2 Batteries and No Alternator

[echomodder]

I was thinking of adding a 2nd battery to my car, and disconnecting the alternator. I know the batteries will discharge after a while so I was thinking of adding a solar panel to the car that is designed to recharge car batteries (ie will not over charge them) I was wondering what you guys think of this?

[Cd]

Like .................... AndrewJ has already done ?

http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthrea...312.html?t=312

[AndrewJ]

the idea gets a big from me!

I gained about 20% with it, Darin got 10%
So, as always, YMMV.

P.S. Don't forget the digital voltmeter, don't let those batteries get below 11.7v!

[echomodder]

Thanks for the feedback. This site ROCKS I'll see if I can do it this weekend.

[Daox]

Welcome to the site echomodder (like the name too ).

[Ryland]

A lead acid battery at 11.7 is 80% discharged, getting down below 50% discharged shortens the battery life a great deal.

100% 12.7v
90% 12.6v
80% 12.5v
70% 12.3v
60% 12.2v
50% 12.1v
40% 12.0v
30% 11.8v
20% 11.7v
10% 11.6v
00% less then 11.6 volts, if you let them get this far down more then a few times then it's a good idea to start shopping for a new battery.

[NoCO2]

A question for AndrewJ, I've been thinking of doing this for the Camry as well because I've noticed that if I EOC for too long at night when I have my headlights on, I sometimes have a very hard time restarting my engine when it's time to start accelerating again. How exactly did you hook up the volt meter to the batteries? I saw your little blog/forum post thing about your solar/battery setup, but you didn't show any pictures of how you hooked up the volt meter. My volt meter only has two little probs to test voltage momentarily, but I don't have ny aligator clips for it. I'm assuming all you did was splice the wires for the batteries in two spots and aligator clip it in to keep a voltage reading?

[apgrok1]

What about putting two extra batteries in series and the use a voltage regulator/stabilizer instead of the alternator? You would always be charging your main battery from the 24V and supplying a constant 13.2 volts. The ECU would never know the difference.

[COMP]

don't forget the Ign. system likes voltage

[echomodder]

Thanks everyone I will be doing this mod. Not shure about this weekend now though (wedding to go to) but all the same its good to know help and experience is out there.
PS. BTW thanks to Daox for the tip about www.car-part.com SUPER GREAT site!!! Found an eng. for my car (that I can mod/play with) for $350!!!