Hilux duel battery

Well first of all duel batteries are a bad idea, just as duelling bajos are :-)
Dual batteries however are a different matter :-)

I have for years used a simple home-made system. Since I used it just to runa fridge etc and not a winch, and was happy to use jumper leads if I needed to start from auxilliary battery, I simply run a small wire from one battery +ve to the other via a 30 amp relay. The relay is switched by a voltage from charge wire on the alternator, or in petrol from the =ve sde of ignition coil.

Has worked fine for years running a 3way fridge. If you want to start from aux or run winch this may not be ideal but it sure works for simple set up and the cost is about $20.

Joe, $1,300 seems over the top if it is based on a simple Solenoid or Redarc. The job is fairly easy to do yourself. Or you can do the simple stuff yourself and get an auto elec to finish off.

Buy the battery tray and install it yourself. I used a Piranha one that I got from TJM. Well made and real easy to install. Shop around for the battery. I got mine from Battery World which was cheaper than the 4WD shops. Buy a Redarc on the web. Then if you like, get an auto elec to connect it up. I'd be surprised if it cost more than $750. Say $160 for battery tray, $160 for battery, $130 for Redarc, $300 for cable, circuit breakers and labour from the auto elec.

Hi Joe

The simple solution is a Universal Dual Battery System. The 12V Power Pack will contain a battery up to 120 ah to suit your needs and is fully portable and can be installed in just 10 minutes.

Our system and the one supplied by Opp.lock. have built in battery management and are a fit and forget system.

I heard that ARB might also be trying out a similar product. Not to be confused with ABR

Regards Derek.

Hi

In my old lux I installed one myself and I thought that it's very simple and easy. The setup was working well for a couple of months. The most important thing I can say about this is make sure you do it properly. I didn't do mine properly and I actually ended up with a electrical fire. If I followed the instructions and didn't take short cuts it never would have happened. If you talk to allot of people and get a mate to come over and help you could do it for pretty cheap. But I can't say it enough don't take shortcuts like I did with it....I didn't have my car for close to 3 weeks

Hi Joe
Redarc $90/$100 on e-bay maybe $130 - $150 at battery world. Cable, couple of inline fuses, and some battery fittings, another battery and a tray if required.
Follow the directions supplied with the Redarc.I have done it on my 97 2.8 Hilux.
Has never missed a beat and I am no genius when it comes to doing this sort of stuff.
Good Luck
Howard.

joe1

A battery tray from a "petrol" model ($25 rekers) will sit in behind the left headlight. Some "low profile" type terminals to clear the bonnet, Redarc etc as above. Got pics if ya like.

Andy

joe1

awise181 at aapt dot net dot au, and i will send pics. I'm in Sydney if ya want a peek about. 99 mod.