dual battery system for LC100 turbo diesel

Re warranty, a while back, ARB did a friend's 100 series by separating the two batteries with a simple solenoid. Reckoned it would be fine. I didn't think it was a great installation.

Thanks for the reply Dave... where did you put your third battery? also, what was the approx cost? By the way, I have spoken with toyota and they reckon that even if you put a third battery in instead of splitting the two factory fits, if a fault can be attributable to that installation, the warranty would be void for the repair work required.

Thanks again,

Dave.

Just did a dual battery system today on a new 4.8TI patrol no problem if you put some thought into it.

David78
Sounds good. What would be cost of this set-up?
thanks
EV70

David,
Toyota fit 2 x Cranking batteries to this model vehicle for what reason ? ?

So is Toyota wrong in using (or is that needing) 2 x Cranking batteries ? ?

Why not use a "deep Cycle" battery to run your fridge ?

If you read the battery manufacturers specifications of their own products you will see the actual difference between a Cranking battery and a Deep Cycle battery.

The benefits of using a DEEP CYCLE battery below is from Exide's web site:

"Deep Cycle" Batteries are designed to provide "deep cycle" power - making them very different from ordinary car batteries.
Starting a car requires a high amount of energy for a short period of time (about 5 seconds). Only a small amount of the battery's capacity is used. Once the engine starts running, the battery is recharged quickly by the alternator, which carries the basic electrical load.

On the other hand, "DEEP CYCLE" batteries supply a relatively low amount of current for a long period of time.
They are specially designed to power electric trolling motors and other electrical accessories in boats and Recreational Vehicles.
Unlike ordinary car starting batteries, they can be run down and recharged (deep cycled) repeatedly with minimum loss of capacity.

When a car starting battery is deep cycled, it loses capacity very rapidly and in some cases has lost its useful capacity in 50 cycles (discharges and recharges) or less.
These limitations make car batteries a poor investment when used for marine and Recreational Vehicle deep cycle applications.
A single DEEP CYCLE marine/RV battery will outlast 2-4 car batteries.

They are not my words but direct from Exide batteries, in simple English they actually sum it up by stating;
"One DEEP CYCLE battery will outlast 2 to 4 car batteries" and I suppose they could be wrong, and those who use car Cranking batteries instead of Deep cycle batteries have their own reasons but just can't substantiate them when Exide actually states "DEEP CYCLE batteries will outlast up to four (4) car Cranking batteries", it just does not make any sense to use a less efficient Cranking battery to do the work that a DEEP CYCLE is specifically designed to do.

Hoping that will clarify the situation for you!

Mainey,

Since the fridges became more efficient, the need for a true deep cycle battery is less common for many of us. Most of the people I trip with are on the move or using the vehicle every day. So we use twin cranking batteries. It also means that if you have a battery failure in the desert, then both batteries can easily start the vehicle. It also means that we can use both batteries for winching.

Wet cell deep cycle batteries have their downsides. You might have also seen on the Exide website that an Exide Endurance Deep Cycle battery has a 6 month warranty, while an Exide Extreme cranking has a 24 month replacement warranty. And the deep cycle battery takes longer to recharge, especially when it gets a bit sulphated.

AGMs are a different story, and once they can sort out their longevity under the bonnet of a 4wd, I'll be interested.

Phil,
Yes, when your travelling and driving each and every day, as you have stated you and most of the people you trip with actually do, you could use any type of budget priced battery.

However;
for those that believe a holiday is where you go and stay at a place that you love to be, enjoying the company of fellow campers, or even the pure solitude of a deserted beach or similar enviorment, with-out driving at all, often for weeks at a time, then the DEEP CYCLE battery just can't be matched by any Cranking battery even when they are wired in parallel.

As to the 6 months warranty of the Exide Endurance, that is Exides choice, if it were a Delkor Deep Cycle battery it would have a far better battery performance and also much longer warranty as well.
If you pay a cheap price you can't expect to be getting the some performance as 'better' batteries.

As to your comment that a Deep Cycle battery takes longer to recharge than a Cranking battery that's totally true, and reason is as stated by Exide, the Deep Cycle battery is built different to a Cranking battery, as the Exide web site clearly explains.
Your point of a sulphated battery is relevant equally to both Cranking and Deep Cycle batteries.

Yes, AGM's are a very different story, on that point it appears we can agree, that's the sole reason I use them myself they are a very superior source of reliable 12 volt power when camping.
They recharge far quicker than a Cranking battery, when used as a 'storage' battery, they will discharge lower and also hold a positive charge for a much longer period of time and last for years longer than any wet cell Cranking battery.

I find that people who have not used a "good quality" DEEP CYCLE battery will still be using Cranking batteries as an Aux battery and it's only when they have advanced to the DEEP CYCLE or even further up the tree to the (yes more expencive) AGM battery, do they realise how truly fantastic it is to have a reliable power source on tap that you don't have to drive on a daily basis just to 'top it up' because the better quality DC & AGM batteries will hold their charge for much longer than a Cranking battery when powering a fridge as is explained on the Exide web site.

When you say 'change and isolate the two' do you mean replace them with larger (what size) capacity? What is the best alternative?

thanks
EV700

I use the MRV70 Batteries. Rated at 105 A/H and 760cca each. Fit a Redarc or ABR sidewinder isolator.

Thanks for your reply Derek... I'll be in contact with you when you open again next week - I'm after a tekonsha prodigy installation as well as the dual batter sys. In the mean time....What's your take on the benefits of 2 vs 3 stage units when charging a camper trailer battery as well? Also, do you install/ recommend Rotronics units?

cheers, dave.

Hi David

I will look forward to you call. There are many good isolators on the market as well as battery chargers. I will go through them with you when you call.

We have a new isolator on its way. They are the latest technology and even took me by surprise when tested.

Regards

Derek.