Dual Batteries?

Has anyone ever thought of running dual batteries before? I was thinking about it the other day, and was wondering if it would be worth it to try on my '82 xj750. Since we all know that the charging system on our bikes isn't the greatest, the extra capacity of running two batteries might be worth it especially if you are running a set of aux driving/fog lights. Just a thought input please........

 

Where would you put the battery?.

It would take a lot of lighting load to overwhelm the alternator. I use a 100W high beam, hot-grips, and an electric vest without any problems.

The only battery issue I've had with this bike has been overcharging...it can boil the battery dry when things aren't quite right in electron-land.

If you're that concerned, try installing a voltmeter to monitor what's going on.

 

Jees, there's barely enough room for the battery now, where would you put another battery?
Unless you have something wrong with your charging system or your existing battery, it should be able to keep up with all the stock accessories.
I run a cigarette lighter (which only draws current for a 15 seconds, so that's really not an issue) Also, I have heated grips, which I use just about every morning in the spring (like now) And I have driving lights, which I use in the early mornings for better visability. I also have been using my radio (an automotive radio in a Vetter radio housing mounted on the handlebars) which is on constantly when ever I ride.
Now the only thing I have noticed is once a month or so, I add a little water to my battery (runs warm if I use alot of my accesories all at once)
so, I conclude that the charging system is good for alot more than what the bike comes with.
It would be nice to have a better, more powerful alternator. Maybe someone has looked into this idea, I don't know. >PD<

 

hmmm....ok now I don't know what to think, because I posted about running two amotomotive style aux driving lights and everybody said that the charging system couldn't handle it. So now it seems that it can? also I sure I could find room for an small extra battery some where.....

thanks

 

Impulse,
The driving lights I run are only 35w each, and I don't run all my accessories all at the same time. If I have my heated grips on, I don't use the driving lights (not for very long anyway) The radio doesn't take much juice either, so that's not a problem. You just have to use your head when using any accessories and make sure everything is shut off when idling and when you shut the bike off. I have everything running thru a relay, so they all go off with the key. And all of the extras have LED lights on the dash to show me if they are on or not, so I always know.
These are the lights I am running on my bike. I have just changed the 55w bulbs to 35w bulbs.



I got them from JC Whitney for $15.

 

I see, do you have the link for those light from JCWhitney?

Thanks

 

Bottom line is: if you have more accessories than the alternator can power battery or batteries will go dead in pretty short order.

 

Never mind I found them......

 

I never did sit down and figure out what the charging system is rated at, but in the 10 years I've owned my Seca, I never had any problems with the system reguarding my accessories. My last battery lasted 4 years and I don't expect to get much more out of them when I buy the cheap ones anyways.
The important thing with these XJs is the fact that alot of the problems stem from all those annoying electrical connections, that don't always make good contact. I elliminated alot of them by cutting and splicing the wires together. I soldered and used heat shrink on all the connections to elliminate the problems I was having. The connections that I still have, I cleaned and used die electric grease on all of them to make good contact and prevent corosion and moisture getting to them. It worked for me. >PD<