Thumper Versus Dual Batteries Under Bonnet

Ray

I've tried both in Pajero and 79 series and suggest you fit dual batteries under bonnet.

In over 8 years I never needed to use thumper as "stand alone".

My dual batteries were both N70ZZ's and 12 months ago changed aux to deep cylce to suit 50L fridge BIG mistake.

N70 would run fridge for say 3+ days and the new deep cycle (2 x N70ZZ price) lasts only 2 days after 12 months use,,, not economical in my book

suggest stick with dual N70ZZ's as they fit and for me have the grunt

unless of course you have a special application

cheers Baz

Ray
I have just finished outfitting myself with a Fullriver 120ah AGM to go inside one of Derek's Flyer's. Cost me about $730 all up. Gives me the benefit of a larger battery (2 year warranty), wired through an isolator with good quality wiring, totally portable and with similar outlets to the Thumper. Also left me with a couple of hundred bucks change over the Thumper. To remove the battery temporarily I simply have to undo one Anderson Plug. To move the unit to a different vehicle I have to remove 2 wires from the starting battery and push them back through the firewall.
I don't see the value in the Thumper.

teege

Thanks Guys I appreciate your comments Im leaning towards the Dual battery setup now but I will see if theres any more comments before I go ahead
Tks Ray

Ray,

In my previous vehicle, I had a dual battery system fitted, controlled by a Piranha DBE150S Controller.
The batteries I tried were a wet cell deep cycle, then an Exide Orbital, both mounted under the bonnet and both destroyed by running too flat, too often. (My fault)

I couldn't fit an AGM battery in the cradle and they are also very heavy for a reasonable size one, so I put in another wet cell deep cycle battery.
This auxiliary battery ran the fridge, etc. while travelling and I ended up protecting the battery with a low voltage cutout device.

But I too liked the idea of a portable battery system and so bought a 75 A/h Thumper so I could remove the fridge and place in the camper or tent annex and also run the camp lighting.
This proved to be very successful and the Thumper could be charged by the vehicle alternator while driving via the supplied in-car charging kit and supported by a solar panel at camp.

All good.

Then I bought a new vehicle and as it is a dual cab diesel, the new auxiliary battery system I chose was a Sidewinder Flyer battery system, containing a 100 A/h Remco AGM battery and installed in the tub. This I also use predominantly to run the fridge while travelling but I still have the Thumper with charging kit installed to achieve basically the same setup as I had previously.

When you think portable, you actually need to be able to move it.
Although the Flyer is sort of portable, with the 100 A/h AGM battery it is very heavy and so stays in the back of the cab as an auxiliary battery.

Likewise the 105 A/h Thumper is also quite heavy. A mate of mine has one but he generally leaves his in the back of his Pajero along with his fridge.

The 75 A/h Thumper has proven to be a most flexible unit and I can recommend it for the use you have defined.
Like you, I prefer the flexibility of having a portable battery system I can remove from the vehicle and place centrally at the campsite.
The Thumper with its in-car charging kit (mine is a 20 amp version) still performs as a dual battery system while in the car but is easily removable and portable to take wherever you like.

Bill.

Why not get a 120 ah AGM Deep Cycle battery ($300) and stick it into a battery box ($20) and add a bit of cable ($40) and ammeter ($40) and battery cutoff device ($100 ?) and you have a portable 120 ah AGM Battery that will charge off the Alternator or Solar :)
You could have 200 PLUS Amp Hours for <$700

Maîneÿ . . .

I run with a waeco 36ah battery and a 48ah thumper. I leave one battery at the campsite powering the fridge while I charge the other in the car while doing day trips. I then swap batteries each night. this size battery is reasily movable, and gives me enough power for a day or two. This suits my needs, though I would probably get a slightly larger battery if either needs replacing.

Graham

Ray,

I have had a 48 amp Thumber for some years, recently had it repacked to 60amp then added a 60 amp booster pack - 120 amp hr. I have a redarc charging kit.

I have been pretty happy with the pack and its performance to date. The above was considerably cheaper than putting a battery under the bonnet.

Not saying that I would never do it, but already had the Thumber and it suites me.

Horses for course and you need to get what suites your needs.


Link for the SA company who produces them is the Home of 12 volt.

I'm considering the 105 thumper and 120w solar package.
I dont really want to wire in the charging set up, as it will mostly be used in a company vehicle.

Is it best too leave the thumpers on a trickle charger when not in use?
I was thinking along the lines of a ctek, just not sure what size?

Hi Z I would leave it on a trickle charge I bought an Oz Charge unit a few months back and its got capability for all batteries and a Max of 8 amps seems to do the job nicely and was fairly cheap too around $120 from memory thanks everyone for your comments they are appreciated Cheers Ray

Hi Russ when you had your unit repacked was the booster pack attached to the Repacked unit or are they separate? I,ve had one of the original Waeco Battery Packs which looks like a small thumper to power the fridge in the back of the vehicle it still works fine but is not big enough now to handle a trip thru the centre etc but it would be a handy spare or backup
Cheers Ray

I got a Thumper primarily because there wasn't room under the bonnet for another battery. Otherwise I'd probably prefer to have it mounted properly under the bonnet rather than loose in the back of the car.