CaliCruiser
Adventurer
Thanks Kurt and Moody for posting up the pictures! What an awesome looking kit.
Kut is this something you stock?
Dylan
Kut is this something you stock?
Dylan
Dual Battery System, 1997 FZJ80
- Thread starter Moody
- Start date
RoundOut
Explorer
I have solenoid envy...
Wow. Nice install!
I used the Painless Performance kit. By the time I bought all the cable, connectors, etc. that didn't come with it, I could have almost afforded the kit you chose and had the fancy controller.
Although the Painless kit is pretty straightforward, I have wondered about overcharging the auxiliary battery ever since installing it. Currently, there are no loads at all running off my auxiliary battery. It just gets a constant charge from the alternator, and that worries me. I know when storing a deep cycle, one should trickle charge it, so it makes me wonder if having a controller that cuts out the charge automatically would be a sound investment.
Any opinions on the topic would be appreciated.
.
Wow. Nice install!
I used the Painless Performance kit. By the time I bought all the cable, connectors, etc. that didn't come with it, I could have almost afforded the kit you chose and had the fancy controller.
Although the Painless kit is pretty straightforward, I have wondered about overcharging the auxiliary battery ever since installing it. Currently, there are no loads at all running off my auxiliary battery. It just gets a constant charge from the alternator, and that worries me. I know when storing a deep cycle, one should trickle charge it, so it makes me wonder if having a controller that cuts out the charge automatically would be a sound investment.
Any opinions on the topic would be appreciated.
.
ckkone
Explorer
I think anyone who is on the fence about buying this system should take a moment and read the owners manaul to see what it is capable of, I think you will find none of the other kits out there can do what this kit can!
http://www.nationalluna.com/datasheets/split-charge_manual.pdf
This is from the Nat Luna owners manual:
Over-voltage / Excessive discharge
If an over-charge condition exists (ie. above 14.65V) on either battery, the Controller will flash the top 4 green lights on the relevant display and an audible alarm will be heard (if enabled).
Similarly, if the voltage on either battery drops below 11.4V, the Controller will flash the bottom red light on the appropriate display and an audible alarm will be heard (if enabled).
The same low-voltage warning will be shown if either battery is missing. (eg auxiliary battery not connected - typical with a removable battery or trailer / caravan connection).
http://www.nationalluna.com/datasheets/split-charge_manual.pdf
This is from the Nat Luna owners manual:
Over-voltage / Excessive discharge
If an over-charge condition exists (ie. above 14.65V) on either battery, the Controller will flash the top 4 green lights on the relevant display and an audible alarm will be heard (if enabled).
Similarly, if the voltage on either battery drops below 11.4V, the Controller will flash the bottom red light on the appropriate display and an audible alarm will be heard (if enabled).
The same low-voltage warning will be shown if either battery is missing. (eg auxiliary battery not connected - typical with a removable battery or trailer / caravan connection).
Moody
Needs to get out more
Here are a few of the install process:
The box is emptying:
the only issue:
The terminals supplied don't allow the second fuse block to close. A file on the plastic will take care of it...very minor of course...maybe they could supply two of the other fuse blocks for ease of install?
The box is emptying:
the only issue:
The terminals supplied don't allow the second fuse block to close. A file on the plastic will take care of it...very minor of course...maybe they could supply two of the other fuse blocks for ease of install?
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
CaliCruiser said:
Yes sir, Equipt1.com retails them, however I do keep a couple in stock for local installs. I will be retailing them in the future, but they won't show up on the website for another couple of days. Give me a ring
PS, how ya been?
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Moody said:
Nice install
I havn't had an issue with the fuses yet, but that because I havn't used them in the setups I've done
They all had winches so I eliminated the fuses. I've seen similar setups where the fuses failed with winching, much to my surprise their instructions also recommended eliminating the fuses.
ckkone
Explorer
CaliCruiser
Adventurer
cruiseroutfit said:Yes sir, Equipt1.com retails them, however I do keep a couple in stock for local installs. I will be retailing them in the future, but they won't show up on the website for another couple of days. Give me a ring
Busy with school and trying to save up some cash to drop on your website before a 5 day trip in March.
Before this thread I was considering the Hellroaring kit, but this looks pretty awesome. Thanks for the pics Moody.
Dylan
Moody
Needs to get out more
By far the coolest part of the National Luna kit is the in cab monitor/controller. I left it on last night to see just how the batteries fare in the cold weather. It has an alarm, as well which tells you if the battery (either one) is low, and can also tell you if your alternator is pooping out.ckkone said:
Mine is mounted to the left of the steering column, and is restricted a bit from line of sight, unless I lean forward a bit. It can be removed if necessary.
Overall, I am very pleased with the kit, and I am excited to run the fridge and all the other stuff (my son's dvd player, power inverter, etc.) off of the second battery!
RoundOut
Explorer
Moody said:
The "simple" part of the Painless kit is the single three-position toggle to control function. In the middle position it is just like stock. In the red-light-lit position, it is just like having both batteries connected in parallel at all times. In the green-light position, it is like having them parallel when the ignition is in accessory or run. As such, the instructions suggest wiring EVERYTHING to the primary battery and leaving the auxiliary as a spare for starting, including winches and high-consumption amplifier systems.
What I like better about your system is that the control is totally automatic with overcharge protection. It appears that one could adapt the National Luna in-cab controller to work with another manufacturer's solenoid. Is there a schematic that you could post on how it is wired to the solenoid? I'd order one of those in a New York minute.
Right now, I am relegated to having to remember to cut out the charging circuit regularly and only charging for a few minutes, without knowing for sure that it is fully charged. Of course, a voltmeter would also give me information, but not alarms.
Does the controller have separate directions, or do they make it "exclusively" for their own solenoid? Thanks in advance.
.
Moody
Needs to get out more
Looks like you can get the monitor for existing setups:
http://www.equipt1.com/h/component/...egory_id,138/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,31/
http://www.equipt1.com/h/component/...egory_id,138/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,31/