

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

It would take several hours and many pages to completely describe how I have added self-jump-start capability to our trucks; I will try to hit the high spots.

First, each truck has THREE Group-31S batteries, TWO for starting and ONE that handles ALL accessories.

This set-up is not nearly so complicated to install as it is to explain.

TWO batteries connect to the big starter cable and ONLY that cable, plus the push-button start and solenoid-relay power of course.

ONE battery has ALL other accessories connected to it, EVERYTHING.

The alternator charge-cable connects directly to the START battery circuit.

A big constant-duty solenoid/relay connects the ACCESSORY battery circuit to the alternator and the START batteries ONLY when the engine oil-pressure exceeds 5-PSI.

Plans are to install a second solenoid that will isolate the START batteries from the alternator as well to protect the truck from catching fire should an alternator short-circuit when no one is around; this happens more frequently than one might think and is the cause for many a house or barn to burn to the ground.

A BIG battery-switch between the START circuit and the ACCESSORY circuit provides the ability to self-jump-start the START circuit, in the event that something should happen to the START batteries.

A second BIG battery-switch has the ability to completely dis-connect the START batteries from the circuit, should some internal failure be causing a battery short-circuit.

I can leave any electrical system ON until the ACCESSORY battery is completely drained and have no effect whatsoever to the START batteries.

I devised this system after about the tenth time my wife left something ON and stranded herself; since this installation, I haven't had to go fetch her a single time.

The START batteries seem to last much longer and remain much stronger when they are isolated from the ACCESSORIES.


As for jumper-cable starting, it has a lot to do with the jumper-cables.

Those wimpy discount-store cables may work for a Datsun B210, but they aren't gonna cut it on a big diesel engine.

My cables are 2-AWG and it takes both hands to squeeze the clamps open.

The clamps will almost bite off a soft lead post.

I have no problem jump-starting with these cables.




If one is going to go to all the trouble of carrying/storing spare batteries, why not permanently mount them and wire them up as I have thus described.

Besides all the obvious advantages, my method also keeps the extra batteries in a constant state of charge.

 

[Devon Harley]

I carry a snap on jumper box it's one bad mother I've jumped my truck with one completly dead battery an a 99 stroker seconds later an it has plenty more to jump left. Best 450 I spent in awhile.

 

[FordGuy100]

My father is an electrician. He owns a mid to late 2000's Chevy Express van, with the 6.0L gasser. I guess one day his battery had nearly died. The starter would barely crank, and then start clicking, to give you an idea. He took one of his 18v Lithium cordless batteries, wired it up to the battery, and the sucker lit off. We might need two of them to start one of our IDI's

 

[icanfixall]

My father is an electrician. He owns a mid to late 2000's Chevy Express van, with the 6.0L gasser. I guess one day his battery had nearly died. The starter would barely crank, and then start clicking, to give you an idea. He took one of his 18v Lithium cordless batteries, wired it up to the battery, and the sucker lit off. We might need two of them to start one of our IDI's

I'm wondering how much life is left in those batteries after starting a gas engine.. Nice that your Dad knew how and what to do in a pinch....

 

[FordGuy100]

I'm wondering how much life is left in those batteries after starting a gas engine.. Nice that your Dad knew how and what to do in a pinch....

I dont know, but this gives you an idea of what they can do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkKRqaNPIBE

 

[Dieselcrawler]

ether and a hill. push start the sumbitch.

 

[460mudsports]

I live in a very agricultural region in southeast Arkansas. Around here almost every truck has a set of jumper cables that will jump start almost anything. IDI's are no problem to jump start compared to large farm tractors, combines, and semis. It is all about GOOD HEAVY cable and clips. We also solder the cables to the clips for better connections. You make sure you have a good connection and let them charge for several minutes before trying to start, if it is really dead or a large/hard to start engine.

Most of the jumper cables around here are 20 feet long and made from #1/0 welding lead. I paid more for the materials to build my set than I did for some of my trucks, but they NEVER let me down.