Can You Install an Auxiliary Battery in a Truck Bed and Use for Power

Updated 11/14/2022 | Published 11/12/2022

Question:

Can I put an auxillary battery in my truck bed with canopy to run lights and charge my phone, etc?

asked by: TEDDY G

Helpful Expert Reply:

The only issue you'll run into installing an auxiliary battery in the truck bed would be keeping it charged. In order to do this you'll need to pull said charge from the vehicle's start battery unless you want to remove the battery and plug it in somewhere with a wall outlet each time. There also needs to be some sort of smart device in-between so you can be sure it doesn't pull too much juice from the vehicle's main battery. For this, I recommend the Redarc Smart Start Battery Isolator with Wiring Kit part # 331-SBI12KIT which is a complete kit that comes with smart device, wiring etc., and everything else needed for the install. The smart device will be sure to only send power when needed and not so much that it can ever drain the main battery. If there is ever an issue with the main battery, you can also use the smart device to jump start this from the auxiliary battery.

expert reply by: Conner L