Dual battery draw question

**turboguy327** · 02-06-2016

I have a 2012 mega cab and use it for plowing. I have my caution lights and the plow and any other aftermarket stuff is all hooked to the left side battery. I'll be installing a amplifier soon and would also hook the power wire up to the left battery. Should I go out of my way a little bit and use the right side battery so the draw is a little more even? Or will it not matter to the batteries? It's only a 800 watt max amp. It's not a huge deal to buy a couple extra feet of cable if it will let me get more service life out of my batteries.

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**Power247** · 02-06-2016

I'm hoping to learn something here as I've been wondering about this too.

Right now I have my amp power wire connected to the driver side battery as well as the power for my HIDs. I connected my lights bar power to the passenger side battery but only because it was closer....

Greg
2012 | 2500 | CCLB | Custom MCC by Double R Diesel

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**turboguy327** · 02-06-2016

Originally Posted by Power247

I'm hoping to learn something here as I've been wondering about this too.

Right now I have my amp power wire connected to the driver side battery as well as the power for my HIDs. I connected my lights bar power to the passenger side battery but only because it was closer....

Greg
2012 | 2500 | CCLB | Custom MCC by Double R Diesel

Where did you run your power wire? Clutch pedal cut out?

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**Power247** · 02-06-2016

Originally Posted by turboguy327

Where did you run your power wire? Clutch pedal cut out?

I actually ran it under the truck beside the fuel line and then up under the back seat through one of the drain plugs. Let me see if I can find a pic...

Greg
2012 | 2500 | CCLB | Custom MCC by Double R Diesel

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**Power247** · 02-06-2016

Originally Posted by turboguy327

Where did you run your power wire? Clutch pedal cut out?

Here's a link to the build http://www.igotacummins.com/showthread.php?t=3174

Greg
2012 | 2500 | CCLB | Custom MCC by Double R Diesel

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**turboguy327** · 02-06-2016

Originally Posted by Power247

Here's a link to the build http://www.igotacummins.com/showthread.php?t=3174

Greg
2012 | 2500 | CCLB | Custom MCC by Double R Diesel

I'll have to see where my body vents are and see if it will work for a mega cab. Thanks man. Hopefully somebody has some insight on the battery situation for us.

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**AnOldBiker** · 02-06-2016

I'd like to find out the answer to this question also.

I was with the understanding that it was best to leave the draw for the truck / engine mainly on the main, the driver side ... and all the after market accessories to the passenger side battery.
By doing this, there was to be less draw on each battery when maximizing life for each.
But I heard this discussion many many years ago and I never confirmed this as accurate information.

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**Polaraco** · 02-06-2016

Originally Posted by AnOldBiker

I'd like to find out the answer to this question also.

I was with the understanding that it was best to leave the draw for the truck / engine mainly on the main, the driver side ... and all the after market accessories to the passenger side battery.
By doing this, there was to be less draw on each battery when maximizing life for each.
But I heard this discussion many many years ago and I never confirmed this as accurate information.

Well yes and no. It really shouldn't matter. That's a 2/0 wire between the two batteries. It's like filling a 6" pipe with an eyedropper. The Alternator feeds back to the left battery. So the whole truck and your accessories will draw from that first. The higher voltage, the alternator, will get drawn on first. Over all, it doesn't matter.

Think of electricity like hydraulics. Same principle, just electricity is atoms vs. liquid

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**Power247** · 02-06-2016

Originally Posted by Polaraco

Well yes and no. It really shouldn't matter. That's a 2/0 wire between the two batteries. It's like filling a 6" pipe with an eyedropper. The Alternator feeds back to the left battery. So the whole truck and your accessories will draw from that first. The higher voltage, the alternator, will get drawn on first. Over all, it doesn't matter.

Think of electricity like hydraulics. Same principle, just electricity is atoms vs. liquid

I just knew you would have the answer!! Thanks @Polaraco!

Greg
2012 | 2500 | CCLB | Custom MCC by Double R Diesel

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