Very good comments Diplostrat. One option, is a switch position on the Traxide that keeps the 2nd battery separated unless the vehicle is running. This might be a good position to run, to avoid running down the voltage on the starter battery. I am playing around with the various settings, and doing to testing with the multimeter, will pass on how it goes if anyone is interested. The 160 options does have a lot of options. There reason I like it, is that it is a fairly complete package, that does not take up a done of space.
Can you start your car with your secondary battery (National Luna)
- Thread starter ssssnake529
- Start date
dwh
Tail-End Charlie
That's true, but for an initial battery-to-battery surge...it isn't much to begin with. Smartguage has the math:
http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/nosurge2.html
For self-jumping, it's pretty much going to be limited to whatever the starter draws which is pretty much going to be less than most people think.
I've self-jumped the 460 in my truck a few times through the 80a dumb solenoid without issues. It wouldn't do it with the factory style #4 battery cables that were on the truck when I got it. After I swapped them out for 1/0 welding cable it self-jumped no sweat.
DiploStrat
Expedition Leader
Agreed; I read that page back in the day. I was actually thinking of the initial charge rate. I routinely see sustained rates of over 150A. But, as I rarely have to actually charge more than 150Ah, it quickly drops to about half that. That is the annoying thing about lead acid batteries; they will only take a charge as fast as they want. So even though I have 250A of alternator, I am lucky if I can get half an hour at 150A charge rate. The actual rate quickly drops to around 50A. Of course, the good news is that, on a sunny day, I can get 30A on solar alone.
As you are so fond of pointing out, while a fast bulk charge is interesting, a long absorb charge is essential. (Which is why we are all lusting after lithium!
As you are so fond of pointing out, while a fast bulk charge is interesting, a long absorb charge is essential. (Which is why we are all lusting after lithium!