help needed for a dual battery set up

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 17:07

ThreadID: 73811 Views:3888 Replies:4 FollowUps:3

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Battery Power

In this article we explain why you might need an additional power source independent of the starting battery installed into your vehicle and we look in detail at types of batteries,

baldman

Hi all,

We are getting ready to drop a new motor into my 4 runner and whilst the engine bay is empty we are going to take the opportunity to give the engine bay a once over and tidy up all the wiring that has been added over the years..

We are also going to install a dual battery system at the same time.

What I do need explained to me is the terms" in parallel", and" in series".

As some may know many diesel surfs and 4 runners came factory with a dual battery set up.

These systems were apparently set up to crank the engine off both batteries and from what I understand do not lend themselves very well to having a battery drained and then recharged via fridges, and inverters.

What I am looking for is a dual battery set up that cranks off one battery, but allows me to run accessories of the other whilst still being charged. In the scenario of the primary battery going flat I would also like a switch to allow me to start of the second battery.

Does any one make this type of set up.

Cheers,

Baldman

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Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 17:49

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 17:49

Please re-type the link.

AnswerID: 391523

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 18:12

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 18:12

I see it is a server problem.

FollowupID: 659424

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 20:21

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 20:21

Hi Baldman

Have a read of this news_letter it may help you.

V_S_R

Regards

Derek from ABR

AnswerID: 391535

Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 20:26

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 20:26

This explains parallel and series if you are not sure.

P_vs_S

Regards

Derek from ABR

FollowupID: 659433

Follow Up By: baldman - Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 22:57

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 22:57

Thanks Derek,

checking out your website.

FollowupID: 659457

Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 at 09:53

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 at 09:53

baldman,

You ask: "What I am looking for is a dual battery set up that cranks off *ONE* battery, but allows me to run accessories of the other whilst still being charged.
In the scenario of the primary battery going flat I would also like a switch to allow me to start of the second battery"

Too easy, fit a quality built larger CCA capacity Cranking battery, and replace the second Cranking battery with an AGM Deep Cycle battery and place an *electronic isolator* between them.
Run your 'accessories' like radio, fridge etc (N0T winch) from the AGM DC battery.

You can use the AGM DC to crank if your true Cranker fails at some time in the future by using a mini 'jumper cable' system if you install an isolator that has two bolts that attach the (+) cables
(not a piranha type/style unit, reason being they have the cables going direct into the epoxy body of the unit, check out the Rotronics link for a better idea)

LINK: Rotronics Electronic Isolator
Image Could Not Be FoundMaîneÿ . . .

AnswerID: 391598

Reply By: Mark & Jacqui - Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 at 22:47

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009 at 22:47

G'day Baldman,
I use a Redarc isolator, it has an override switch so I can pull in the auxiliary battery if the starting battery has a dummy spit. $85 from Ashdowns.

Cheers,
Mark

AnswerID: 391684