How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip??
 

I've got the 99 Suburban and an extra battery. The Sub came with an aux (LH) battery tray and I see attached to the under hood fuse block there are two battery terminals labeled "Aux A" and "Aux B". How do I wire up the aux battery without ruining the wiring?

My hope is that by doing so I have one battery dedicated to starting the Sub while the other can run equipment when the engine is off and drain with no consequence for starting. I've installed OEM aux battery setups in my 1972 Blazer and K20 - just not at all familiar with newer model trucks and couldn't find a related thread. Thanks, Pete

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

I did this many years ago with my '89 K1500. It's been so long that I doubt the factory parts are still available. There was a wiring harness and relay that mounted next to the windshield washer jar on the driver's side fender. I had to open up a hole on the firewall to connect part of the harness to the fusebox. It was all done with factory parts in the factory routing locations. It was kind of tricky since the diagram is not in the same orientation as the fusebox. It works great and the battery stays charged. I'd provide pictures except for the fact that my truck is getting some paint these past couple of weeks.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Thanks Rich - I may drop by a local Chevy dealer and see what if any schematics the parts guys can produce. I'll let them know what I'm after and see what I can scare up. With the trailer package, it looks ready to go for the aux battery from GM - it may be as easy as just getting pos/neg wires and bolting the pos to the correct terminal on the fuse block under the hood. Of course life's rarely that simple....

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

It's actually for the camper package. The diesel trucks also had an aux. batt. for other reasons, I think. There's an extra 10 ga. lead that goes from the aux. batt. to the terminal under the plastic cover on the pass. side firewall.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Aux A & Aux B are NOT for connecting the battery. Those posts are there for things that you might ADD. There is a factory option or two that use them, I can't remember what right now. Camper/Trailer wiring is the most commonly added feature.

Give me a few minutes and I think I can have your wiring diagram. Help me out here, 350/454, 1500/2500?

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Thanks guys! Vortec 350 1500 4wd...

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Here's some info that might help you out.

99 Sub K1500 5.7l
Attachment 1164613
Attachment 1164614
Attachment 1164615
Attachment 1164616

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

General 88-98 info

Attachment 1164617
Attachment 1164618


Attachment 1164619


Attachment 1164620

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Huge help - thank you!!

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

No problem. ....That's the best could do. I have never been under the hood on a 96-99 suburban. If you need any more info, just let me know what you need and i will try and look it up.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Will do! That gives me a lot to go on. If a member has this setup already in use some pics would be great. Thanks again, Pete

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

You may find this wiring diagram helpful. This is what I used when I wired my aux battery in my truck. The tricky thing about this diagram is that the convenience center is in a different orientation on the truck than it is in the diagram. It caused me to pause a bit when I was wiring up the battery. I had the advantage of using the factory harness which might not be available any more.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Appreciate the pic - I was hoping that the local GM parts folks might have a part # for an aux battery harness to make this a plug and play project but they did not. Adding the OEM aux battery equipment was relatively straightforward in my 1972 4wds - things got complicated over the years at GM!

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Mr_Rich, What's the name of that book. I need to get that one.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

I added a second battery to my 99 K3500. But I just wired mine in parallel. There's a heavy gauge wire that comes from the passenger side battery, traveling on top of the radiator shroud to the driver's side, turns by the washer fluid reservoir neck, and goes to the under hood fuse box. For lack of the proper term, I'll call it the feed wire.

I installed my driver side battery, and cut the feed wire where it could connect to the positive terminal on the driver side battery, and put a terminal on it to fit under a side terminal connector. Then I replaced the amount of wire I'd cut out with the largest diameter wire I could fit in the original location, I think I used 4 gauge.

I grounded the driver's side battery on one of the bolts that holds the A/C compressor on. I verified that it was a good connection by starting the truck a few times with just that ground wire connected.

So the passenger battery uses OEM wiring, and the driver's side battery has a heavy gauge wire going post-to-post, and the OEM wire feeding power to the under hood fuse box.

I did this in January of 2004, and never had a problem with it.

Granted, this is parallel wiring. If you wanted to isolate them, it gets more complicated.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

1989 c-k pick-up truck electrical diagnosis and wiring diagrams
st-375-89 edd

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Good deal - this may be a good stopgap approach until I can get the systems isolated....I don't know why GM kept ALL the 12v power supplies hot with the car ignition off...

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

I have factory installed auxiliary batteries on my 99 Cop Tahoes and can take some pics and post them on here if you think they will help. It'll be a day or two until I can get to the garage where they are stored to take the pictures.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Greg - I greatly appreciate that! No rush. Thanks, Pete

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

10-4, anything particular you need to see?

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Sorry for the delay, computer wasn't cooperating. Here is what I can provide. Also threw in the DUAL battery wiring, so you can see how it differs. Quite a bit really, they're just in parallel on dual battery vehicles.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Pos lead from aux battery to wherever it goes (J-block) and that lead followed back if poss. Thx!


Thx!! Will review...

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Your Parts guy needs to go back to school...took me, under a minute to find this in the Electronic Parts Catalog...way more time to type it up. ;)

#1 - 15354169 - Cable, Aux Bat Pos
#2 - 12338130 - Nut, Hex 5/16-18X.25 286M POR
#3 - 19115561 - Bolt, Hex Hd, 3/8-16X13/32, 1/4 THD, 1 5/32 TOTAL LG, 51/64 OD
#4 - 00136857 - Washer, External Tooth LK 7/16
#5 - 12190685 - Cable, Aux Bat Neg
#6 - Same as #4
#7 - Same as #3
#8 - 12135196 - Relay, Aux Bat
#9 - 12160765 - Cover, Bat Pos Cbl J/Blk

#10 - See below...

#11 - 15551605 - Bolt, Hwh Tap, M6.3x1.27x20, 18.5OD, TR PT1018, AL
#12 - 11516079 - Nut, Prevailing Torque Type W/WA Insert (M6x1 THD8.8 THK)
#13 - 88862249 - Connector, Pwr Dist Blk (ACDelco #PT2330)


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1382230493

#10 is a pistol, it's the cable that connects the relay to the battery. It is very RPO dependant, depending on what options you have this cable varies in length and gauge.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Devin - much appreciated! I'll work on tracking down the components and get #10 squared away. I may hit some local salvage yards on the off chance that a Sub is sitting with all the pieces intact. My Sub came with a 100 amp alternator - imagine I'll need to bump that up to 140 once I get both batteries installed.

I don't think so. Having two batteries doesn't mean you'll consume anymore electrical energy. But if both batteries are drained significantly, any alternator will struggle to maintain proper voltage.

Personally I consider the extra battery to act a "buffer" for heavy electrical loads. It allows to alternator to work moderately for a longer duration to recharge the batteries, rather than working to it's limits for a short duration.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Just for fun - here's the schematic for RPO TP2 aux battery correct for 1972

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

A 100amp alternator tells me it doesn't have the "luxury" package that is mentioned on the wiring diagrams. From what I can tell it coincides with factory heated seats and all the interior power goodies, sometimes fog lights as well. For sure the 140AMP alt is on 99/00 Denali/Escalades, Z71 Tahoes with heated seats and '00 Limited Tahoes. I've also seen it on Tahoe/Yukon/Suburbans with full power heated seats from 97-00.

Also, if you look into an alternator there is a slick way of mounting one of the NEW (LS motor) alts that are really efficient. Look here.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Nice! Bookmarked the site. I'll look for the alternator when I hit the salvage yards...

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

I havent forgot about you. I will have those pics on the weekend.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Thanks Greg - no rush. It'll be a winter project for me.

Seems like nearly all the vortec motors have been removed from so-equipped GMs trucks in the salvage yards I've visited in the area. Pete

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

DeadheadNM, I was at a local yard today and I happened across an Aux Battery solenoid and cables. The only wire I could not GET is the one that is integrated into the harness that is the trigger wire for the solenoid, runs to the interior fuse block. Upon looking at it, I see where it would be easy-peasy to get away with NOT needing a new battery cable from the passenger (primary) battery. I will get pics of it for you soon...

If you want it, it's yours, honestly pulled it knowing you hadn't found one yet.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Absolutely I'll take it! Let me know what I can do to make it easy for you...definitely glad to reimburse you for the effort. Thanks! Pics would be a big plus. Appreciate the help, Pete

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

There's a dimple in the firewall where a hole can be drilled to pass the harness through to connect to the terminal. Next pic is the solenoid which is mounted next to the washer jar. If you have the battery tray you already have half the installation completed.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

I had that system on my truck when I bought it from the previous owner ( had only 11,000 mikes)... I removed it, my truck is the SLE 'Camper Special'..

I may have the pages in my OEM service manual. The harness goes all the way to the left-rear fender well...To plug into the camper... that part is still there.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Helpful pics, thanks!! Looks like the pos goes from the battery to the solenoid. The harness ties in at the solenoid.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Sorry about the wait, had a lot of academic things going on lately, will be glad to be done soon.

Here is what I pulled. Now that I've had a chance to look at it, you do not need the battery cable portion that is different based on vehicle configurations. All they have done is crimped the fusible link lead from the solenoid with the battery cable lead on the same ring terminal that powers the underhood fuse/relay center. The truck I got this from was pretty unique as far as battery cables, so those pictures won't do the "normal" justice. This truck had the auxiliary power center in the dash so there was an additional ground cable, two additional underhood maxi fuse holders and wiring. If you want I can split that ring terminal open and remove that mess of oddball battery cable from what you need.

EDIT: In the first pic, the wire with the blue tag is what connects to the 2nd battery's + terminal. From the factory they shrinktube over the terminal.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Devin you rock! Don't worry about separating anything, I'd be glad to parse through it here. Let me know what you need for the wiring and your time in a PM when possible. Thanks again! Pete

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

I know its been awhile but here are the pics of dual battery hookups on my 99 Cop Tahoe. Hope this helps and if you need anything further let me know.

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

I have one more picture

Re: How do I correctly wire an auxiliary battery 99 Suburban using existing GM equip?
 

Perfect Greg - a huge help! Looks like y'all have some snow up there. Stay warm. It's a balmy -3C here in Montana :)