Ground for dual battery
- Thread starter BurbanAZ
- Start date
WagoneerSX4
Adventurer
Depends on the vehicle. If it's a full frame vehicle you're probably fine. But my unibody suzuki is a huge pain to ground properly.
4x4junkie
Explorer
I would suggest running another ground cable (same size as your positive cable) straight from your primary battery to the frame also.
Without that, I could see current trying to find it's way down some thin little factory ground wire somewhere and smoking it (along with something more expensive), as the factory battery (and alternator) is normally grounded to the engine block, rather than the frame.
Without that, I could see current trying to find it's way down some thin little factory ground wire somewhere and smoking it (along with something more expensive), as the factory battery (and alternator) is normally grounded to the engine block, rather than the frame.
doug720
Expedition Leader
I don't think you can have too many grounds. I tie both of my batteries in my 60 to the body, frame and engine. With one ground to the starter. This is how Toyota wired them stock and Isuzu grounded the battery to the starter stock also.
Many odd electrical problems - intermittent lights, odd readings, etc, are often ground related. Make grounds to solid connections and tie all the isolated parts - body, frame and engine together.
Many odd electrical problems - intermittent lights, odd readings, etc, are often ground related. Make grounds to solid connections and tie all the isolated parts - body, frame and engine together.
wrcsixeight
Adventurer
Frame grounds tend to deteriorate, and yet appear fine and tight upon visual inspection.
When Unthreaded one finds the mating surfaces white and oxidized.
Make super shiny both mating surfaces, and cover with grease after rethreading to prevent oxidation.
+1 on adding an additional battery to frame ground, or even an engine to frame ground.
When the big grounds fail and large currents seek a return path to ground through thinner wires, bad things can happen.
Reduce the likelihood of this occurrence.
When Unthreaded one finds the mating surfaces white and oxidized.
Make super shiny both mating surfaces, and cover with grease after rethreading to prevent oxidation.
+1 on adding an additional battery to frame ground, or even an engine to frame ground.
When the big grounds fail and large currents seek a return path to ground through thinner wires, bad things can happen.
Reduce the likelihood of this occurrence.
CaliMobber
Adventurer
If you Have not done the BIG 3 grounding mod I highly recommend it. I saw a good voltage increase from it.
Ground battery to the frame/ engine block and alternator.
My second battery is just grounded to the frame since i have so many grounds off the main battery.
Ground battery to the frame/ engine block and alternator.
My second battery is just grounded to the frame since i have so many grounds off the main battery.
BurbanAZ
Explorer
Yea I've seen other people talking about that but I haven't done it yet. I'm going to have to now that I'm adding a bunch of electrical stuff.
I was going to mount to the same point that the frame is connected to the engine block but I didn't see it. Plus if I do the BIG 3 upgrade than I'll have a better ground to frame.
Are these vehicles just badly grounded from factory?
BurbanAZ
Explorer
You could try something like this...
This seems like the best idea so far though
CaliMobber
Adventurer
Not any worse then other cars. The BIG 3 is a popular mod for all cars. They just ground it well enough for stock but once we start adding more and demanding more the grounding becomes a chock point.
I would say dont worry to much on where its grounded. the frame is a tough one. The bolt I used was pretty small, just be sure to sand it down before you add the wire. You can use a little spray paint over it once it tightened down to protect from rust.
I would say dont worry to much on where its grounded. the frame is a tough one. The bolt I used was pretty small, just be sure to sand it down before you add the wire. You can use a little spray paint over it once it tightened down to protect from rust.