10/06/10, 01:49 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Washington's Olympic Penninsula
Posts: 253
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You have a few options, all have pros and cons, but the short answer is yes. Here's some search terms for you and a brief overview of the options I can think of.
Isolator: A diode based system that will allow current to flow from the alternator to both batteries but will keep them electrically isolated. You would need a "one in two out" isolator. The downside is the diode robs a volt and a half or so of the output, so traditionally they eventually harmed the batteries. Nowadays we have smart regulators that can overcome this, but you have to have everything wired correctly for that to happen.
Voltage controlled relay: A solenoid that senses charging current and parallels the batteries when such is available. Works well, you should have both batteries be identical in both size and age.
Echo charger: My favorite, essentially a small, smart charger that will give your secondary battery charging current of the appropriate level, with bulk, float, and absorption charging stages. The only downside is they are limited in output so if you are hammering the hydraulic system's battery this type may not be able to recharge it in a timely manner. If you are only using the battery intermittently and it doesn't get too discharged between uses this is probably your best choice. Depending on the model output is usually limited to 30 amps or so. I like the Balmar, Digital Duo Charge.
Hope that helps, good luck.
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