So I had to get boosted by a Dodge today, how embarrasing.

What is the biggest battery (most reserve capacity) that will fit in the stock location, and what brand? Do the dry cell batteries like the Optima's have more reserve?

The problem is that I use my truck for work, it is my office, and I am always plugging things into the 12V plugs, or into the hardwired inverter mounted under the back seat. Things like laptop, printer, battery chargers for cordless tools etc. Idling the truck for that many hours continuously is both hard on fuel and the engine I would think.

Another thing I would like to find is a small automotive adjustable voltage relay that I can use to turn off my inverter at say 11.5 volts to prevent excessive battery drain for those times where I get to busy and forget to go back and start the truck. Any suggestions?

 

Add a second battery. You would have to get a splitter that runs from the alternator to allow the use of multiple batteries. This is commonly done for high wattage audio systems.

 

Get yourself 2 Optimas and do a twin battery set-up.

 

If you use it that much, you might want to get two batteries, both Optimas with a diode isolator to keep the batteries seperate. Then you would use the non-starting battery for the inverter.

You can get two Optima types that will fit in a standard single battery box. The Optimas perform a lot better than a stock battery so each one would be as good as you have now.

Or a power off switch for low voltage is out there. I don't have a link, but you can find them with google. They automaticly switch off if you drop below a pre-set voltage.
Still be a good idea to put a much more powerful battery in the truck.

Now for the cheap solution... First, upgrade your battery. Then buy one of those cheap battery packs, used for jumpstarting trucks. Keep it in the truck and when you do manage to run the battery all the way down, just use the pack.

 

This is a route many rock crawlers take, dual battery setups for winch use. Many times, a battery dies half way up the obstacle due to the winch, most people think a winch is all they need, many never consider the battery draw. If you were to leave your truck on, a dual alternator setup would be another approach, but it's not sensible in this case. Honestly, if you leave it on I doubt much gas would be waisted, maybe someone here can answer that, depending on your idle speed.

 

My Optima red top is now almost 2 yrs old. It started out in the first 04 F150 I had in Dec 03, put 15k on it in that truck in 6 mos. Switched it to the second 04 F150 I had and put 13k on it on 6 months. Its now been in my 05 for 11 months and 21k miles and works awesome. I too plug a lot of crap in and run it without the motor running and never experience a slow crank. The one that fits our trucks is a 900 CCA model (stock is 750 cca). I really think you will be fine with one red top and don't need to fool with two. Just my .02 good luck.

 

Get one yellow top Optima and you should be fine...the factory batteries as CRAP. If the one wont do it then add a second, but I would give the one a try first. I can play my stereo for hours without even cranking the truck up and it won't kill mine...and thats saying something. The last time I Zainoed and detailed the truck I know I played it for 3hrs and it fired right up when I was done. The stock battery wouldnt last 20min. I couldnt be happier with my yellow top!!!

 

Thanks guys, I will definitely look into the different Optima batteries and their ratings. Are there any other brands other than the optima to check into?

I thought about a second battery, just not sure where I could put it, under hood would be ideal, but it doesn't look like there's room to put it. The bed already has a toolbox that takes up the bottom 14" of the whole bed space, a crossover box at the front, and what little is left is for hauling, so the bed isn't an option either.

I have burnt up to a 1/4 tank of gas idling some days (and I have the optional bigger tank). What I need is more reserve, not more current, so two alternators I don't think are the answer for my case.

 

Did you read that you can fit TWO optima batteries in the stock location

So finding a spot for it wont be a problem.

 

batt in my 04 is rated at 650 cold cranking amps...crap

 

kia uses interstate and some of their cars have 750cca

 

I bought a optima red top, it was bad from the shop and would not hold a charge, I want back to the ford battery and have had no problems

 

I was wondering could you please tell me what the wires running form your yellow top to the deal connected to the firewall is?

 

The wire is a 4GA power wire going to my amps (actually to a distribution block then my amps), and the thing on the firewall is a in line fuse for the power wire.

 

Ahhhh I see said the blind man Thanks for the info.