Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Charging a battery from the trucks alternator?

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Wouldn't it be easier to just install another battery in parallel? I run dual batteries and have never run out. If you go with the alternator you want to make sure you use a switch so your truck will always start!

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brett I think that image is what I'm trying to do. Except one battery is under the hood and the other is in the bed of the truck. Boat batt switch is perfect.

Brian C Jackson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I just run battery cables off the main battery and go directly to the battery near my pump.

Dave O · Retired Member

Another thing to consider is what we do. We keep a battery charger hardwired to the battery and power the charger with the HO's outlet. This keeps the battery at or near 100% and you don't need to charge it overnight at the shop.

www.advantageroofcleaning.com/soft-washing-exterior-siding-cleaning/

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Dave, one of the worst things you can do to a battery is over charge it. I use nothing but a 2 amp trickle charge for two marine batteries. Since they are in parallel, I switch the charging each day across both batteries so one does not get charged more than the other. Always charge two batteries across both batteries and don't charge just one thinking it will bleed over to the other. I hope that made sense!

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I use a Battery Tender. Works great when I remember to plug it in

www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-022-0157-1-Waterproof-Charger/dp/B002DU3S9A/ref=sr_1_23

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I currently use a smart battery charger that is mounted to the bed of the truck. Usually charge over night. Sometimes plug it in on the job if were busy.

What id like to accomplish is to have the battery charging while the truck is driving to and from jobs. This should keep the battery fully charged at all times. it will also give me the option to use the vehicles battery in an emergency.

Anyone have an idea on how heavy gauge of wire i would need to run? id guess length of wire is about 15ft or more

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Erik, a year ago I looked into this and for a similar length I think I figured 16ft I needed the heavy duty inverter needed a 2 or 0 guage WIRE!

Now I think if I mount the inverter near the cab and only use say 6ft then run an extension cord to where I need it can use a far thinner guage. Maybe 8 guage.

I'd consult an audio shop tech. They tend to know their wiring needs.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

You need to add a Isolator to your truck. Try Auto Zone or Amazon. Here'sa you tube

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Here's another Vid

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

That's so much more complex than I wanted to go. If I put an inverter in do I still need an isolator?

Dave O · Retired Member

BlueRidge wrote:
Dave, one of the worst things you can do to a battery is over charge it. I use nothing but a 2 amp trickle charge for two marine batteries. Since they are in parallel, I switch the charging each day across both batteries so one does not get charged more than the other. Always charge two batteries across both batteries and don't charge just one thinking it will bleed over to the other. I hope that made sense!

The nice thing about the charger I use it that is prevents the battery from getting overcharged. So far, it has worked great.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Deep cycle batteries should be trickle charged to get the most out of them .
From what I understand is fast charging limits the working time before they go dead and create a "memory ".
If that hold true I'd rather run 2 batteries in line