2012 Taco dual battery questions

[sfsmedic]

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.

I believe its a safe bet. I use my Tacoma mostly to hunt and camp from. My hunting partner and I will head out into the zone we hunt usually for 5 days or so. Last year the truck didn't move once we got there and we hiked all over scouting daily. All of our gear was of the more traditional style camping meaning gas operated or off a wood fire, and rely on ice for cool and dehydrated food or MREs once the ice was gone a couple days in.

This year the area we will be hunting is vast desert so we will put more time driving then scouting away from the truck daily so it'll get battery charge time unlike last year. Doesn't mean we won't have areas where we hunt like last year in the future. Our camping style is very similar to both scenarios above.

Two big things that lead me to think of this are, last year we didn't see another human for the entire 5 days we were out there so a random dead battery due to some random short and draw would have sucked and the other is it sure would be nice to start upgrading to truck camping gear such as a fridge/freezer. Especially to toss game meat in if we were out longer and there would be a lot less risk of loss due to heat. It was exceptionally hot last year during dear season. When I camp same type of though except my wife and 2 and 4 year old boys would be there so easier for food etc with a fridge.

So being completely new to this style of rig and this ability of the trucks what are your thoughts? Do I need a second battery system or am I over thinking it?


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[chosen]

Well I have a Hilux (the AU model of your Tacoma), only a bit of an older model... I use mine for expodition purposes, camping and hunting. When my wife and I go away we are self sufficient for extended periods of time. We make use of an Engel fridge as it is rugged, reliable and reasonably low amp drawer. We have a second battery under the tray in the back, with a booster from the front battery to ensure a complete charge to the rear. I have some solar panels to put on the top - when these are up and running the plan is to never use the booster and just charge from the solar. This way we will never need to start the vehicle. This is the way we are going, might give you some ideas.

 

[Wicked 2007]

It really comes down to your power needs. Minus the random dead battery or draw on it to make it dead (which don't get me wrong is a justifiable reason why to go dual) - figure your devices you need to run and the consumption they take and the amount of time you will be "parked"

I got by with my 100a/hr battery for a few years running an ARB 50 and other things. I did get a second 31m in a national luna power pack more for peace of mind. But and extra 75+lb and the cost ($700+ for the NLPP and battery) is a big commitment.

 

[sfsmedic]

Thanks chosen. I really am trying to stay very cost effective and while the gizmos are great they are expensive and I know we were going dual batteries long before automated systems so was feeling out the cost effective ways to go about things without having to spend 300 on a tender that I can manually do myself, much like it sounds quite a few are actually doing here.


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[Wicked 2007]

Thanks chosen. I really am trying to stay very cost effective and while the gizmos are great they are expensive and I know we were going dual batteries long before automated systems so was feeling out the cost effective ways to go about things without having to spend 300 on a tender that I can manually do myself, much like it sounds quite a few are actually doing here.


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Keep us posted on the route you go!

 

[sfsmedic]

Keep us posted on the route you go!

I will if I ever figure it out lol.

Wicked you asked if i really needed a second battery so I gave as good if an explanation as I could why unthought I did then asked you your thoughts base on my explanation. Do you think my reason justifies the need of a second battery?


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[takesiteasy]

The reasons we have a second battery are to run the fridge when it is warm and to run the furnace when it is cold in the camper. Without those we wouldn't need a second battery. Now that we have it, it is a nice backup to the starting battery on those cold mornings when we might need a jump.

 

[sfsmedic]

Oh and I do have a winch now too so figured that was another good reason. Sounds like I'm not over thinking it then and my plotting is justified.

 

[Wicked 2007]

I will if I ever figure it out lol.

Wicked you asked if i really needed a second battery so I gave as good if an explanation as I could why unthought I did then asked you your thoughts base on my explanation. Do you think my reason justifies the need of a second battery?


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Personally I would start off with the 100amp/hr sears platinum 31m. I got by with this single battery for a long time - charging phones, laptops, winch, ARB fridge, etc.

Typically I'm moving each day when camping so it was more than enough. Even two nights was fine.

It was when I started doing longer and more remote trips that I decided on a second battery and to be honest it was more for the single failure point insurance.

Going with the big main lets you ease into it cost wise and with plenty of battery power. If you every feel your consumption going beyond that one battery you can add on later.

I just see a ton if people go duals out of the gates with no real power needs to justify it.

 

[ETAV8R]

This is what I'm using to manage the charging of the batteries. It was suggested by a friend here on EP. It is pricey but I believe it is well worth it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160866036846?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


There is a video on that vendors site about how the unit operates.