Dual Battery Systems

[mercury6]

Have the option of a store special kit for $630, installed including Century Deep Cycle Battery.

Or TJM IBS system, for $824, without installation or battery.

Is it worth the extra money to go to the TJM system or will the store special be sufficient?

Will be running, UHF, CB, Winch, Lights, possibly a fridge.

[bazooked]

why dont ya do it ur self? go to allanco if ya got 1 over ur way of the world, buy all the bits ya need and do it ur self, its not that hard and u will save a packet.

[chimpboy]

My gosh, that's a lot of money. Unless you are really short on confidence in your DIY skills, you should definitely consider doing it yourself.

What sort of vehicle?

[mercury6]

not reallyh short on DIY confidence skills, just a litlle unsure of exactly what I need to buy.

Can someone tell me what I need?

[chimpboy]

You need a battery tray, a battery, and a dual battery control unit, plus cable.

For many models ARB can supply a tray for the 2nd battery that bolts in and looks OEM, not cheap but probably worth it. I made my own but it's not as good as a bought one, at least as far as looks go.

Then you need a controller, eg the redarc one is very popular (http://www.redarc.com.au/smart-start.htm) but there are many others just as good. Prices vary, allow $150 with cable.

Then you simply mount the controller on the firewall, and run cable from battery 1 to the controller, and then on from the controller to battery 2.

It's just as easy as that!

[TRobbo]

Any competant auto elec could also do it (whether you source the parts or they do) for you for a fraction of the cost. It only becomes expensive when it becomes a 4wd 'accessory' from a 4wd shop.

I belive you also get good instructions with the redarc isolator.

[drivesafe]

Hi mercury6, there are a number of different ways you can do an installation depending on what type of dual battery controller you get, just substitute the SC40 controller for what ever one you plan to use and the diagram bellow will give you some idea of the layout and what you need to buy in the way of cable and fitting.

It’s a pretty easy job to do yourself and, as you said, you just need the gear. You need the correct battery tray for your make of vehicle and the right battery to fit your installation but the rest you can do yourself.

If you are installing the second battery in the engine bay then I would recommend you use 6B&S cable (7.9mm2) as this is large enough to carry the power you need and will cause minimal voltage drop, but there is another advantage to using 6B&S. This is the largest cable size that will fit into ordinary Yellow Crimp Terminals so it makes it both cheap and easy to get and fit the terminals.

You can usually find a good earth in the engine bay to run a cable from the second battery’s negative terminal. If you are not sure, then just run a cable from the cranking battery’s neg terminal to the second battery’s neg terminal.

Anything else you need to know, just ask.

[mercury6]

Just picked this up, looks like it i could be a good setup.

comes with 3m worth of cables, lugs, terminals, etc

has inputs for solar panels in the future.

http://www.piranhaoffroad.com.au/produc ... DBE180.htm

[Bowhunter]

Does that piranha thingy replace the SC40 thingy in the above diagram or does it include the 30amp circuit breaker as well?

cheers,

Luke

[gu4800]

Does that piranha thingy replace the SC40 thingy in the above diagram or does it include the 30amp circuit breaker as well?

cheers,

Luke

Yes. Electronically controlled overload protection.

[gu4800]

Hi mercury6, there are a number of different ways you can do an installation depending on what type of dual battery controller you get, just substitute the SC40 controller for what ever one you plan to use and the diagram bellow will give you some idea of the layout and what you need to buy in the way of cable and fitting.

The wires running off that thing don't look overly large? (looked it up on the net)

If you run the aux power into the unit (small red on your diagram), then the small grey to the circuit breaker and then on the second battery, overall that wiring is fairly small.

Is it large enough to run sufficient charge?

Most of the other units I have seen run the same size cable as normal battery cable to the second battery? Why is the SC40 wiring so small.

Not having a go - just curious.

[GUte]

Punch in dual battery system on Ebay and check out the units as an other option.

[drivesafe]

Hi gu4800, the diagram is just supplied as an example, that’s why no specific details were posted.

The SC40 is a 40 amp device and as such, the short lengths of 6mm auto wire are quite suitable. All other long lengths of cable to and from the batteries should be thicker to reduce voltage drop.

Cheers

[My8612HT]

Just picked this up, looks like it i could be a good setup.

comes with 3m worth of cables, lugs, terminals, etc

has inputs for solar panels in the future.

http://www.piranhaoffroad.com.au/produc ... DBE180.htm

This is the setup I run on my car and it was a piece of cake to fit!
The only suggestion I offer is no to use the battery crimps supplied but to use quality battery terminals instead!

[Bowhunter]

So what's it worth?

[Buckshot]

I bought a redarc.Made the battery tray myself out of checker plate from a scrap metal joint.Cost $10.Looks trick.Most expensive piece was the Exide Orbital.Nice battery though.Very happy with it.

[Bowhunter]

So the checker plate cost you $10...how much for the redarc?

cheers mate,

Luke 8)

[Emo]

I bought a Redarc off ebay, picked up an ARB tray and got the bloke at Battery World Wantirna to fit it for me. His rates were very reasonable and he's a pretty good bloke. Drives a comp Rangie 2 door.

[RoldIT]

I bought a Redarc off ebay, picked up an ARB tray and got the bloke at Battery World Wantirna to fit it for me. His rates were very reasonable and he's a pretty good bloke. Drives a comp Rangie 2 door.

Yep, That'd be Chris. Have dealt with him a number of times. Top bloke, no bullshit.

[bazooked]

i can get redarcs for about the 120 mak here in the west, dont no what u guys are paying over there?, plus i bought a colehearsy for the zook a few months ago for 100 biggies 200 amp 1 with silver contacts, so i think i did ok,.

[Bowhunter]

Thanks for the info mate, 'tis much appreciated!

[Buckshot]

So the checker plate cost you $10...how much for the redarc?

cheers mate,

Luke 8)

Sorry didn't see it for a few days.Redarc was $105 delivered off ebay if I remember correctly.Wiring was about $30 including battery clamps.

[Bowhunter]

No worries mate

Thanks for the prices.

Luke

[MQSWBUTE]

i recon those redarc thingie bobs are great
simple and stupid i belive is the best way