help with wiring issue for our fire dept.

[ff25]

We have a m35a2 duece that we are using for a brush truck and ran into some issues with 12 volt accessories. The truck has a caterpillar engine which i think is a 3508. We know that adding a 12 volt circuit off one battery is not an option so we purchased a 30 amp continuous 40 amp peak converter from oreilly's and it worked fine for 6 months. We recently had a fire and the operator turned on all emergency lighting and take-down lights along with alley lights on our light bar and with using the radio it burned the converter up. We want to stay with the converter if there is a better one or do the battery equalizer option. We are going to disconnect the alley and take-down lights on the light bar so this wont happen again, but we would like to stay with the same size converter do to cost. We was wondering if the equalizer would be a better option. Thanks for any help!!!

 

[FireFighterHill]

You might not get much response as this question has been talked to in length in many other threads. So do a search. Some of the threads brought up by search for the term "battery equalizer" are:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/hmmwv/93858-12-volt-question.html http://www.steelsoldiers.com/hmmwv/90459-24v-12v-emergency-equipment.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/91526-battery-isolator-system.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/electrical/93376-24-12-volt.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-...s-cons-battery-equalizer-dual-alternator.html
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-...vdc-110-ac-converters-inverters-question.html

there is a wealth of information, just gotta search for it.

 

[Warthog]

Welcome to Steelsoldiers.

Which department are you with?

Have you downloaded the FREE technical manuals for the truck?

 

[ff25]

Im with Fairview fire dept. in Oklahoma. Is there any info on adding second alternator to the cat motor on the deuce? Will we have to change the 24 volt alt also or just add 12 volt on top? Please let me know, Thanks!!

 

[KsM715]

An A2 with a cat motor?