Dual Battery Management

[blupaddler]

I am an electrical novice. I am working setting up a dual-battery system for my 80.

I know Scott is using the Sure Power Isolator:

http://www.surepower.com/separator.html


Boston Mangler is using his super simple and cheap method. I like his method due to the simplicity. (attachment)


There is also the Hell Roaring system. Which I like b/c you can control the unit from the cab.

http://www.hellroaring.com/4wheel.htm



Then...there is the Ibs Dual Battery System that TJM makes. The unit appears to be fairly simple to my feable mind. You can also monitor both batteries via the LED lights (a bonus for weirdo like me). BUT this unit is rather expensive.

http://tjmbullbars.com/ibs.htm


Lastly there is the Power-Gate by Mobi Arc. There is no moving parts (?) and very little loss of power. These guys are local, and I have been meaning to go and talk to them. Just haven't yet.

http://www.perfectswitch.com/#





Basically, I am looking for assistance from all the other electrical gurus here that know a lot more than me. My knowledge is limited, but growing...slowly. :smilies27



Thanks

 

[DaktariEd]

I use the Hellroaring Technologies unit.
Check out their website.
They have a lot of helpful artcles that deal with "how-to" issues...and the "boss" there has always responded to my e-mail questions...
HTH,

Ed

 

[Dave]

12voltguy.com also has a solution. I'll be watching this thread since I'm hoping to do a dual battery setup sometime in the next six months.

 

[Scott Brady]

Cool Robb. Good luck with this.

I am very happy with my simple solution, the SurePower 200amp.

 

[SinCity4r]

x2

 

[BajaXplorer]

Scott,
Are you using the 1314-200 or the 1315-200?
Where did you source it? I have had trouble finding a place to buy one.
BX

 

[SinCity4r]

I got mine from Wrangler NW. (re-labeled, same unit)
You can ring them at 800.962.2616.

I'm using the 1314-200 in my 04 4runner.

 

[Scott Brady]

Mine is the 1314 and was purchased direct from Surepower.

 

[BajaTaco]

No offense to Mr. Mangler, but I would definitely not use the manual battery switch method. I think it is too easy to forget to switch it and you will either end up with a dead starting battery (forgetting to isolate), or a dead auxiliary battery (forgetting to combine). Then again, most people probably have a better memory than I.

Having the in-cab indicators is really nice. It's a bonus to be able to see if there is anything going on that shouldn't be. And also nice to confirm that both banks are being actively charged when underway.

I think these new Surepower units like Scott has are tough to beat for the price. Very cool.

I also have really wanted to try out the new MobiArc. I think having that ultra-low resisitance would be a nice bonus for getting the aux. battery charged back up faster after a camp session with a deep draw-down. Definitely costs more though.

If it were me, I'd probably buy the SurePower or the Mobi-Arc. If money were no object, I'd be tempted to get the HellRoaring or maybe even a Xantrex with a visual indicator and controls you could put in the cab.

 

[asteffes]

I'm liking the Hellroaring units. I envision teaming that with two of the nice Odyssey batteries that Expedition Exchange is selling (or the Yellow Top I've had sitting in the garage for a few months.) But that's easily a $1k project using the fancy batteries!

Have any of you attempted an under-bed battery box? I want to avoid another battery under the hood for better weight distribution. I may talk to my fabricator friend about welding up a box that tucks between the framerails.

 

[BajaTaco]

I'm liking the Hellroaring units. I envision teaming that with two of the nice Odyssey batteries that Expedition Exchange is selling (or the Yellow Top I've had sitting in the garage for a few months.) But that's easily a $1k project using the fancy batteries!

Have any of you attempted an under-bed battery box? I want to avoid another battery under the hood for better weight distribution. I may talk to my fabricator friend about welding up a box that tucks between the framerails.

That would be a sweet setup! I definitely thought about an under-bed box, but ultimately decided against it. Not because it was a bad idea, but just because I figured something out that worked better for me. I think doing a battery under the Tacoma would be a substantial project.

 

[blupaddler]

a Xantrex with a visual indicator and controls you could put in the cab.

What is a Xantrex? Brand...
Where would I find indicators or controls? If I remember correctly, you have an indicator on your passenger side xcab? Where did you get yours? Obviously, this would require more wires to run, etc, etc.

 

[Scott Brady]

Xentrex is one of the highest quality and feature rich charge control options available.

I actually hope to do a complete upgrade to their systems, inverters, solar controller and load/system controller.

12v system charger: Provides 120v hook-up for charging the vehicles 12v batteries.

Inverters: For converting 12v to 120v 60hz

I will share more of my plans early next year. I need to beef up the charging, reserve and solar systems of the truck in preparation for South America.

 

[Mlachica]

mobi arc isolator

I am using the mobiarc surepower 200. It's from their first batch of production units

The isolator only needs to be rated for whatever amperage your alternator is capable of putting out. I opted for the 200 so I will have the option of beefing up the alternator.

My unit is just an isolator, it will not combine the batteries. And for me, it has worked great. I haven't had any problems and it was a cinch to hook up. Hardest part is just routing your power cables and such.

With this unit your alternator constantly charges both batteries with minimal power loss. Also, with this setup your auxilliary battery is constantly jump starting your main (starting) battery. This means your main battery will never have a lesser charge than your aux battery.

I run all of my aux load from my aux battery (odyssey 1700mjt) which includes but isn't limited to, fridge, bunch o' lights, winch and communications.

I find with the way this system is designed there is no need to combine both batteries. And when not combining batteries that means there's minimal chance of having a dead starting battery (can happen when forgetting to uncombine the battery during extensive electrical loads).

Some useful and impressive info found here

 

[BajaTaco]

What is a Xantrex? Brand...
Where would I find indicators or controls? If I remember correctly, you have an indicator on your passenger side xcab? Where did you get yours? Obviously, this would require more wires to run, etc, etc.

Yes, Xantrex is very big in the RV and Marine industry. The unit I have is one of their older "Pathmaker" models (no longer made) [correction: they are still made. - BT 10-13-08], which I purchased through eBay. I separated the control panel from the isolator solenoid. I mounted the solenoid in the engine bay close to the batteries, and I put the panel inside the xcab. There are some pics here.