Subaru Dual Battery Setups

[calicamper]

Bummer but not really surprising with the XT its not an engine you can ignore or go long on ol changes. I run two group 31's in my 28ft 8000lb sailboat. Even one group 31 in the OB would be silly, for sure would not want it in the cabin during an accident.

Seems that an 80watt panel and a 75-80ah battery would support most 2-3 amp draw fridges in reasonable solar conditions. This seems far more logcal than two goup31s in a OB.

 

[DanCooper]

Midlife Crisis has a dual battery set up in his build in this forum, 2015-Subaru-Outback-Expedition-Retrofit starting at Post 36.

 

[freshlikesushi]

he also has no backseat

 

[DanCooper]

You are right, Grant, Mid-Life opted for no back seat in his build. But he does have a battery in the cabin, used in conjunction with a refrigerator. I didn't offer up the reference for an exact solution of battery and fridge placement, but just to show the OP that another Subaru owner has addressed a similar (not exact, but similar) problem in his own, unique, fitted solely to him, way.

I should have been more helpful, and pointed out that he, the OP, has roughly 41 inches of room between the rear seats and the tailgate. If, like you (and I'm not saying he should copy you, just that you solved your access to the fridge problem by putting it on a slider), he decides to put his fridge on a slider, he has some room for an appropriately sized battery on the slider with the fridge, or in a fixed position behind it (The Engel MT17 referenced by the OP dimensions are 21.2 x 14.2 x 12 inches). Or there is some room between the inner rear wheel fender and the tailgate.

I should have pointed out that the use of AGM batteries increases versatility, because they don't need to be positioned on their bottoms.

I should have pointed out that there is an excellent forum devoted to similar issues (not precisely the same issue, but similar) in the sub-forum here on Expedition Portal titled "Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen" over in the Expedition Support Equipment and Adventure Activities forum.

My bad. I'll try to do better.

 

[freshlikesushi]

Correct. Though if you wish to USE said room, then a battery doesnt belong there


best case, behind a seat is a good option if you dont carry many passengers.

My personal way to do it (which i will be executing this winteR) Is to replace the main battery with a good AGM. Then run a second race batter (from like braille or the likes) and put it under the passenger seat. This will be your actual starting battery. its small footprint means you can put it almost anywhere, but its only good for a starting battery. This way you can run your main battery down, then use the race battery to start only

 

[freshlikesushi]

wait

so you are telling me this...

you would rather spend four hundred and fifty dollars on a yeti, than 2/3 of that on a battery...

get a bluetooth speaker with an aux jack in it, rechargeable lanterns, all stuff that you should have instead of a four hundred and fifty dollar battery

http://amzn.to/1GEdvOH

Im sure for you it sounds like a great idea, but it seems like alot of making a reason to have a toy. though to be fair. if i had that much to throw on a portable battery, i would also.

 

[Stroverlander]

Correct. Though if you wish to USE said room, then a battery doesnt belong there


best case, behind a seat is a good option if you dont carry many passengers.

My personal way to do it (which i will be executing this winteR) Is to replace the main battery with a good AGM. Then run a second race batter (from like braille or the likes) and put it under the passenger seat. This will be your actual starting battery. its small footprint means you can put it almost anywhere, but its only good for a starting battery. This way you can run your main battery down, then use the race battery to start only

If you're planning on using a lithium-ion type battery, cold/freezing temps can be an issue for a starting battery not to mention using a charger that has a desulfation mode that can't be disabled. They are great to save weight on track/race motorcycles but in my experience, I'm not sure I'd want to rely on one to start my four wheel vehicle in everyday conditions. You may be better off with a jumper pack.

Is solar an option?

Not sure what size battery other Subaru's use but replaced the stock 35 in 2010 Impreza OBS with a 24F Bosch Platinum AGM (Exide Edge). Same terminal configuration, slightly better specs for same price, approximately 1" wider and fit with minor trimming to plastic battery tray. While there are probably better AGM battery options it was too good of a deal to pass up at Pep Boys - 30% off and $20 rebate.

There is room to go with an even bigger (wider) battery if you want to get closer to the valve cover, but additional depth may be an issue with stock mounting hardware.

 

[freshlikesushi]

If you're planning on using a lithium-ion type battery, cold/freezing temps can be an issue for a starting battery not to mention using a charger that has a desulfation mode that can't be disabled. They are great to save weight on track/race motorcycles but in my experience, I'm not sure I'd want to rely on one to start my four wheel vehicle in everyday conditions. You may be better off with a jumper pack.

Since it will be interfaced with the stock charging situation, its not a huge deal. ILl be in florida starting next year, so cold isn't an issue.

I used a braille battery in my V8 miata for a few years with no issues, so im pretty happy with them

 

[Stroverlander]

Since it will be interfaced with the stock charging situation, its not a huge deal. ILl be in florida starting next year, so cold isn't an issue.

I used a braille battery in my V8 miata for a few years with no issues, so im pretty happy with them

Was it AGM or lithium ion?

It does become sort of a big deal if it doesn't start your vehicle which I'm applying to the OP who lives in SW MI and not you specifically.

 

[freshlikesushi]

Im in CT. we use them in our race cars up here as well. start no issues.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Braille+Auto/...u4R4vw00d2Aurfo_2wej-orSEQzSwK3AoExoC-13w_wcB

 

[freshlikesushi]

Really? I only recommended the OP go with a stand alone, rather than hardwired, battery. I've had good luck with the GZ350 but there are other stand alone options.
Still, if you can put together a better package for $300 please post a shopping list.

Your first post in this thread was a recommendation for a $350 battery.
Your own plan seems to involve a $200 Braille battery, at least $75 in cables, relays, fuses, etc. plus the chore of installation. You'll probably need to buy a new battery tray for the Braille, maybe one for the battery under the hood if you're upgrading it as well. Add another $100 for a comparable inverter and you're probably pretty close to the cost of a Yeti 400.
Sure, the Yeti has about half the power of a full size battery but, as I said, I've been able to run my fridge for several days on a 33ah battery. The sacrifice of reduced power is offset by the ease of installation (none) and the ability to use the power pack in different ways, to include moving it to a different vehicle (a feature that is/was relevant to the OP who wants to have multiple vehicles in his fleet).



Admittedly, I initially only went this route because I got a deal on a used GZ350 but in the past three years I have well over 100 travel days/nights on this setup without issue and many more days of non-travel related use so.... yes, it was a great idea.

Edit to add: the Goal Zero Extreme 350 is discontinued but still available for $350 from some online retailers. http://www.jmsonline.net/goal-0-ext...gle_shopping&gclid=CLaBv-uU8MgCFcQRHwodVQQAkA

to be fair. I recommended a single battery upgrade for HIM. I have different requirements, hence why i want a dual battery setup.

 

[Stroverlander]

Im in CT. we use them in our race cars up here as well. start no issues.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Braille+Auto/...u4R4vw00d2Aurfo_2wej-orSEQzSwK3AoExoC-13w_wcB

Since you mentioned over-priced battery options...

Is that Braille still just a re-badged Deka AGM with adapter posts, fancy claims and twice the price for the same motorcycle battery?

You could pay half that for the Deka equivalent or similar size/spec Yuasa AGM like the GYZ20H / GYZ32HL / etc which would be my preference over Deka. Save some coin.

 

[freshlikesushi]

it is very possible. Though without breaking it apart and actually testing chemical makeup and other properties, we cannot be 100% certain.

Its one of the standards in the racing world, so its what we have always used in our cars.

 

[PirateMcGee]

If you want to go to less capacity I would skip the goal zero. For 300 you can make a 60ah lifepo4 pack that weighs 20lbs

 

[PirateMcGee]

Standalone 12v LiFePO4 are overpriced due to the limited demand. You are better off buying 3.2v batteries and running them in series.

LiFePO4 can be used pretty similarly to lead acid but I agree that unless you are limited by size or weight you might as well go lead acid for most applications.