Do I need to run a battery relay/isolator?

[HI LIFE 0]

I am going to start installing my system next week and I am going to add a 2400 amp kinetik battery in the cab of my truck. I have seen some people say that all I need to do to hook up the 2 batteries is run 0 gauge wire with a fuse connecting them. But I have also seen people say when you run 2 batteries you need to wire in a relay or isolator between the 2 batteries. What do most of you run?

Specs:

Stock Alt.

Optima Red Top for the started battery

2400 amp kinetik battery

0 gauge wire

Audioque 2200 watt amp

2 Fi Q15's

Kenwood 140 4ch. amp

-Alex

[jcarter1885 995]

I am going to start installing my system next week and I am going to add a 2400 amp kinetik battery in the cab of my truck. I have seen some people say that all I need to do to hook up the 2 batteries is run 0 gauge wire with a fuse connecting them. But I have also seen people say when you run 2 batteries you need to wire in a relay or isolator between the 2 batteries. What do most of you run?

Specs:

Stock Alt.

Optima Red Top for the started battery

2400 amp kinetik battery

0 gauge wire

Audioque 2200 watt amp

2 Fi Q15's

Kenwood 140 4ch. amp

-Alex

Usually when dealing with two different brands of batteries or playing with the car off a relay/isolator is needed.

[jonbearsmt 919]

issolators are only needed when playing with the car off.... otherwise you only need fuses at both ends....

shizzon may disagree.

[CrazyKenKid 64]

when mixing and matching batteries it is best to use a soleniod a 300amp soleniod, this will prevent one batteries from killing the other battery over time! you can also use a battery isolator but when you use those they will give you a voltage drop not a huge one but still enough.

soleniod

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=381

battery isolator

http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/alternators/isolators.html

as you can see the battery isolators are a little bit more expensive.

[SmokeyDog 6]

been running two batteries for 2 years knock on wood no problems I use just fuses, never had anything else. To add I never run the car with out the car running.

[CrazyKenKid 64]

ya me two i almsot installed a soleniod but i never got around to it so ya! lol. and i have not run into an issue YET.

keep in mind my buddy actually ran into an issue! he completely KILLED his front battery. I believe the front battery was a interstate something. i bet it was old and very old but still once he install his sound system (1200rms) the battery jsut died the next year! so who knows! maybe it jsut depends on how new your batteries are!

[djphilly 11]

if you wanna keep you front battery seperate from your rear then yes run an isolator

[Julian 641]

I was always told to run one only if your car is going to sit for awhile, to keep them from moving power from front to the back batteries.

although i run without one just fuses nothing is wrong *knock on wood twice* i know people who don't run them.

[jonbearsmt 919]

if you wanna keep you front battery seperate from your rear then yes run an isolator

it only works that while NOT charging......

so only when the car is off.

i run diffrent cells and have never had a problem.....

i used an isso for a month or so.. untill i melted the output 2 post off.

[HI LIFE 0]

I guess i will run a 300 amp soleniod, I dont see a down side to running one. But should I have it some on when the key is turned to accessory so like just the raido is on, or should i wire it to come on when the key is turned to run?

[Notorious97200 339]

My guess is that it must be running when you play music with the engine off, no matter how is the position of your key.

Am I wrong or not ??!!!