Ford F-250 Batteries and Ham Radios

[GreatWhite]

I have a 2015 powerstroke and the question is about batteries.

The truck has two batteries.. Are they wired in parallel? or Are they two totally separate batteries?

The reason for my question is.. I want to run a couple of ham radio transceivers in it and I don't want to chance dropping the starting voltage so I can't get home.

Is one or the other best for accessories.. or are the essentially one big battery?

Thanks, Bill

[twinboat]

They are in parallel. It gives you more Cranking Amps

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by GreatWhite

Cross posted..

I have an F-250 diesel 2015. Two batteries. Are they wired in parallel?

I'd like to connect a couple of radios and don't want to drain to the point where I can't start the truck.

Anyone know if both are used for starting and one as a backup or ????

Tnx, Bill
N7GHG
Meridian, ID

Both for starting, in parallel

[Old-Biscuit]

Diesels require good high capacity DC voltage for starting
Two 12VDC Batteries wired in Parallel are used.
Parallel provides same voltage but double the capacity (AH)

One big battery

[GreatWhite]

Sounds like I have my answer.. Thanks to all who responded.

[coupevilleDF]

That's quite a few amps, but obviously you need a few to start that engine. I ran my battery down once on a Honda Ridgeline by leaving the radio on overnight and beaconing on APRS. I set the automatic power off on the radio to two hours and have never had a problem since. Unless you are transmitting a lot on high power with the engine off, I don't think you will have a problem.

[Mark_K5LXP]

The $64K question is if you intend to use these radios with the engine off, or on.

Driving down the road, even the ~20+ amp load of a 100W HF rig is negligible. Parked with the engine off, a number of hours of light duty cycle transmitting or constant receive/monitoring is no big deal.

Leaving something on 24/7 is a different story. That can be some pretty deep cycling and that's asking a lot of a starting battery. That would be one scenario I would want some form of battery isolation or threshold cutoff so I'm not stuck.

coupevilleDF's use of the built in timer is a good one, I do the same with the rig in DW's car. I like being able to operate the radio without having to have the key on so the timer is a good compromise of functionality and not having to remember to turn everything off when you exit the vehicle.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

[TXiceman]

On the Ford diesel, the two 12 volt batteries are wired in parallel.

Are you planning to operate VHF/UHF or HF? VHF/UHF are clean, but the injectors are not well shielded and really tear up the HF bands. Start by bonding the hood, doors, bed and exhaust system. To get the HF interference down, I had to apply a number of torrid chokes on the wiring harness in several places on my 2012 truck. My old 2002 was not a problem.

https://www.w8ji.com/rf_noise_powerstroke_diesel.htm

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...2011-f250.html

https://www.n5na.net/s9y/index.php?/...rence-RFI.html

Above are some articles on cleaning up the noise. The N5NA is the most help.

[Tugboat]

IN the F250 both batteries are in parallel and both are used for cranking to start. I have had radios in my 2011 sense new and never had a problem.