Surfseeker wrote:Morning Guys.
However, as far as I can tell a DCDC charger will not have the ability to bypass/link the two batteries to start your car if the primary battery should go flat. I just see this as being a bit dumb. There are dozens of ways that you can flatten your primary battery (As well as it just dying of natural causes ). I have had it happen a few times over the years where (For example) you leave an interior light on. This sounds like a silly mistake to make but this has happened to me when my wife left the vanity mirror open during the day (You cant see the light so easily during daytime) then got out of the car and left it at the airport for a week. A bit dopey perhaps ...but forgivable.... right???
Anyhow, your stereo, interior lights etc. are powered from your primary battery, so flattening it is by no means impossible.
With a solenoid based dual battery set up you can usually bypass the system to link the two batteries together (temporarily) to start the vehicle. For me, this would be high on my list of priorities.
However, there is not much point in linking the two batteries together if the auxiliary battery is also flat due to the fact that a solenoid based system does not permit the alternator to properly charge it.
A bit of Google Fu would help you. No need for jumper leads if you do it like this, simply flick the switch and start your engine off the aux battery. You can also winch off both batteries if needed. The wiring diagram is lifted from Redarc site, I think, as it's been several years since I wired it up. It has performed without a problem on several trips to Cape York, NT and all over Vic high country