Why would I need a full size starting battery? - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

JohnMc · 05-04-2020, 03:40 PM

I've pondered a dual battery setup on mine as well. After seeing the packaging issues with two full sized batteries in my wife's '96 (a red and a yellow Optima) I was pondering doing something similar for mine - a full sized deep cycle in the stock position for the house battery, and a cute little AGM stuck wherever it is easy for the start battery. And an automatic isolator to keep them from doing weird things like overcharging.

Kanoe · 05-04-2020, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyB66

Find a way to dual charge it via engine and solar and I'd be all set... Since that battery should be dead, I'm going to remove it from the MINI and use it for mock-up purposes. Thanks for chiming-in....

Interesting thought there.

You could use an ignition switched relay to connect the second battery when the engine is running (standard procedure here). You could use a second relay wired as normally closed that would open with the same ignition source and disconnect your solar while the engine is running. Should be easy, although I am not positive that there would be any need to disconnect the solar at all...

TonyB66 · 05-04-2020, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanoe

Interesting thought there.

You could use an ignition switched relay to connect the second battery when the engine is running (standard procedure here). You could use a second relay wired as normally closed that would open with the same ignition source and disconnect your solar while the engine is running. Should be easy, although I am not positive that there would be any need to disconnect the solar at all...

Appreciate the thoughts. I'll likely draw-up something, if the fitment is doable. That said, I crawled through the MINI to find the battery...

It's about 6x3x6 alright...

Registered .16 volts, dead alright. I'll remove that rear panel at some point soon and see what's possible...

EDIT/ADD: This battery, the ETX14 is less than 80 bucks:

Amazon.com: Deka Sports Power ETX14 Battery: Automotive

12 Ah, which looks to be fine for my application, a fridge that averages 1Ah on DC. It's job would be to get through the night, until I'm back on solar or driving...

tx_shooter · 05-05-2020, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyB66

Appreciate the thoughts. I'll likely draw-up something, if the fitment is doable. That said, I crawled through the MINI to find the battery...

.................

Registered .16 volts, dead alright. I'll remove that rear panel at some point soon and see what's possible...

EDIT/ADD: This battery, the ETX14 is less than 80 bucks:

Amazon.com: Deka Sports Power ETX14 Battery: Automotive

12 Ah, which looks to be fine for my application, a fridge that averages 1Ah on DC. It's job would be to get through the night, until I'm back on solar or driving...

Those specs line up with a battery my motorcycle uses. I ran a motorcycle battery for a few years as my 2nd/ house battery without any issues. It did get my Dometic fridge through the night in cooler weather without any issues. Trips during the summer did not fare as well.

As for my 2nd battery; here is a quick pic for everyone. I came home from Death Valley right as the covid lockdown started so I have not had a chance to really go through my rig and get it back in proper shape. I need to get after that.

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