Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93724
INSTALL BATTERY DOUBLE-UP Upgrading to dual batteries gives working Chevy/GMC 1500s a big electrical buff er By Bruce W. Smith drain on any pickup's stock electrical system when the truck is sitting on a jobsite with the engine off . Even with the engine running the amp load I needed to power such an array of accessories can put a strain on the stock electrical system. Add a plow, connect to a weak trailer battery or fl ip on auxiliary driving, fog or work lights and the battery is going to take a hard hit. In preparation for adding an inverter, warn- ing lights and a few other work truck "neces- saries" on Project Bedrock — our 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 – we decided it was a good idea to double-up the batteries. MAKING CONNECTIONS If your shop doesn't have battery cable crimping tools, consider bat- tery terminal connectors like those used by upscale audio shops. DB 34 PROPICKUP April 2012 Link (dblink.net) is a good source. They off er several styles of battery terminals that are gold plated so they resist corrosion. The ports in the terminal are designed to lock stripped cable ends in place with Allen set screws. No crimping neces- sary. Fast and convenient. nverters, coolers, radios, warning strobes, laptops, battery chargers, printers and other necessary accessories put a big A GM battery retainer, which costs $5, is all that you need to lock the second battery in the auxiliary battery tray. Wiring diagram that comes with the Cole Heresee 48530 Smart battery Isolator lines out the installation. Stock Chevy/GMC 1500s come with a single Group 48 battery located in the passenger's- side rear corner of the engine bay. There's also an unused battery tray on the driver's front corner; there's no TP2 (dual-battery option) for the 1500s, so it's a mystery why it's there. Whatever the reason, it does make it easy to double-up the batteries. All you need is a GM Battery Retainer (#14005061) that costs less than $5, a second battery and a bat- tery isolator designed to work with the new electronics.