does a LC 200 series need a 3rd battery to run an Engel fridge?

Hugh go and join the Land Cruiser Owners web site, http://www.lcool.org. Heaps of info there. Most split the two batteries as you only need the one as a starter battery. You will need an isolator between the two so you do not run down the starter battery. We had an auto election do our cruiser. Like I said, http://www.lcool.org has heaps of info. The 200 is a brilliant car, enjoy. Kevin

Hi Bush Camper

The plug in the rear does only work when engine running. I had mine wired to be constant live.

As for splitting the batteries. I have a Sahara and been told that it needs both batteries to start, therefore splitting isn't an option.

By the look of posts above it may be worth splitting the current two and installing a third in parallel with the "non-alternator" one already in the car. Link them with a Redarc 200 amp isolator/switch.

We run two fridges and that's what we did in our 100 series TD. No worries camping for two days without any charging. Almost full charge left in the starting battery.

Phil

For piece of mind and not a huge cost I would fit third battery,(if inside your cruiser an AGM fully sealed.

Split the batts...as said before, and whether you use a third one or not....why not use a Traxide isolator..it uses ALL batts to run the load, until the voltage gets down to 12V, then isolates the starter batt..lots more usable power....and don't worry, it still leaves plenty of capacity to start the engine..

I have had a 200 Sahara since Feb 2008. I split the battery 5 years ago. There is only one reason to put in a third battery. To make money for ARB or Pirhana etc.

There are already 2 big battery trays in place and the Drivers side Aux will fit a DC331 ( next size up from N70).

It is ok in the snow and Vic winter.

There is a Toyota bulliten somewhere floating around LCOOL advising against a 3rd battery as really sensitive connectors and wires have to be moved. They reccoment splitting the battery.

If Mr Toyota thought he could get away with only one start battery he would of done it.... less cost, less weight.

So why didn't he do it?

To me why decrease something that must of been done for a reason.

I added a second battery to my Patrol when it was new for my power hungry fridge. I set them up in parallel to cope with the high drain from the fridge which is recommended by the fridge manufacturer. Most fridges, as mine does, now have a battery cut off voltage that can be set to stop the total drain of the batteries so to allow you to start your vehicle. With 2 batteries at 11.5 volt cut off, you still have plenty of starting power so i have never seen the point to add a Redarc type isolator to keep one battery only for starting. I have had this system since 1999 over 2 Patrols and never had a problem. As we have a roof tent and is not always easy to pack up and go for a drive to charge the batteries, we simply run the engine for 20 minutes at idle, generally in the afternoon, and this charges more than enough to get through the next day. It also gets the engine to normal operating temperature so allows us to use the engine mounted shower daily. The amount of diesel used at idle daily seems to be very small for the dual purpose of recharging the batteries and the shower use. Engel fridges are not high power users from what i have read so a parallel battery system would be perfect for the application. Michael