Battery question (using two)

[txndncowboy]

A battery maintainer is by far your best bet. I have been shocked at the number of years batteries last now that I use maintainers.

 

[bcp]

Battery sizes and terminal configuration:

Battery-Web.com - BCI Group Numbers, Dimensional Specifications, Polarity and Terminals

Bruce

 

[def38]

The suggestion of the Odyssey battery is a good one however, AGM batteries prefer a slightly higher charging voltage than FLA or SLA batteries. My Odyssey is almost 10 years old and still has original output. It is maintained by a dedicated AGM charger. The slightly higher voltage spins the starter vigorously regardless of temperature.

Next, I would suggest a good smart battery charger to maintain your batteries. I have four of them and they are always connected to my various batteries. Extra CCA or two parallel is the expensive route. Good battery chargers will solve your issues while extending battery life considerably.

Diesel engines like to be spun fast when starting cold. One fully charged battery of the correct size is all that is needed.

As for hard to start engines, go to the lowest viscosity engine oil possible for the temperature/service. Reduce the rheological load (Cold engine and transmission oils or the molasses in January affect) to the extent possible by disengaging the gearbox or depressing the clutch.

Synthetic oils will improve cold engine cranking (lower pour point) while improving lubrication.

 

[def38]

A battery maintainer is by far your best bet. I have been shocked at the number of years batteries last now that I use maintainers.

Agreed.

My 18 year old Windstar required only one battery replacement in its lifetime. I used a smart charger on it routinely. Never failed to start the engine.

 

[WranglerX]

Correct battery's in parallel stay the same voltage, in series it adds up.
If you decide to run two batteries in parallel I would recommend a solenoid / relay between them, otherwise one can drain the other and with two low batteries it can be difficult to get them boosted enough for a start.
The old 1066's were not the best starting tractor in the cold, synthetic oil will help.
Also you may want to look into a new gear reduction starter, it will spin her over faster which will make for better starts.

Just be sure solenoid is energized (to connect batteries ) all the time key is "ON"....

But if you re going to use solenoid as battery disconnect how are you going to use battery maintainer (charger) to charge (maintain) "second" battery....

One concept or other but not both...

Dale

 

[Texasmark]

I don't understand parallel batteries discharging each other......like to zero if that's what's implied. If they are functioning batteries that will hold a charge on their own, and they will achieve a happy medium when the energy stored in each is equal then I have no comment. If not, where's the mechanism for the discharge?

 

[WranglerX]

I don't understand parallel batteries discharging each other......like to zero if that's what's implied. If they are functioning batteries that will hold a charge on their own, and they will achieve a happy medium when the energy stored in each is equal then I have no comment. If not, where's the mechanism for the discharge?

IF batteries are replaced in pairs there should not be any problem one new and one old battery, not a good recipe for success....

Like Texasmark stated batteries in parallel should not cause parasitic drain on each other... Batteries and battery strings in parallel is a accepted practice in many industries, why should it be wrong for tractors...

Dale

 

[LouNY]

Paired batteries in occasionally used equipment is a problem when one battery starts going down the other will equalize to it, so with one good and one poor you end up with 2 poor. If used frequently so both are kept well charged it's not an issue, let them sit for a week in the winter and it may well not start.

 

[gimmodog]

if you think you need the extra CCA then go for it. Install a smart charger with them to make them both last a long time then you wouldn't have to worry about one drawing the others voltage down

 

[ns_in_tex]

Just a thought.
My experience on one tractor we owned, that had no preheat.
Always was slow to start in cold, and sometimes when not so cold, since new.
Bought new battery, not much help.
Bought bigger battery, not much help.
Pulled starter, had a stuck brush.
Boy, can't believe we didn't look at starter sooner.
Sure would have saved a lot of grief.