Price Check - Dual Battery System for LC100

Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 at 15:45

Gregster

Hi Guys,

I need to get a Dual Battery system installed into my 100 Series (V8) Cruiser.
Basically it's for running an 40lt Engel Fridge on overnight trips etc.
I know there are a million different opinions on these & after reading all af them, I'm still confused.

But, after talking to the guys at my local ARB, thay can have a Pirahna system installed including running a seperate power outlet to the back with the high capacity socket, which they say will suit me fine.

Question is, is $840 a fair price to pay?

Cheers,
Greg
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AnswerID: 132527   Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 at 18:03

Pterosaur replied:

G'day Greg,

Costs :
1. Battery tray or dual battery tray - $200 - $250 (not sure of the layout in the engine bay of a 100 series)
2. Solenoid about $120 (much cheaper & IMO just as effective as more expensive "battery management systems" sold by various vendors)
3. Engel plug and wiring (3m x 6mm) $40
4. Fuse + fuse holder (to be placed on +ve wire to outlet), assorted connectors - maybe $10 (cheaper & more effective to solder all connections, but so far I've had no probs with crimps etc;)
5. Labour - it's a VERY simple DIY - may take a couple of hours, especially if unfamiliar with requirements.
6. Cost of exra battery - up to you - I use a N70Ex, same as came with my 78 series for simplicity (80 amp hours).

hope this helps
Terry
HZJ78 Troopy Camper
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AnswerID: 132533   Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 at 18:28

AT4WD ADVENTURES replied:

Hey Greg,

where are you located? what is included for the $840.00, like what type of battery?
Which Pirahna system is included?

Regards,

Stuart M.
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AnswerID: 132543   Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 at 19:13

Kiwi Kia replied:

If you have the right tool for the job always crimp - don't solder.
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Reply 3 of 8
AnswerID: 132545   Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 at 19:45

Member - Andy Q (VIC) replied:

G'day Gregster, you can do it yourself for half the price, if you are in Melbourne go and see Battery World in Wantirna, the guys there are very helpful and the price is great, service even better. Chris there will give you all the information you require.
good luck
andy
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FollowupID: 386961   Submitted: Saturday, Oct 01, 2005 at 20:58

Gregster posted:

Thanks Andy,

Actually Batteryworld Wantirna is just down the road from me.
Do they do the whole install from go to wo?
What's the quality of their work like? - ARB "warned" me about those out there that do very poor installations, use cheap cables etc...

CHeers,
Greg
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FollowupID: 387001   Submitted: Sunday, Oct 02, 2005 at 12:03

Member - Andy Q (VIC) posted:

G'day Greg, yeah they can do the install and very good from all reports. In my case Chris there gave me all the advice I needed to install myself(I've done it no problems). I did my battery tray from ARB, but don't worry about their warnings, would you send a would be customer to another outlet??! .
Have a go at it yourself it's quite simple.
good luck,
andy
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AnswerID: 132550   Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 at 20:04

ACDC replied:

Normally around $700.00 with rear acc outlet.
The draw back with piranha systems is you can't manually connect batteries unless you use jumper leads.
Go for a redarc smart start simple and work well.
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AnswerID: 132560   Submitted: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 at 21:12

Col (wa) replied:

Hi Greg,
I read some where that you have to move some part of the power steering unit to fit battery tray and battery. Maybe toyota have already done it.
I always get 3 quotes even if it's by phone as what you are after is a standard dual battery set up.

regards
Col
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AnswerID: 132587   Submitted: Saturday, Oct 01, 2005 at 00:36

Mainey (WA) replied:

(QUOTE) I know there are a million different opinions on these & after reading all af them, I'm still confused.(end quote)

Ok, so if your confused then I would say pay someone who is not confused to do the job for you.....

pay them about $250, (3 1/2 hours work)
battery tray $150? (maybe $250)
Pirahna BDE150S or better $260?
wiring and all connections $60

It's a really simple job to do ... if you know how to do it.... truly!

However if you make a mistake you could blow up any number of electrical devices with voltage spikes and short circuits....

as to using Pirahna v solenoid.....
I have had both in the same vehicle and now use a Rotronics system....
I only removed the pirahna because I can jump start the vehicle with the Rotronics system and change the cables (length and thickness of the leads) I removed the solenoid because I was not happy with its performance.
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Reply 7 of 8
FollowupID: 386916   Submitted: Saturday, Oct 01, 2005 at 02:29

Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) posted:

I have had the solonoid system in a previos vehicle and some work vehicles - to say I was unimpressed would be an understatement - the first you know you have a stuffed battery is when it has thieved all the charge out of the good one and you cant start. My current vehicle has a soloniod in it but the previos owner obviosly came to the same conclusion as me and put a cole hersy type hella isolator switch in
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AnswerID: 132618   Submitted: Saturday, Oct 01, 2005 at 15:06

Sarg replied:

Ever considered one of those cheapie around (the $200 mark) 12/240v generators?
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Reply 8 of 8
FollowupID: 387123   Submitted: Monday, Oct 03, 2005 at 18:29

Mainey (WA) posted:

Yeah, after reading the original post closely....

(QUOTE)
Basically it's for running an 40lt Engel FRIDGE on -O V E R N I T E- trips etc
(end quote)

Look at a GMC $55 generator....
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