The best dual battery system

Uh..Oh........

Me thinks I better duck for cover for a while........... it's gonna get ugly here!!!!!

If only Willem was here to rescue us all.........Heeeeeeelp!!!!

dont forget the $30 solonoid duel batt system.

One with 2 batteries LOL

ARRID, have a look at www.allabout12volt.com.au

Baz.

MOST RELIABLE - REDARC, that comes from an auto Sparky who has been fitting systems for 10 years, (not me!), when I asked the same question. Believe ARB system uses same or similar isolator
Rolande

Redarc for me. Completely automatic and can use the second battery to jump start via an optional switch.
John

I have the Pirahna system in my Gu. Having said that they are all good in their own way and it is all much of a muchness. Personally I like the ability to "get into" the workings to at least have half a chance of fixing one on the road. Not that it should happen but it did to me up the Cape and we had it "fixed" in about 20 mins. One of the solenoids had stuck open and need to gently closed as they were staying open. We put it down to the corrugations and dust combined with the humidity up there. Once cleaned appropriately I have never had a problem since.

cheers

I runa redarc isolator, the same as the ARB smart solenoid but 1/2 the price. But as for the "best" system, I believe the charge/isolator by Rotronics is the best if you are talking about the ability to recharge the batteries properly.

A solenoid (redarc, ARB etc...) joins both batteries together and any internal resistance difference makes proper full recharging difficult. Now add a deep cycle battery into the equation (different internal resistances) and it will take ages to fully recharge it, if at all!!!

The rotronics overcomes this by individually charging the batteries as required and ensuring the starting battery stays charged. Add a 3rd deep cycle battery into say a van and it will also charge it. But a complete 3 bat plus winch setup costs over $1,000 just for the isolator!!!! Hence my redarc and manual switch to charge the van. Rotronics is great, but too $$$ IMHO

Cheers

Captain

The simpler the better!
A solenoid setup does the job.... if it breaks, just bypass it by putting both the battery cables to the one terminal.... replacements are readily available. The deep cycle battery issue regarding a full charge can be bypassed by using the home battery charger at appropiate intervals to fully charge the battery.
Simple
:-)

Woz,

It depends on many factors, most not mentioned here.

What type of battery are you using as the 2nd battery?

is it a Cranking or a Deep Cycle battery?

What are you going to use the 2nd battery for eg; power fridge, lights ect.

Some Solenoids are not suitable in duel systems when the 2 batteries are not identical!

So many variables - so many different answers ???

as an installer of dual battery systems please note that systems should be surge/spike protected, solenoids should be mounted verticaly, wired with the correct gauge cable, do not control a solenoid by ignition as each time you turn the key on and crank you put a high amperage through the contacts. the battery managment we manufacture does not patch into any other power source other then start battery to solenoid controlled by battery managment unit then onto battery bank. our system can contol second battery on vehical and other batterys on camper/caravan etc.

Glenn 12 volt installer of
12volt ccma.com.au