Dual Battery Management

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I measured the battery area in the Tacoma yesterday and think I can get a group 31 in that same spot - may have to juggle some wires a bit - if I can get one of these battery trays in there I might make a go of it...
I have a dual Optima battery tray( for an FJ40) from the same folks in the link above and it is a superbly crafted product - I wonder if he could make ones for the Tacoma ?

www.stainlesstrays.com is top notch stuff, had them in my FJ60! very nice!

 

[Desertdude]

I emailed Noel at Stainlesstrays.com about making trays for the Tacoma- he asked me for photos of the Tacoma battery tray - it looks like he might be interested in making them

I am wondering how different the trays are from 99 up?

We'll keep us posted

 

[BajaTaco]

DD, you mentioned putting a 31 in the same spot. Where are you referring to? I currently have one in the stock location, so it will work in that spot (at least on the 98-04) but requires a new hold-down bracket and longer cables. Also, you mentioned the stock tray for the Tacoma, but my '98 does not really have a tray. It just sits on a plastic "tray" that resembles a drip-pan, that sits on a sheetmetal shelf that is part of the front inside fender. I think I did measure this location for potentially putting two 34's side-by-side and if I recall, there wasn't enough room unless you got way too close to the oil dipstick, alternator, and radiator shroud.

 

[asteffes]

That's a lot of weight up front, either way you do it. Dual 34s would weigh about 100 pounds, while a single 31 would be around 80 pounds. I still need to investigate the under-body battery box idea, but alas I went condo shopping this weekend instead. :elkgrin:

 

[Desertdude]

Chris - I only have a group 34 ( yellow top) in the OEM battery tray ( plastic) ( I thought you did too)? I went to you cool write up and see what you have fab'ed

I am thinking of a group 31 in that spot but with a more solid SS tray

It looks a bit too tight for two grp 34's ... And the 04 has the ABS stuff on the pass side

 

[Mlachica]

Chris - I only have a group 34 ( yellow top) in the OEM battery tray ( plastic) ( I thought you did too)? I went to you cool write up and see what you have fab'ed

I am thinking of a group 31 in that spot but with a more solid SS tray

It looks a bit too tight for two grp 34's ... And the 04 has the ABS stuff on the pass side

You can put a group 31 or two group 34's in the stock location. Chris nicely put the optima group 31 and a guy from TTORA (******** Foster) put two odyssey 1200mjt's side by side (rotated 90 deg) in the stock location. To fit the odysseys it required some fabbing and he may have had to move the fuse block slightly. The install wasn't too bad.

 

[Seeker]

Here's a pair of Group 34s in the stock location:

As you can see, with a bit of fab work, and a shoehorn, it is possible to put two group 34s in the stock location. The inboard battery rubs on the radiator mount and they're a bit tight against the headlight, but if you got creative I'm sure neither problem is insurmountable.

Ultimately I decided not to go with this solution. I'm almost done building my battery-in-a-box in the bed of my pickup. Essentially an ammo can with the battery, fuse block, relay block, and solenoids built into it.

 

[BajaTaco]

Wow - a shoehorn it is. Now I see it can be done though - thanks for sharing the pics. I am assuming some kind of tray with bracing would need to be added to adequately support the inboard battery?

 

[Desertdude]

thanks for those photos man that is tight


I have a 31 ready to replace the grp 34 in the aux box in back of the truck ( second battery) - I am going to get the other 31 for the front ( starting battery) and call it done - I hope to get a slick SS tray for it

 

[Seeker]

Yes, you would definately want to build a better tray and anchor it not only to the top of the wheel well, but the side of the wheel well (under the tray) and the fender too. Also, there were two wires in under the lip of the fender that aren't visible which, if moved, would have allowed another 1/8" or 1/4" movementunder the lip of the fender.

 

[BajaTaco]

Thanks for the additional info.

DD, that plan of yours sound great.

 

[Seeker]

thanks for those photos man that is tight


I have a 31 ready to replace the grp 34 in the aux box in back of the truck ( second battery) - I am going to get the other 31 for the front ( starting battery) and call it done - I hope to get a slick SS tray for it

DD, are you going to use the 34 as a starting battery and move your stock wiring or just use it as a jumper battery and keep everything connected to the 31 in the stock location?

 

[Desertdude]

Right now I have a grp 34 in the starting batt & aux batt locations - I plan to ugrade this to the larger grp 31 in both locations - the grp 34 is a bit small for all the power I use while sitting still - I like to have available 110 with an invertor


... I like my power what can I say :rockon:

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I use 2 Giant Group 27 Sears Die Hard Golds! (one is a standard one and one is the deep cycle RV one)

Both are over 1.5 years old and they still work like a champ and i abuse the hell out of em with a 1500watt inverter, fridge (sometimes 2) and even a Rice Cooker!!

 

[Icewalker]

Going back to the battery switch aspect of the install - I just got my blue sea switch yesterday - On the diagram it shows terminal 1, 2 and common and then there is terminal F1 and F2 on the switch? They show one as going to something on the alternator called field ? Anyone have any ideas what this is? I'm definitely challenged when it comes to vehicle wiring

TIA

Jeff