Auxiliary <span class="highlight">Battery</span>

Submitted: Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 06:44
ThreadID: 132363 Views:2572 Replies:8 FollowUps:9
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Good morning everyone. My Auxillary Battery in a Prado needs replacing. Talking to an Auto Elec yesterday he recommends a replacement with a Marine battery. They are more expensive but according to him are a far better option. Can anyone advise me on a suitable battery. Does it need to be a Marine Battery? Thanks guys.
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Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 08:04

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 08:04
Our auto electrician does a lot of travelling, camping etc & he uses Bosch marine batteries as auxillarys. I think he quoted me around $210.00, as I am due for a new one in my Prado before our next trip.


AnswerID: 599788

Follow Up By: Colcam42 - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 16:58

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 16:58
And that is what the local auto-elec told us, very happy with the marine batteries now in our van and for the ute auxilliary.
The Bosch cranking battery has been great too as leaving the lights on is a perennial problem with our LC VJ79, one time over an hour and she still cranked over to start

Cheers, Col
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Reply By: oz doc - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 08:11

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 08:11
Hi johnno, what battery do you have now and where is it located? Doc
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Follow Up By: johno59 - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 13:39

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 13:39
Without taking it out its damned hard to See what brand it is. If you were sitting in the drivers seat it I located at the front on the right side.I think it's seen better days and needs replacing. Thanks johno
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Follow Up By: oz doc - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 15:35

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 15:35
Hi Johno, I went through this dilemma a few years ago and ended up with a Century 100ah "marine " battery. My aux is in the tray behind the cab and unfortunately it wasn't a good spot for it. Seemed to leak a bit of acid.I wondered if it was getting too much movement even though it was strapped down into a fixed battery box.I didn't get a good run out of it for various reasons and have replaced it 3 weeks ago with a deep cycle battery. When I did some googling on the subject I found quite a few references to the Century brand "marine" batteries leaking. You may be ok if its under the bonnet but something to consider anyway. Doc.
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Reply By: Keir & Marg - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 09:40

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 09:40
Apparently marine batteries are constructed to be much more resistant to vibration and shock than a standard automotive battery, so they will last longer in a 4WD that goes offroad.
AnswerID: 599795

Reply By: LAZYLUX16 - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 09:54

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 09:54
I contacted Century and they said just get standard 4wd battery that is designed for vibrations and heat .I ended up buying 105ah 680cca Supercharge Allrounder deep cycle aux and for cranking 810cca Supercharge Gold.$380 for both.Gives me 210ah plus can use both to start or power my winch.
AnswerID: 599799

Reply By: Bruce M - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 10:15

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 10:15
I have marine batteries for both cranking and auxiliary in my 120 series Prado. Both have given good service over ~4 years to date, including some offroad. In my opinion, if you plan to take your Prado on to corrugated or unsealed roads or tracks you would be well advised to install a battery that is more robust than the standard one.

BruceM
AnswerID: 599800

Follow Up By: johno59 - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 13:40

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 13:40
Thanks. WE DO GO OFF-ROAD and sometimes it's very corrugated. Johno
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Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 15:47

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 15:47
Marine batteries are similar to cranking batteries, the big difference is the handles. The better AGM batteries are fine in off road use and supply more cycles.
PeterD
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AnswerID: 599812

Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 17:27

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 17:27
You know, battery manufacturer's and dealers must be plain stupid.
It is clear from the comments made here and elsewhere that "Marine Batteries" are the Antz Pantz for duty as auxiliary batteries in the off-road application.

So why don't they market the "Marine Battery" as the be-all and end-all for off-road vehicles? Just put on a different label.
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Allan

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AnswerID: 599820

Follow Up By: LAZYLUX16 - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 18:27

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 18:27
Exactly Allen B .I just replaced 2 batteries that were in vehicle for 6years.Normal lead acid made in Thailand.The previuos owner was builder in outback so served him well.When I went to replace them battery dealer told me to go same but the aux battery 105ah and able to start Hilux if needed .I wanted AGM at higher cost but they said waste of money ..Before that I contacted Century asking them about Marine battery they told me to buy normal 4wd battery as designed for under bonnet and vibrations...cheers
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 19:00

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 19:00
Funny how an auto lec would say an AGM batt would be a waste of time ??

If you were using the aux to say run a fridge regularly overnight ( or longer ), then the AGM would be a no brainer long term.

If your use of the aux was infrequent, then a "normal" 4wd type battery would give many yrs of service.

Some auto lecs and batteries just don't seem to mix at times ??
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FollowupID: 869092

Follow Up By: Steve - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 20:14

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 20:14
I agree Gronk that some auto elecs don't understand the applications but he's right when h says agms don't like sitting in the hot engine bay under th bonnet
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 20:37

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 20:37
He didn't say anything about AGM's and heat under the bonnet.

But yes, they don't like that environment. I was probably thinking the aux was anywhere but the engine bay ??

So, back to a deep cycle wet cell........know a fair few with the Supercharge deep cycle and are pretty happy with them !!
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FollowupID: 869099

Follow Up By: Steve - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 18:42

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 18:42
"funny how an auto lec would say an agm would be a waste of time"

the vast majority of Prado owners would put their battery under the bonnet - not the best spot for an agm - this is the point the auto elec was clearly making - not funny at all
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FollowupID: 869241

Reply By: dad1340 - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 08:32

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 08:32
Don't forget the Redarc BCDC in the dual battery system. Magic piece of kit.

Cheers

dad
AnswerID: 599839

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