dual battery system navara d40

After many headaches!
I have found that Standard dual battery setups do not work on the latest Navara due to the fact that the alternator rate of charge is set by the computer and can fluctuate anywhere between 11.9v to 14.9v constantly.
this means you are unable to connect the starting battery and aux battery together as in other vehicles.
solution is a 12v to 12v battery charger available from Redarc code BCDC1220 has been designed to allow for variable volts and works from ignition.
I had many issues with my navara as had wired it up for dual battery, even took it back to nissan several times as voltage is so erratic but this seems to be the trend for newer vehicles, so hope this is of help to navara owners
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Reply By: wr450tractor - Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 10:49

Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 10:49
yep the redarc is the way to go with a lot of the newer vehicles
AnswerID: 481243

Reply By: GT Campers - Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 11:12

Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 11:12
soemthing odd going on there... there are plenty of D40s and R51? Pathies with dual batteries
AnswerID: 481246

Follow Up By: streamlite - Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 11:34

Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 11:34
Yep it does seem odd and it took me ages to find out what the problem was Friends 2010 navara has regulator and would work with dual battery setup, but later pathies and navara voltage regulated by computer so voltage to variable for a standard dual setup
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FollowupID: 756619

Reply By: GT Campers - Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 13:11

Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 13:11
... when you say voltage was 'too variable' what do you mean? Unless I am missing something here, if an alt can charge one battery, it can charge two or more. The variable voltage is simply the alternator being commanded to free-wheel which is an emissions/fuel consumption strategy
AnswerID: 481254

Follow Up By: streamlite - Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 18:05

Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 18:05
Yes the new setup is to do with fuel economy, and alt will only charge battery up to 12.2/3v at best with variable voltages which causes all sorts of problems for dual battery setups and standard 12v to 12v chargers.
I have agm when fully charged is 12.9v - 13v which means that connection between battery's is a real problem as would end up with 40% battery level only.
I have seen demonstration from Redarc rep as they have (i think) the only product just released that will charge aux battery's no matter what input voltage is, can be as low as 9v and system will still work as it switches on with ignition.
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FollowupID: 756647

Reply By: GT Campers - Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 20:56

Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 at 20:56
yes Projecta, Redarc et al have 12V-12V chargers, they are intended for voltage boosting for remote house battery charging, doesn't explain (to me, anyway!) why the alternator:
a) won't charge a second battery, and
b) why you are seeing 11-ish V etc anywhere in the vehicle system
AnswerID: 481291

Follow Up By: Member - DEREK K - Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 09:00

Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 09:00
MY 2005 nav is putting out 14.2 volt but at second battery it was only about 11v so i checked the earth and that was the problem , now i get 13.9v at battery at rear of vechile
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FollowupID: 756681

Follow Up By: streamlite - Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 11:42

Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 11:42
Nissan have checked my 2011 Navara stx(now 8000 klm on clock) twice and have told me charging rates are normal.
So on start up normal voltage steady around 14v after 3-5mins driving voltage will drop to 12v/12.2v and then fluctuate, could stay at 12v/12.2 for 10 mins then increase to 14v then drop away almost as quick, so because of this normal systems won't work as they would be constantly switching off
A rep from redarc was at Adelaide show and demonstrated their new product that addressed this issue, that is will fully charge aux bat while input volts can be what ever.
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FollowupID: 756698

Follow Up By: LeighW - Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 20:15

Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 20:15
What does the vehicles voltage look like on the main fuse box, if the voltage
is vary that widely I woiuld have thought it would be causing other issues, ie lights
vary in brightness, radio, fan speeds etc?

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FollowupID: 756745

Follow Up By: GT Campers - Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 21:57

Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 21:57
yeah, although a low system voltage will cause the isolator to unhitch - as intended - your system voltage won't drop below the battery voltage. as Leigh hinted, are the lights etc flickering

Bit of an odd one!
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FollowupID: 756756

Reply By: Patrol22 - Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 19:56

Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 at 19:56
I have a 2008 D40 and was running a redarc isolator between it and the 2x110ah aux batteries I have in the storage system in the tub. Ran it like this for 2 years without a problem but recently installed a Projecta D20 and frankly I don't notice too much difference. Fitted the DC20 because it was given to me.
AnswerID: 481381

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