Dual <span class="highlight">battery</span> Questions

Submitted: Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 18:50

ThreadID: 82190 Views:17127 Replies:10 FollowUps:5

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Battery Power

In this article we explain why you might need an additional power source independent of the starting battery installed into your vehicle and we look in detail at types of batteries,

CH33ZEBURG3R

Ok i'm about to set up a Dual battery system in my Mitsubishi Triton and ive a few questions if anyone can answer them i'd be grateful.

So i have a Redarc isolator, 6b&s cable, 2 100amp Fuses and of course a 100amp Battery and i've also got a 12V 3 Outlet Power Board (cigarette Connections) that will get mounted and connect straight to the Aux battery, that will be used to power a Waeco fridge, that way i have a couple spare for other things.

Q1. I only plan on really using the Aux's battery power when i go Camping to run the Fridge, so is it best to keep the battery connected or should i remove the battery when its not needed (bearing in mind the battery will be in the back of the tray, so it wont be a problem to disconnect it and keep it in the Garage)

Q2. If i do take it out, should i buy a battery charger to give it full charge before i put it back in again when its needed?

Q3. Leaving the battery disconnected for long periods, will it harm the battery? (thats if i were to take it out of course)

Q4. Is there a way to put some kind of On/Off switch on the isolator so when its not needed, its drawing and power?

Q5. The 12v 3 outlet power Board i'm using to power the fridge, is that ok or should i use some kind of other connection?

Q6. Finally my battery is in a plastic battery box in the back of the tray sitting under the rear window, i just wondered if anyone had any ideas on how to secure it?

So thats all i need advice on, sorry if i sound a bit dumb but i'm new to all this Dual battery stuff and just need to know the best ways to go about it.

thanks ;o)

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Reply By: Evakool - Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 20:30

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 20:30

I'll answer what I can, end of the week and I can't think completely straight.

Someone will know more specifics, but I'll try answer some general things.

Q1 deep cycle batteries lose charge, they need a top up every 1 - 3 months to keep them at thier peak, if you leave it in the Triton it will always be kept full, this won't add much load to the alternator as it is only topping the battery up.

Q2 If you take it out that is a good way to recharge it, or a solar panel or put it back in the Triton every so often.

Q3 If you let it discharge far enough the life can be shortened.

Q4 Unsure

Q5 Depends if you are talking about standard cigeratte connections, there are better connections out there. Anderson connections are best for high amp usage as you can get different sizes (up to 600 amps I believe) and normally won't come loose on rough roads. Also Hella connections are a good option.

Q6 Unsure, maybe not enough specifics on your setup, ie, where do you want it.

Maybe putting in some photos of your gear you plan on using would help, and maybe where you want to put things.

Are you installing all this yourself?

AnswerID: 434562

Follow Up By: CH33ZEBURG3R - Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 21:00

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 21:00

Ok thanks for the advice so far, well this is the 12v 3 Outlet power board i bought

If i find that the connection to the Fridge will not stay in the socket i will most likely use a Anderson plug to connect the fridge to the battery.

I'll get some photo's tomorrow, and yes i am installing it all myself, just securing the battery is my main problem right now.But i'm sure i'll find a solution.

Thanks Again.

FollowupID: 705627

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 01:10

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 01:10

Q5: What connection is fitted to Evakool fridges ? Cigar or Anderson ?

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FollowupID: 705648

Reply By: Rodge - Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 22:04

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 22:04

Q6 suggestion. I had a battery in the tray of my last Hilux. Got a mate to weld up a battery tray just the right size for the battery box - one of those balck plastic ones with a lid - and bolted the battery tray, with appropriate supports, onto the wheel arch under the side window in the ute. Used both parts of an old lap seat belt, one bit bolted to each side of the battery tray, and then clipped together on top of the battery box. Hope that all makes sense. System worked a treat. Cheers, Rodge.

AnswerID: 434572

Reply By: kcandco - Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 22:10

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 22:10

Hi

I use these for fridge connections and find them cheap but very effective. They wont vibrate loose.

AnswerID: 434573

Follow Up By: kcandco - Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 22:16

Friday, Oct 29, 2010 at 22:16

Cigarette lighter connectors will definitely vibrate loose even if they appear secure, leading to arcing between contacts, voltage drop and possible blown fuses. I know this from experience. A melted connection is the last thing you want when you arrive at your destination in the middle of nowhere.
regards Kc

FollowupID: 705637

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 01:13

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 01:13

Q6: There are trays available for battery boxes, ask your supplier for one.

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AnswerID: 434583

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 01:16

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 01:16

Q4: Yes, fit a switch to the earth wire of the Redarc.

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AnswerID: 434584

Reply By: Shain - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 04:30

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 04:30

Hi CH33Z3
I have a Triton as well and am planning to put a dual battery system in it as well. What I am going to do is make up dual battery tray and mount it in the engine bay with a national lunar battery isolator and also have a 3rd battery in the camper trailer which I am going to run 35mm2 SDI to a 50 amp anderson plug which the trailer will plug into. I will put a separate manual battery isolator to on this cable so when the trailer battery is not attached I can turn it off. Also as the cable passes under the tray I am going to tee off this with some 6/8 bs cable with a 50 amp fuse going into the tray connected to a fuse block which will power up compressor, fridge (these 2 will be connected with small anderson plugs so they can be disconeted easily), hard lid LED lights, and accessories sockets for any other stuff. Also if you want some more information about Triton stuff a really good forum site to go to is www.newtriton.net they have so much info for you to go through, I have used it quite a lot in the past. Hope this helps. Shain

AnswerID: 434586

Follow Up By: CH33ZEBURG3R - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:50

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:50

I'll check out that site mate, thanks.

FollowupID: 705726

Reply By: Member - Lee E (WA) - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 11:29

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 11:29

Have you considered mounting the battery in your engine bay. (if there is sufficient space available)
It will cost you less for cable and your 100amp fuses can be both mounted in a safe environment under the bonnet away from lil' fingers.
You can parallel your batteries under the hood and your alternator will charge the second battery only some of the time by topping up.
I prefer having the cig plug mounted into the front bumper (female end out) for a fridge so it can be used from outside the vehicle. Ensure to fuse with 20-25amp according to Fridge manufacturers specs.
The pos or the neg can have a battery isolator switch on the second battery. These are a manual turn switch that you can turn off at the conclusion of your camping trip to isolate until you can get home to fully charge with battery charger iif you prefer.

Good luck,

Lee

AnswerID: 434597

Reply By: The White Ox - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 12:44

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 12:44

Q2. If i do take it out, should i buy a battery charger to give it full charge before i put it back in again when its needed

Yes. Preferably a three stage one

Q3. Leaving the battery disconnected for long periods, will it harm the battery? (thats if i were to take it out of course)

Yes. Batteries prefer to spend their idle time with the electolyte active at a 'float' charge of 13.4-13.8v. An idle battery will suffer from plate sulphation over time.

Q4. Is there a way to put some kind of On/Off switch on the isolator so when its not needed, its drawing and power?

Q5. The 12v 3 outlet power Board i'm using to power the fridge, is that ok or should i use some kind of other connection?

No. My experience is that most of these connections are rubbish and invariably fail. They are not a secure connection and are prone to corrosion/dirt contamination, etc. This problem is probably worse in the tray of a ute. Use crimp connectors and a blade fuse and holder and wire it directly to you battery.

Not sure about the question but if you have a redarc there is provision for attaching a manual override switch, to override the automatic votage dependant switching

Q6. Finally my battery is in a plastic battery box in the back of the tray sitting under the rear window, i just wondered if anyone had any ideas on how to secure it?

Bolt that bitch down nice and secure so it can't move. Make sure that the terminals are protected. There is a lot of stored energy in a battery.

AnswerID: 434604

Reply By: PradOz - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:11

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:11

HI

suggest you look at one of these units for your Waeco fridge - cost $119 normally.

You remove the red section of the plug and plug into the hella fitting which is more secure than a cig fitting. It comes with both Hella and Cig outlets that you can use. It also has a button to set it to only work when the engine is on or to work until it cuts out at low voltage saving your battery in both cases.

Its very easy to fit and is removable if you sell or want it in another car. everything comes in the kit ready to install and it is very easy to fit.

Have a look here at theWaeco Raps

Available at BCF, 4WD outlets, Rays Outdoors etc etc , anywhere that sells waeco gear and even can be bought online. It works really well with the waeco fridge, cheers ....

AnswerID: 434638

Follow Up By: PradOz - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:13

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:13

PS - have a look at BCF they have a plastric battery box setup on special at monent for $50, cheers

FollowupID: 705721

Reply By: CH33ZEBURG3R - Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:49

Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 at 20:49

Well thanks for all the responses i'll take everything on board, and i think i will connect the Fridge using an Anderson plug connection and use the Cig connections for lights etc, got a few ideas about mounting the battery too, so everyone's has been a help answering my Questions.

Thanks again ;o)

AnswerID: 434645