2012 Taco dual battery questions

sfsmedic

Adventurer
I am doing research into dual batteries for my 2012 DCSB TRDOR 4x4. As I research I keep coming up with the IBL kit however I am always on a budget so I am trying to determine the absolute necessity of a smart tender type setup like this. I grew up sailing with my dad and our ocean going sailboat had 2 batteries that were charged off the engine as well as plugging in once at the dock. All we had was a big red switch that listed Battery 1, Battery 2, Both and OFF. Is there a reason I couldn't go this route and just swap over to BOTH for charging purposes when driving and use Battery 1 or 2 only for when I am camping? The only thing at this point that I would be running would be charging accessories (handheld devices such as GPS, Cell Phones, etc.). I will be Installing a winch once I have my bumper, and possibly a powered cooler down the road. Does anyone see any reason why the way I am thinking is a bad route? How would one go about researching a good way to go about this process, (i.e. wiring diagram etc.) I did search but as I stated all I found were the higher end type setups.

Thanks in advance.
 

TEJASYOTA

Adventurer
The only negative or two, is that you, will have to remember to switch between the two, during daily driving, so the battery will not be low or dead.
The seconds is if you were running one battery till it drained, you would need to stop what you are doing and switch to the fresher battery.
With the electronic controlled systems, they do this automatically.. Both the charging and the switching.
 

ETAV8R

Founder of D.E.R.P.
Subd.
I have an 09 which has more room in the engine bay over by the passenger side near the firewall. In that spot are three bolts which I could see a 2nd battery tray being mounted to quite easily. I want to do a second battery set up as well for camping. I know someone must have placed a battery in that location.
 

Andy@AAV

Old Marine
Subd.
I have an 09 which has more room in the engine bay over by the passenger side near the firewall. In that spot are three bolts which I could see a 2nd battery tray being mounted to quite easily. I want to do a second battery set up as well for camping. I know someone must have placed a battery in that location.


Like this?

 

takesiteasy

Adventurer
Very nice job. Do you have anymore pics of the mounting plate?

I didn't do a good job of documenting everything- got immersed in the project and didn't take pictures along the way. Maybe I will pull the battery and take a couple of pics. Won't be for a day or two though.
 
Last edited:

chosen

Observer
Hey there Brett,
In theory there is no issues in managing your own dual battery setup with a main switch like you suggested. The real issue that I can see comes in charging them together. If you link two batteries together while charging, how can the charger accurately get a reading from each to do the correct charge cycle. Also, for that matter - if you have a really basic charge system, it will only charge one of the two jointed batteries effectively.
 

takesiteasy

Adventurer
Hey there Brett,
In theory there is no issues in managing your own dual battery setup with a main switch like you suggested. The real issue that I can see comes in charging them together. If you link two batteries together while charging, how can the charger accurately get a reading from each to do the correct charge cycle. Also, for that matter - if you have a really basic charge system, it will only charge one of the two jointed batteries effectively.

I have the IBS system and am happy with it. The monitor shows the charge condition of each battery (after an appropriate resting period)- this is one of the big advantages of the system. However, there is the issue of charging equity that you mention. I installed a switch to disconnect the auxilliary battery from the system so I can put a charger on it periodically and make sure it is properly charged and maintained separately. The starter battery is rarely discharged as far as the auxilliary so it usually gets charged fully from the alternator and I don't worry about it.
 

Wicked 2007

Observer
Do you need a dual battery? What are your power needs and for how long?

Get a sears platinum (odyssey rebrand) group 31m. 100a/hr battery and fits in stock location. 100 a/hr is usually more than enough for most folks - saves in weight and complexity until your power needs justify the second battery.
 

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