[Rover] Dual battery setup question

[Rick R]

This past year I completed my rover battery installation in the van--I use a 
deep cycle Sears Marine battery (bought when they have a 10% off sale) that 
runs the basic transceivers (I use an FT736R for ABCD and an FT100D as IF 
for microwaves.) It generally runs the whole weekend. I also have separate 
deep cycle (55 ah gel-cels) batteries for the microwave rigs--each runs 
about 10-40 watts out, I keep them powered up all the time for freq. 
stability. They last about 16 hrs and needs recharge. I use a pair of 
regular car batteries in parallel (make sure they are exact same 
make/model/capacity) for the ABCD amps at about 160W each. Remember that the 
heavy current draw is only at transmit peaks. I also made a charging 
arrangement for driving--I got a 12V 50 amp 4 pole solenoid relay at a 
swapfest, and put the poles in parallel. I used #8 wire to run to the main 
van battery, fused at 40 amps and a switch arrangement to turn the charging 
circuit on when in motion, and a high current switch distribution to charge 
each of the batteries in sequence. I am also working on adding a voltmeter 
to monitor battery condition into the charge distribution circuit. Remember 
that there are poisonous fumes that need to be vented when charging.  GL es 
73, Rick, K1DS


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