Trump's 03 Tacoma

R

riveroceanandmountain

Adventurer
thanks Trump and 4RunAmok...... it makes sense!

My thought is to carry another battery in my pop-up to run the fridge and lights and fantastic fan etc..... but the dual battery in the truck will run the truck stuff...

I have found I want more amp hrs than I get on the yellow top for fridge use.

I had thought of getting the dual rectifier so I could isolate the camper battery from the secondary truck battery.... does this make any sense?

Do you think charging three batteries would overload the alternator?

hmmm

more research required

Great build by the way

David
 
4RunAmok

4RunAmok

Explorer
I can't speak for the overloading the alternator part, because honestly, I don't know. I do know that if you do intend to charge off the front batteries, you will need an automatic charging relay so that it connects to the front batteries when it needs to, and you should also run a completely separate wire to do the charging, a 6 gauge wire at least, for the task. But if you have a pop-up trailer, there's no reason why you couldn't put 120 watts of solar panels on it with a charge controller to keep the battery in the back charged up. Look at Solar Blvd, link: http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Pane...20-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel/product_info.html ...Look at the price of this! Can run an ARB fridge, and still have power left over to charge the battery under optimal conditions!

With regards to the rectifier, if you're not going to spend the money it takes to get a Powergate, then stick with a Automatic Charging Relay, like the Blue Sea 7622 ML-ACR, performs flawlessly automatically with the option of manual override through two means; switch on the dash, or knob on the relay itself... in other words, bulletproof.
 
trump

trump

Adventurist
4RunAmok said:
With regards to the rectifier, if you're not going to spend the money it takes to get a Powergate, then stick with a Automatic Charging Relay, like the Blue Sea 7622 ML-ACR, performs flawlessly automatically with the option of manual override through two means; switch on the dash, or knob on the relay itself... in other words, bulletproof.
Click to expand...

I agree. If I hadn't found the Powergate used the Blue Sea ACR would have been my choice. A robust design with minimal moving parts... but I love the solid state design of what I've got.
 
trump

trump

Adventurist
Sempertoy said:
Wish I was going to make it, but we will be in Texas this weekend. I'll see you at the mountain rendezvous right??
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'll be there hosting the Mountain Challenge for TACODOC. Make sure you come out and compete... if you don't, you're wrong. :D
 
Blackdawg

Blackdawg

Dr. Frankenstein
Hey man, truck is looking great!

I have a question about your dual batteries..

you aren't running an isolator correct? just in parallel? any reason as to why?

im curious as im going dual batteries soon and want to run all my lights and stuff off the second battery..but if running in parallel is safe enough, it would make wiring lights(i have like 14..ha) much easier as i wouldn't have to run ground wires everywhere.

also can't believe your bed rack is still for sale!
 
trump

trump

Adventurist
Blackdawg said:
Hey man, truck is looking great!

I have a question about your dual batteries..

you aren't running an isolator correct? just in parallel? any reason as to why?

im curious as im going dual batteries soon and want to run all my lights and stuff off the second battery..but if running in parallel is safe enough, it would make wiring lights(i have like 14..ha) much easier as i wouldn't have to run ground wires everywhere.

also can't believe your bed rack is still for sale!
Click to expand...

Actually you must have missed the last few pages. I was running the batteries in parallel for about a year, but it was mainly due to laziness. I just finished isolating the batteries and I'm happy with the result. That said, while they were in parallel I didn't have any problems running the fridge for 2-3 days without starting. I feel much better about my new setup and don't cross my fingers before turning the key anymore.

Yeah, can't believe the rack hasn't sold. I know someone wants it.

Here's the isolator and power distribution panel: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1163270
 
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4RunAmok

4RunAmok

Explorer
Blackdawg said:
it would make wiring lights(i have like 14..ha) much easier as i wouldn't have to run ground wires everywhere.
Click to expand...

X2 on what Mark said... But I have questions about your post here that I've quoted... Could you elaborate a little, either by PM or start a thread in the 12Volt section, so as not to distract from Mark's thread?
 
Blackdawg

Blackdawg

Dr. Frankenstein
trump said:
Actually you must have missed the last few pages. I was running the batteries in parallel for about a year, but it was mainly due to laziness. I just finished isolating the batteries and I'm happy with the result. That said, while they were in parallel I didn't have any problems running the fridge for 2-3 days without starting. I feel much better about my new setup and don't cross my fingers before turning the key anymore.

Yeah, can't believe the rack hasn't sold. I know someone wants it.

Here's the isolator and power distribution panel: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1163270
Click to expand...

huh..interesting..well i have two batteries now..so maybe ill do like what you did and start off in parallel and go isolator later once i have a fridge.

I eventually want a fridge and 12v blanket in my RTT for some winter camping but would want to run them with the truck off of course and be comfortable with that..

thanks man!

Love your rig.

4RunAmok said:
X2 on what Mark said... But I have questions about your post here that I've quoted... Could you elaborate a little, either by PM or start a thread in the 12Volt section, so as not to distract from Mark's thread?
Click to expand...


Sure man. PM in bound.
 
4RunAmok

4RunAmok

Explorer
There are plenty of ways to isolate without breaking the bank. Have you seen this thread: How to make a cheap isolated dual-battery setup for $50

He even shows 3 different levels of solenoids that are all affordable.

One thing I don't see mentioned in there is battery matching though. You have to have the same TYPE batteries. You can not mix and match. Not to say you can't have two different brands, you can, but they must match in type; two Flooded Cell, two AGM, etc
 
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