BOX1

P1000 Dual Battery for plowing

J

Joe1

New Member
Sep 14, 2018
3
7
3
Brookville, Pa
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
Do I truly need a dual battery set up, just to plow with a winch. I'm told If I don't it will cause my clutches to fail. Thoughts??
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF and sharp
Neohio

Neohio

Beast of the East
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Dec 22, 2016
13,243
63,644
113
Painesville Ohio
Ownership

  1. 1000-5
Your transmissions is very voltage sensitive. Running your battery down while winching will affect shifting.
Now, plowing snow you wouldn't think is a huge draw on your battery, but the constant use up and down will draw just as much as pulling your machine out of a hole.

Not only will your trans suffer, your machine will shut down your EPS as well.

Adding a second battery is an expense, not going to sugar coat it. Get a decent battery. I originally went with the mighty max last year. Right now it won't hold a charge over 11volts. I plan to order a higher end battery this weekend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF and sharp
J

Joe1

New Member
Sep 14, 2018
3
7
3
Brookville, Pa
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
NEOhio, thanks for the quick reply. Stinks cause now I'll be plowing without a windshield due to the fact I have to spend 270 on a dual battery kit!! Oh well I have plenty of coats!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF and Eltobgi
Cuoutdoors

Cuoutdoors

Executive Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 12, 2016
4,229
15,539
113
Central Iowa
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
Get a decent battery. I originally went with the mighty max last year. Right now it won't hold a charge over 11volts. I plan to order a higher end battery this weekend.

Well s*** this would've been good to know 2 weeks ago when I decided to try a mighty max

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Neohio

Neohio

Beast of the East
Lifetime Member
Supporting Member
Club Contributor
Dec 22, 2016
13,243
63,644
113
Painesville Ohio
Ownership

  1. 1000-5
Well s*** this would've been good to know 2 weeks ago when I decided to try a mighty max

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
It dropped a cell I believe. It won't go over 11volts with the engine running. I have an odyssey on the way right now. Others have had success with their Mighty Maxx batteries, mine might just be a fluke.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF
D

Dasmoeturhead

Guest
On the other side of the coin, I've been using my plow/winch for 3 winters with the stock single battery set-up, and I have had no problems. I also use the plow to grade our very steep gravel driveway to redistribute the gravel after big rains. Due to Hurricane Flo I'll be at it again very soon, and the Old workhorse P3 I'm sure will not let me down. Typically I'm usually done either plowing or grading in under 1.5 hrs. My driveway is only 1/8 of a mile. I guess I've been lucky. A 2 battery setup would be ideal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF
Cuoutdoors

Cuoutdoors

Executive Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 12, 2016
4,229
15,539
113
Central Iowa
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
NEOhio, thanks for the quick reply. Stinks cause now I'll be plowing without a windshield due to the fact I have to spend 270 on a dual battery kit!! Oh well I have plenty of coats!
I dont know what you're buying but you can get a mighty max battery and 2 cables for like $60-70. You dont HAVE to have an isolator and all the other crap.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: trigger and BWAF
RedFred1

RedFred1

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2018
301
619
93
North Carolina
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
I dont know what you're buying but you can get a mighty max battery and 2 cables for like $60-70. You dont HAVE to have an isolator and all the other crap.


"We would strongly discourage anyone from connecting batteries in series or parallel applications, if the batteries are not identical in age, size and type. It sounds like your batteries are different in each of those ways. Different brands of batteries can have different charging and discharging characteristics, with some accepting a charge or delivering current faster than others. That can be true even if the batteries are the same size. Different types of batteries (flooded or AGM) also can have different charge/discharge characteristics. When you connect two or more batteries that don't charge and discharge at the same rate, one battery will probably end up overcharged and/or one battery will end up undercharged. Neither is a scenario you want to have happen to your batteries, as it will probably shorten the lifespan of both and could create a potentially create a dangerous situation, if one battery gets severely overcharged.

The same is also true of batteries that are identical in every way, except that one battery is older than the other. As batteries age (or get used), their charge/discharge profile changes. As such, they essentially charge and discharge at a different rate a year later, than they did when they were brand-new. That means you shouldn't connect batteries together that aren't the same age or haven't been used in the same application since they were new, even if they are the exact same make and model.

Unfortunately, that means when one battery in a bank of two or more batteries needs to be replaced, they should all be replaced at the same time. That doesn't mean the other functioning batteries should be discarded entirely, but they should not be used in an application that has batteries that differ in age, size or type. For some marine and RV applications that use a lot of batteries, it may make sense to isolate a larger bank of nine batteries into three smaller banks of three batteries, instead of connecting them all together. That way, if one battery goes bad, far fewer batteries need to be replaced."
source: Can I Connect Dissimilar Batteries in Parallel?


Ya pay your money and take your chances... most would say use an isolator or switch.

HTH!

FredD
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF and ohanacreek
Cuoutdoors

Cuoutdoors

Executive Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 12, 2016
4,229
15,539
113
Central Iowa
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
"We would strongly discourage anyone from connecting batteries in series or parallel applications, if the batteries are not identical in age, size and type. It sounds like your batteries are different in each of those ways. Different brands of batteries can have different charging and discharging characteristics, with some accepting a charge or delivering current faster than others. That can be true even if the batteries are the same size. Different types of batteries (flooded or AGM) also can have different charge/discharge characteristics. When you connect two or more batteries that don't charge and discharge at the same rate, one battery will probably end up overcharged and/or one battery will end up undercharged. Neither is a scenario you want to have happen to your batteries, as it will probably shorten the lifespan of both and could create a potentially create a dangerous situation, if one battery gets severely overcharged.

The same is also true of batteries that are identical in every way, except that one battery is older than the other. As batteries age (or get used), their charge/discharge profile changes. As such, they essentially charge and discharge at a different rate a year later, than they did when they were brand-new. That means you shouldn't connect batteries together that aren't the same age or haven't been used in the same application since they were new, even if they are the exact same make and model.

Unfortunately, that means when one battery in a bank of two or more batteries needs to be replaced, they should all be replaced at the same time. That doesn't mean the other functioning batteries should be discarded entirely, but they should not be used in an application that has batteries that differ in age, size or type. For some marine and RV applications that use a lot of batteries, it may make sense to isolate a larger bank of nine batteries into three smaller banks of three batteries, instead of connecting them all together. That way, if one battery goes bad, far fewer batteries need to be replaced."
source: Can I Connect Dissimilar Batteries in Parallel?


Ya pay your money and take your chances... most would say use an isolator or switch.

HTH!

FredD


There are rules for everything and I would certainly expect a battery manufacturer (optima in this case) to take a very strict approach to this issue. They just want to sell more batteries. Even if all batteries were brand new and exactly the same they will age differently. They will begin to charge/discharge differently and one will fail. Ask anyone with an electric golf cart if their batteries all died at the same time.... nope! That is because they will age differently. Once the aging begins you've got 6 batteries in 6 different stages of life. Not really any different than my 2 little atv batteries. If we are taking the manufacturers hard line approach we should test our batteries regularly and replace as soon as there are slight differences. Or we can put isolators and voltage controls on every single one. It's just not realistic or necessary. Even using the typical Stinger isolator/solenoid it does not prevent the over charge/under charge issues mentioned above. The only thing it will do is prevent your factory battery from dropping below 12 volts.

I don't believe there is anyone on this forum with 2 identical batteries on their machine. They range from cheap mighty max batteries up to Odyssey batteries and even Optima batteries under the seat. Some guys have installed a low voltage isolator but outside of that they are all getting the same charge, without issue. I had a factory battery and an Odyssey battery together in series for 2 years without issue. Having 2 batteries helps the machine start faster, ensures better clutch function, and provides more power for winching and other accessories. I've ran 2 batteries for over 2 years with no issues whatsoever. I guess I'll keep taking my chances.
 
  • Like
Reactions: trigger and BWAF
BWAF

BWAF

I get paid to pass gas
Lifetime Member
Jan 24, 2018
8,853
42,410
113
Carthage MO
Ownership

  1. 1000-5
I have two factory batteries .I figured like all our dual battery diesels I would keep cca as close as I could so they would play well together, but that does seem pretty strict
There are rules for everything and I would certainly expect a battery manufacturer (optima in this case) to take a very strict approach to this issue. They just want to sell more batteries. Even if all batteries were brand new and exactly the same they will age differently. They will begin to charge/discharge differently and one will fail. Ask anyone with an electric golf cart if their batteries all died at the same time.... nope! That is because they will age differently. Once the aging begins you've got 6 batteries in 6 different stages of life. Not really any different than my 2 little atv batteries. If we are taking the manufacturers hard line approach we should test our batteries regularly and replace as soon as there are slight differences. Or we can put isolators and voltage controls on every single one. It's just not realistic or necessary. Even using the typical Stinger isolator/solenoid it does not prevent the over charge/under charge issues mentioned above. The only thing it will do is prevent your factory battery from dropping below 12 volts.

I don't believe there is anyone on this forum with 2 identical batteries on their machine. They range from cheap mighty max batteries up to Odyssey batteries and even Optima batteries under the seat. Some guys have installed a low voltage isolator but outside of that they are all getting the same charge, without issue. I had a factory battery and an Odyssey battery together in series for 2 years without issue. Having 2 batteries helps the machine start faster, ensures better clutch function, and provides more power for winching and other accessories. I've ran 2 batteries for over 2 years with no issues whatsoever. I guess I'll keep taking my chances.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk
 
RedFred1

RedFred1

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2018
301
619
93
North Carolina
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
I am an electrical engineer by trade and tend to overkill on most things. I just pasted the manufacturers info so people can see what they say, we are all adults here and can make up our own minds on what makes sense for us. In my case I chose a deep discharge battery for my winch and add on electrical needs and the original battery for all original circuits. Very different batteries. A suitable dual bank charger is also installed. The charger has auto selection for battery type and charge/condition regimen based on battery type.

As I said... you pay your money and take your chances. No worries.

FredD
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF
RedFred1

RedFred1

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2018
301
619
93
North Carolina
Ownership

  1. 1000-3
I have plowed with mine for 2 winters w/o dual batteries, no problem here
Awesome! I have not taken that plunge because I have a blade for my tractor... is it worth the investment? Do you keep your buggy battery on a charger/manager?

Thanks,

FredD
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF
ofrcboy

ofrcboy

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
Nov 27, 2015
501
572
93
Oregon
Ownership

  1. 1000-5
Awesome! I have not taken that plunge because I have a blade for my tractor... is it worth the investment? Do you keep your buggy battery on a charger/manager?

Thanks,

FredD
Not sure of your question but I have a Kubota tractor also but plowing with the Pioneer is much faster and EZer. I plow 6 driveways in the neighborhood and yes in the winter I use a charger/maintainer
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWAF and RedFred1
BOX2
box3

About us

  • Our community has been around for many years and pride ourselves on offering unbiased, critical discussion among people of all different backgrounds. We are working every day to make sure our community is one of the best.

User Menu

Buy us a beer!

  • Lots of time and money has gone into making sure the community is running the best software, best designs, and all the other bells and whistles. Care to buy us a beer? We'd really appreciate it!

    Beer Fund!

    Club Membership!