When you build a custom truck that sports a killer stereo system that includes the best electronics your money can buy and then 'bag your ride so you don't look like a sucker while you're out cruising, you're going to need extra power to supply those amp-sucking systems. After spending a whole night cruising the streets, pumping your tunes, and flexing your 'bags against every other person with a pumped-up ride, you may find it hard to start your truck again after that last visit to the gas station. To remedy this, we found an automotive battery that not only can take the abuse that mini-truckers throw at their vehicle's electrical systems every day, but is safer than most batteries on the market. The battery we found is a permanently sealed unit that can be safely installed inside a vehicle since it produces no gases. On the following pages, you'll get the low-down on installing a dual battery setup that will provide you with enough power to get your ride started again and on your way home. For more information on the products used, check out the source section of this article.
Battery Type:
The Odyssey PC 1200 is a sealed dry cell battery. It's a valve-regulated, acid-type that uses gas-recombination technology for longevity and renewal. The PC 1200 is built from a high-purity lead/tin grid existing in a starved electrolyte. Since the battery is permanently sealed, it does not produce gas and is safe for interior installations.
Battery Size:
Length of the PC 1200 is 7-7/8 inches, with a depth of 6-11/16 inches and a height measurement of 7-1/2 inches. Considering the output of this battery, it's the smallest, most powerful automotive energy cell we've seen to date.
Battery Weight:
Total weight of the PC 1200 is 38.0 pounds each.
Battery Output:
The Odyssey PC 1200 pulses 1,200 5-second cranking amps. That's a total of 630 cold-cranking amps to use the outdated method of cranking amps.
Recharging times:
Time needed on a 10-amp charger is only 4 hours, whereas charge time on a 20-amp charger is less at 3-1/2 hours for an optimal charge of 12.84 volts.
Deep-Cycle Life Expectancy:
The Odyssey PC 1200 can be deep-cycled as many as 500 times without damaging the battery.
Battery Life Expectancy:
Under medium to heavy-duty usage, the PC 1200 should last approximately five years. Under lighter-duty conditions, the service life of the PC 1200 may extend as long as eight years.
2 -- Odyssey PC 1200 dry cell batteries
20 feet 4-gauge Scosche Power EFX wire
(sold in 125- or 250-foot spools)
2 -- P4RTSI -- 4-gauge ring terminals
10 feet 8-gauge Scosche Power EFX wire
(sold in 250- or 500-foot spools)
1 -- PMBC200 -- 200-amp multi-battery contactor
4 -- PBCSGI -- Battery connection system terminals
1 -- P4RT-4 -- 4-gauge crimp-style ring terminals
1. First, since the vehicle...
1. First, since the vehicle we're installing the dual battery setup in has been severely lowered (aka, body dropped), we tidied up the electrical wiring running into and out of the cab. This gave us a sanitary environment to run yet more wiring.
2. Using the steel cases that...
2. Using the steel cases that came with the batteries, we hand-fabbed a pair of mounts to keep the batteries in place while driving. Wherever you mount batteries, be sure to secure them well.
3. Next, we dropped the batteries...
3. Next, we dropped the batteries into their new mounting locations on each side.
4. The passenger-side mount...
4. The passenger-side mount was a bit more of a struggle to deal with since we were working in a more confined area because of the truck's A/C system.
5. Using hardware generously...
5. Using hardware generously supplied by Scosche Industries, we placed the battery terminal mounts onto the battery posts and tightened them. Scosche's newest terminals have places to make as many as six solid connections directly to the terminal.
6. One of the first connections...
6. One of the first connections made to the battery was the constant power wire that keeps power running to the truck's clock, vehicle alarm, and other always-on functions.
7. A&B To bring the main power...
7. A&B To bring the main power out of the main fuse block, we used 4-gauge Scosche EFX wire, a ring terminal, and a huge crimping tool.
8. After the crimp had been...
8. After the crimp had been made, the main power wire was connected to the fuse block in the same place it always had, but this time with huge-gauge wire.
9. Then we made the connection...
9. Then we made the connection between the truck's alternator and the main battery. This connection allowed us to check everything and be sure that we hadn't made any mistakes up to this point and all the connections were good. Be sure to disconnect the battery at the terminal before proceeding.
10. Next, we assembled the...
10. Next, we assembled the pair of Scosche end terminals and began installing the feature that would allow us to run dual batteries.
11. Take notice of the killer...
11. Take notice of the killer shielding and the protective wrap used on the Scosche 4-gauge cable assemblies.
12. Moving to the firewall,...
12. Moving to the firewall, we needed a sturdy place to mount the Scosche PMBC200 battery isolator. In actuality, this component is a high-performance alternative to a diode buss bar battery isolator due to its relay-type construction.
13. We mounted the PMBC200...
13. We mounted the PMBC200 Scosche 200-amp isolator using a pair of factory bolts protruding from the truck's firewall. One of the bolts was being used as a factory grounding point, and we simply slipped the isolator over the existing ground and tightened nuts on each side to secure the ground and the isolator.
14. The two end terminals...
14. The two end terminals we'd assembled using Scosche hardware were connected to the isolator using the company's 4-gauge wire.
15. The pair of 4-gauge wires...
15. The pair of 4-gauge wires was routed down the conduit of wiring we'd already tidied up. One wire was routed to the passenger-side battery's positive terminal and the other was left much longer since it would have to be routed to the driver-side battery.
16. The connection between...
16. The connection between the passenger positive terminal and the battery isolator was made by tightening down the set screw in the Scosche battery terminal we'd chosen to use for this purpose.
17. The grounds running to...
17. The grounds running to the secondary battery were connected to the negative side of the secondary battery.
18 A&B. By removing the upper...
18 A&B. By removing the upper radiator bolts and loosening up the lower mounts, we were able to move the radiator forward an inch or so, allowing us to cleanly route the longest battery lead to the driver-side battery's positive terminal.
19. All connections were checked...
19. All connections were checked and made hot by connecting everything at the truck's main fuse block once again.
20. A&B Finished with the...
20. A&B Finished with the installation, the right and left Odyssey PC 1200 batteries were installed to feed from one another. Even if you should find a way to kill one battery, there will be enough juice left in the secondary battery to get your truck started and get you back home.
21. Here is an installation...
21. Here is an installation schematic for visual reference.