dual batteries.
Submitted: Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 18:00
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robroy
I have an 80 series petrol\lpg and my battery agent is going to fit an 80amp exide Extreme set up with a wire going to the rear and a good plug to put my wacco cf50 into the only thing I have to do each time is lift the bonnet up and mannualy turn on a switch to get power does anyone think this is ok to do thankyou.
Reply By: OziExplorer - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 18:27
Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 18:27
Why do you need a switch to lift up the bonnet to get power. The socket could be permanently alive and you could switch the fridge on and off at the fridge. The Waeco has a feature that will turn itself off once the battery gets down to a predetermined voltage so you can still start your vehicle. Read your instruction manual how to set it if your fridge has an adjustable setup. www.waeco.com.au if you need any assistance.
Make sure the wire fitted is 6mm twin - NO less. The Hella standard 16mm DIN sockets are a good plug and socket, or the Clipsal T 32vDC socket. Cigarette lighter plugs are not suitable for fridges, just like cheap non-Hella 16mm DIN sockets.
AnswerID:
11013
Follow Up By: Member - Steven - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 18:35
Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 18:35
I agree ozi i use the 32 v plug for all my 12 vdc applications and never have problems with them the only thing is with warranties by cutting off the plugs but hey life goes on
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Truckster - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 20:49
Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 20:49
If its what you need, why not put a switch in the cab? Save the hassles..
AnswerID:
11019
Reply By: goodsy - Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 21:43
Friday, Jan 10, 2003 at 21:43
Need more info robroy. This sounds like a wierd dual battery set up to me. Ask battery agent to install a system that looks after it's self. You should not have to do anything.
AnswerID:
11029
Follow Up By: Robroy - Sunday, Jan 12, 2003 at 13:04
Sunday, Jan 12, 2003 at 13:04
Thankyou Goodsy for your reply I went to Marshall batteries and the owner said he could fit this system for me, he could do the battery set up and an auto electrican will do the wiring he said something like all I would have to do is lift up the bonnet and turn on a switch on at the battery to get power I am new to all this as I have only had my vechile since April 02 and the price was good as
well a system that looks after it self costs $1100.00 to rich for me reguards robroy
FollowupID:
6079
Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 13:20
Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 13:20
Hi Robroy,
Don't know where you are but $1100...VERY RICH!!! We did some pricing around recently for a DBS for our GU. Most we got quoted, full supply and instalation including H/D battery was $760. This for a Pirahna system. Rotronics slightly less. Thru TJM Megastores, same system as Pirahna without the labelling about $100 cheaper again. Then there's the ARB Smart solenoid system a bit less again. In a recent post Oziexplorer provided a link to another supplier for a solenoid similar to ARB Smart solenoide for $99 which would be a further saving of $130.
All of the systems mentioned above are fully automatic. No switches to worry about because you WILL forget to do it, usually at the worst possible time.
Sorry about the convoluted nature of my explanation. Point I am trying to make is 1) $1100 very expensive, 2)
shop around, ask questions and you will save big $.
:o) Melissa
FollowupID:
6118
Reply By: Jarrod - Saturday, Jan 11, 2003 at 16:04
Saturday, Jan 11, 2003 at 16:04
Robroy, Whatever you decide on, make sure your rear/cabin power socket has a quality fuse and holder AS CLOSE TO THE BATTERY positive terminal as posiible. - I agree 6 mm sq. twin is the way to go. A fourty amp fuse will handle the waeco, but a burnt out car in the middle of no where ???? no food,water comms...... ( a fire extinguisher wont put out a shorted cable, it needs to be disconnected.)
Jarrod.
AnswerID:
11063
Reply By: Member - Nigel - Sunday, Jan 12, 2003 at 15:32
Sunday, Jan 12, 2003 at 15:32
There are several good automatic systems around that will isolate your second battery for under $300 (eg Rotronics, Piranha, Redarc). I went the whole hog and got an independant charge Rotronics system for just over $400 (fitting is extra if needed). The basic systems can easily be fitted by most people. The independant system is a bit more involved.
Make sure the cable run back to for the fridge is 6mm twin automotive cable, and preferably cut the plug off the waeco cable and get it joined in permanently.
The Waeco CF50 has a adjustable voltage cutout. High cuts out at 12 volts, Medium cuts out at 11.2 and Low will cut out at 10.4.
I'd only suggest using low if you've using the lighter plug into the original vehicle ligher socket, and then you risk buring out the original cabling.
AnswerID:
11121
Follow Up By: Robroy - Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 16:39
Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 16:39
Thankyou for your thoughts on this matter, did you get the RDC12M or RDC12 and how much did it cost you in total? I know fitting is extra.
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Follow Up By: Member - Nigel - Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 18:23
Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 18:23
I got the RFC12 (cheapest independent system). Cost $425 from memory, I didn't need install as I'm into the electronics side of things. The proper Opposite Lock Battery tray cost me $250 installed. Cables and stuff would have been under $50 - I used started cable for the batteries to the controller.
I just put a Waeco CF50 into my parents Telstar, and ended up using a N70 size deep cycle as the only battery (should cope with the tiny little starter motor). They carry a jump starter pack as backup.
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Reply By: rodeoowner - Sunday, Jan 12, 2003 at 20:18
Sunday, Jan 12, 2003 at 20:18
Robroy, the system with the switch that you talk about, while simple is not fool proof. There is the chance that both batteries could go flat. Automatic isolators can be quite cheap (around $100 - the switch you talk about costs around $40 I think - so not too much difference and no extra labour involved). OziExplorer seems to be in the know about this stuff and where to get stuff cheap. If he doesn't reply to this post the question again and ask him directly. Cheers.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Robroy - Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 16:42
Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 16:42
I think I will for get about the system I talked about and get something better,cheers.
FollowupID:
6138
Reply By: Allyn - Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 17:21
Monday, Jan 13, 2003 at 17:21
Robroy
I went for the RDC12M myself and justified/offset it with the thought that I will get 3-4 years out of batteries as opposed to the 12 months I was getting. Had the system for 6 months now and think it's absolutely wonderful. It was a lot of money at the time but will in time pay for itself.
AnswerID:
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