question about running dual batteries

hey everyone! i just had a question and was curious if anyone can
help... i want to run dual batteries in my cherokee, but dont want to
use an isolator... i just want to wire the batteries in parallel.
anyways, i had someone tell me the other day that if u do it this way,
the batteries have to be exactly the same, otherwise the smaller batt
will blow. right now i just have a starting batt puttin out
1000ca/875cca and i really dont wanna ditch it if i dont have to... my
second battery i just got is a yellow top optima... i got it bc i
needed something to regulate my voltage. my amp pushes about 2000watts
and when my hellas are on u can add another 1000watts to that. i put in
a 140amp alternator which helps alot, but my voltage drops soooo much
under all that stress.... so anyways, if i have to buy one more yellow
top i will, but id rather run it with the one i have now if its
possible... just figured id ask before ****ing something up thanks
everyone!

I would highly recommend that you visit www.wranglernw.com,
and check out their "Battery Manager" system. It gives you so much
more flexability and control over the two battery setup.
I have an Optima Red Top for starting, and a Yellow Top for powering
accessories, and the Wrangler Manager. I'm very happy with it.

Mike

"joe" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> hey everyone! i just had a question and was curious if anyone can
> help... i want to run dual batteries in my cherokee, but dont want to
> use an isolator... i just want to wire the batteries in parallel.
> anyways, i had someone tell me the other day that if u do it this way,
> the batteries have to be exactly the same, otherwise the smaller batt
> will blow. right now i just have a starting batt puttin out
> 1000ca/875cca and i really dont wanna ditch it if i dont have to... my
> second battery i just got is a yellow top optima... i got it bc i
> needed something to regulate my voltage. my amp pushes about 2000watts
> and when my hellas are on u can add another 1000watts to that. i put in
> a 140amp alternator which helps alot, but my voltage drops soooo much
> under all that stress.... so anyways, if i have to buy one more yellow
> top i will, but id rather run it with the one i have now if its
> possible... just figured id ask before ****ing something up thanks
> everyone!
>

You can't do it and expect the batteries to have a long life.

No two batteries are made the same and if you get two identical with the
same build date and 0 hours on them you might get them to last about
half the life a single battery would last.

The charging rate will not be identical so the alternator will put out
high until the lowest battery is charged. This will cook the fluid out
of and heat up the better battery by overcharging.

I used to have a fleet of electric boats and at first tried to wire two
batteries in parallel to save on chargers. These were all the same
batteries with removable tops so they could be topped up with distilled
water. I has a pile boil way down before the second was even bubbling
and a pile of failures. When I went one for one with the chargers, no
more troubles.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

joe wrote:
>
> hey everyone! i just had a question and was curious if anyone can
> help... i want to run dual batteries in my cherokee, but dont want to
> use an isolator... i just want to wire the batteries in parallel.
> anyways, i had someone tell me the other day that if u do it this way,
> the batteries have to be exactly the same, otherwise the smaller batt
> will blow. right now i just have a starting batt puttin out
> 1000ca/875cca and i really dont wanna ditch it if i dont have to... my
> second battery i just got is a yellow top optima... i got it bc i
> needed something to regulate my voltage. my amp pushes about 2000watts
> and when my hellas are on u can add another 1000watts to that. i put in
> a 140amp alternator which helps alot, but my voltage drops soooo much
> under all that stress.... so anyways, if i have to buy one more yellow
> top i will, but id rather run it with the one i have now if its
> possible... just figured id ask before ****ing something up thanks
> everyone!

I dont know much about hte Jeeps, but I run a set of red top
optimas,wired in parallel. They have been good for about 2 1/2 years.
no isolator. I have heard there is something specific to the Rover
charging system that allows this but I dont know for sure. I also have
a "mean green" high output alternator. I think its a 190 amp, might be
210. I dont run much off of amps, only a small 250rms unit. I do run a
total of 8aux lamps and I never see a draw, even with everything on and
the stereo up.