One Battery

[mtrobertson]

The bus I just bought only has on battery and is not wired like it ever had more than one. What is the downside of only having the one battery?

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

If it starts easy then no problem but on a cold day if you have to crank it more plus glow plugs on then you could run short. This is assuming it is a diesel. Gas engine would normally only have one.

 

[s2mikon]

One battery doesn't describe the battery. Is it a group 24 or a 8d battery. Then there is engine size. Please give us more information so that we can opine for days about what you need.

 

[AlphaHare]

Please give us more information so that we can opine for days about what you need.

LOL

 

[mtrobertson]

Not sure this will work, first time I am trying to add an image to a post.

 

[kromboy]

Your Dataplate doesn't shed any info on what your engine is, although I did look up the VIN on Thomas and it looks like it should have an ISC?

Just look at the engine compartment, mine literally has a huge ISC stamp on the front of the engine.

That said, my bus has 3 batteries in parallel for the ISC, 950CCA each. Not sure if I need all 3 but it's what came stock. Does your battery compartment only have enough space for 1? if it works it works but I would be weary of the bus starting when it's cold. If there's room to add more, I would.

 

[mtrobertson]

I do think there is room for at least one more, but it isn't wired for it. How difficult is it to add the correct wiring?

 

[kromboy]

It's really just loosening and tightening a nut on top of your terminals, connecting red to red and black to black.

You can make your own cables to length if you want but they do sell premade ones like these

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Copper-Inverter-Automotive-Motorcycle/dp/B0BVB2PKR9?crid=7HZ8RAO2MMPW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2Yx2fYyxtsmsHaANBkJnxgf9M0muiSy7ra49tpvAQFXeU4GNp61tmdn_mKjHNjS1S7125kqUn9Ub5IEiDxHkaujrGbawbOjc_9laRP7v5lgbnJlKZwwPWIy0QMfVvvpqZFrYyItrSEg1m0x0IQw8_rCzTeG3zVU2I0z1a9ckCA_d8wRu_LcgkizDnB-tUdCPnZNdq9fRkINUd8QP1Ef0PE1wKdzNM5dwxG0B4U2cJELunAOwBRizqhxepknn7TGuMDE9DXJ6USARAEscQUz6iv3VDZ8MBAWt4dduVMYMVjY.G_dp2AR1-6OlSBqeQjbRSp6bfryc9IZFJ2dWeTtLagQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery%2Bwire&qid=1733521489&sprefix=battery%2Bwire%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-23&th=1

 

[mtrobertson]

Awesome, thanks for the help!!

 

[desrtdog]

Awesome, thanks for the help!!

If you do add another battery,you should have the main cables for the + and - from opposite batteries to ensure that you get and even current distribution from the two combined… so batteries connected in parallel, then “+” cable from battery #1 and “-” cable from battery #2…

 

[kromboy]

Oh yeah, as desrtdog mentioned, you don't want to connect both cables to the same battery that'll lead to uneven wear between the batteries.

So connect the positive from one battery, and negative from the other, like in the image. Ignore the text

 

[s2mikon]

You can start an 8.3 with a single group 31 battery, but I think it would not be enough in cold weather. 2 batteries would be much better.

 

[LargeMarge-TC]

...You can make...cables...
...[hollow-moon lizards]...

.
Semi-retired welder-fabricator here.
.
a)
Securing cable ends requires a swaging tool
These look similar to big bolt-cutters.
Some first-time builders attempt the unlikely using a hammer and chisel... tink tink.
Sure.
Then, after unfortunate 'issues', they visit a legit cable-maker.
.
b)
Instead of some mail-order nonsense dealing with hollow-moon lizards, ask at a battery shop or solar store.
Our preference is local-owned family-operated.
.
c)
Our rig is a 1996.
The Cummins 8.3 requires two Group 31.
After issues with pecker-heads investigating the exterior battery box, I fabricated a secure tray above the axle and between the frame rails.
.
We have room, so I added a third Group 31.
Simultaneously, I 'up'-graded all the cables to 4/0 (pronounced 'four ought') welding cable.
I also added a second 'ground' cable from the bank to the frame.
.
.
[edited to add]
Our introduction with plenty of portraits, plus our reasons for our decisions:
https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/expeditionvehicle-build.44908/#post-576110

 

[Rucker]

The bus I just bought only has on battery and is not wired like it ever had more than one. What is the downside of only having the one battery?

Agreed with everything everyone else here already said.

I have dual batteries set up in parallel, and a third big battery behind a battery isolator.

It's been a while since I've accidentally drained both primary batteries, but if I do I press the button on the battery isolator and it adds the third battery.

Never stuck.

Most systems with two batteries have a regulator that only allows the second battery to charge if the first is fully charged, or close. That limits the overall draw on the alternator for two big batteries, if you've inadvertently drained them both.

 

[Albatross]

Agreed with everything everyone else here already said.

I have dual batteries set up in parallel, and a third big battery behind a battery isolator.

It's been a while since I've accidentally drained both primary batteries, but if I do I press the button on the battery isolator and it adds the third battery.

Never stuck.

Most systems with two batteries have a regulator that only allows the second battery to charge if the first is fully charged, or close. That limits the overall draw on the alternator for two big batteries, if you've inadvertently drained them both.

This is the way my system works, except that it will charge from both directions, so I can charge the house batteries from the alternator, or I can charge the truck batteries from the solar panels.



And the push-button jump-starter is really nice, too.

 

[Diesel bus fun]

Show a pict batty compartment door & in side or u could call dealer giv vin# & they will hav spec on bus … on cable go to dealer & they hav cables to tie battery’s together

 

[Diesel bus fun]

Just looked on Amazon site & u can get pre-made cables type in SEMI BATTERY CABLES …. Have pre made cables for up two 4 battery’s 50 to 60 $$

 

[mtrobertson]

Thank you!! That makes it much easier!!