Another dual battery thread

Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 12:05

grunta1970

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Hello all. I was viewing an archived thread recently that I was interested in but couldn't reply to it so thought I would post a couple of questions about it.

It was in regards to having an AGM battery in a battery box sitting on the floor behind the drivers seat as the second battery. Wiring up the isolator under the bonnet, run the cables through to the back seat area somehow and use an Anderson plug to connect to the battery. I have a 97 twin cab hilux , I can't put a battery under the bonnet and don't really want to put the battery in the tray either so thought this might be a good idea. Could any tell me if this is a totally viable option for me. All I want to do is power a waeco fridge, nothing more. I like to get away for weekends camping, sometimes longer trips away, but not often am I staying put in the one place for more than 3 or 4 days.

I do have a couple of questions.

Seeing as the battery would be inside the hilux, that would mean having to run both positive and negative cables from the main battery to the AGM, instead of earthing to the chassis etc, is that correct?s.

If I was to go with the Anderson plug option I am assuming that I need 2 of them on the battery box. 1 for the cables to run from the cranking battery, then another to run to the fridge( assuming I put an Anderson plug on the fridge cable). Would this all be easy to wiring up?

Last question. Would 6 b&s cable be fine for this?. I see there are cable kits on ebay for around 130$, 6b&s cake and 140A isolator. Ok?.

Really, I want as basic a setup as possible, running the fride is all I want. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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AnswerID: 485281   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 12:56

pepper2 replied:

You will also need fuses/circuit breakers at each end of the positive wire that connects the batteries to each other,each fuse should be as close as possible to each battery,cables from the agm to the main battery as you describe,remember the agm will become a lethal missile in an accident make sure it is very well secured.
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FollowupID: 760533   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 13:30

grunta1970 posted:

Ok, showing my total lack of knowledge here. Why are 2 fuses/ circuit breakers required on the same cable? Any chance of posting a link of the required circuit breakers if they are available online?, thanks.
Grant
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FollowupID: 760538   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 14:57

GT Campers posted:

Grunter, think of it this way: if the wire wears through and there is only one circuiot breaker, it will trip. But the other battery will keep pumping in the power and make your car catch fire

Try Jaycar for circuit breakers
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AnswerID: 485284   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 13:22

GT Campers replied:

if it was for very occassional use (?), KISS and simply wire it straight to the vehicle battery (via a fuse or circuit breaker) with an Anderson plug and unplug it when you get to camp to isolate the fridge. You will save some $ that way. As mentioned, anchor the battery well - maybe there is space behind/under the rear seat?
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AnswerID: 485290   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 14:44

anglepole replied:

Hello,

If you are placing a battery in the cabin of your vehicle make sure it is a sealed one. Normal wet cell batteries give off Hydrogen when they are charging.

I don't think a cabin full of Hydrogen gas is a good thing. A spark could cause it explode.

Cheers
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FollowupID: 760539   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 15:20

grunta1970 posted:

AGM is the only option I think
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AnswerID: 485293   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 16:14

Ron N replied:

I wouldn't like to have a battery inside a cabin with me. There are already a good number of reasons why manufacturers don't do it - and I'd check with local rego authorities to see if it's legal.
A battery in the cabin with you in a smash is quite likely going to have some acid come out of it. Admittedly an AGM reduces this factor to a large degree.
More importantly, in a smash, a batterys terminals quite often arc as they come into contact with other metal parts. This will often start a fire.
You may take every precaution to avoid smashes, and be a very good driver - but sooner or later, some idiot will clean you up. I've been driving for 47 yrs, consider myself a good safe driver, and have managed to avoid smashes, even when I've come face-to-face at 110kmh with idiots overtaking on the crest of hills, over double white lines.
However, I was legally parked in a marked parking zone on a major arterial road, in broad daylight (midday) on a fine sunny day, with a dry road - and two clowns in a Commodore ran straight up my backside at 70kmh, without even braking. You have to take this sort of thing into account at all times.

Cheers - Ron.
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FollowupID: 760550   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 18:19

grunta1970 posted:

Sounds like there isn't much point in me stepping out the door, chances are something bad is going to happen lol. A bit too much doom and gloom there for me, but thanks for pointing out Ron . I'm pretty sure that common sense will prevail. AGM battery in a batterybox, secured to the floor should be fine
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FollowupID: 760551   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 18:32

Member - Chris & Debbie (QLD) posted:

Ron, some manufacturers do have the battery in the cab, my wifes SS ute has the battery behind the passenger seat, probably as there is no room under the bonnet.

Chris
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FollowupID: 760562   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 21:04

GT Campers posted:

Ron FYI many/most VW, BMW, VE Commodore, Merc etc etc have batteries in the cabin these days
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AnswerID: 485306   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 20:08

Member - Nolo (Brisbane) replied:

I have one of these from ABR Sidewinder - just add a AGM sealed battery. Kit has isolator, cable with circuit breaker, and plenty of accessory outlets including the two anderson in and out plugs as you mentioned. You can even "bridge" these two to jump start the car if needed. Works for me and very portable.

http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page170a.html

Regards
Greg N
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FollowupID: 760559   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 20:42

grunta1970 posted:

Bingo Nolo!
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FollowupID: 760566   Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 at 22:31

grunta1970 posted:

Wow, $395, battery on top of that.
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AnswerID: 485324   Submitted: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 at 00:39

Ron N replied:

grunta1970 - Go to the following website - www.fridge-and-solar.net - and click on "tech info" - and you'll find that this will give you some reasonably useful, and basic info, on dual battery installation.

Cheers - Ron.
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FollowupID: 760573   Submitted: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 at 01:14

grunta1970 posted:

Thanks ron
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