Accessory Electrical System

[CrazyMike]

I'm looking for ideas and advice on how to build an electrical system that will support a couple of electrical accessories (e.g. fridge/freezer, RTT lighting, charging ports) while the vehicle is OFF.

I've seen so many different ways of doing this but a search for an "auxiliary" "overland" + "electrical system" and other word combinations didn't bring much for me (very likely me not coming up with the correct phraseology -or- there's no specific thread out there for 5th gen 4Runners). I suspect all the systems that I've come across pertain to a specific accessory and not a general system.

My background is mechanical in nature but I can hold my own when building an electrical system. I'd like to tap into the knowledge here on T4R to make certain that I don't muck it up.

My general usage is to support the accessories while in camp, mostly only at night. I expect that the vehicle will be operated at least every other day that will recharge the battery(s).

Questions that I'd like to answer:

• Is a secondary battery necessary?
• How can I protect the vehicle battery from a low voltage situation if a secondary battery is not necessary?
• Should the distribution block be located in the rear of the vehicle? Or the front?
• How to switch the bus so that I can have the system energized when I want it energized (vehicle running or not)?
• What are some recommended components (e.g. Blue Sea)?
• Is there a system that already exists that I've just not come across? Or a system that I've just not recognized will meet my needs (e.g. sPOD)?

My goal is to build a system and do it right.

Any help, words of wisdom, examples, etc. is greatly appreciated.

 

[rigtec]

I'm looking for ideas and advice on how to build an electrical system that will support a couple of electrical accessories (e.g. fridge/freezer, RTT lighting, charging ports) while the vehicle is OFF.

I've seen so many different ways of doing this but a search for an "auxiliary" "overland" + "electrical system" and other word combinations didn't bring much for me (very likely me not coming up with the correct phraseology -or- there's no specific thread out there for 5th gen 4Runners). I suspect all the systems that I've come across pertain to a specific accessory and not a general system.

My background is mechanical in nature but I can hold my own when building an electrical system. I'd like to tap into the knowledge here on T4R to make certain that I don't muck it up.

My general usage is to support the accessories while in camp, mostly only at night. I expect that the vehicle will be operated at least every other day that will recharge the battery(s).

Questions that I'd like to answer:

• Is a secondary battery necessary?
• How can I protect the vehicle battery from a low voltage situation if a secondary battery is not necessary?
• Should the distribution block be located in the rear of the vehicle? Or the front?
• How to switch the bus so that I can have the system energized when I want it energized (vehicle running or not)?
• What are some recommended components (e.g. Blue Sea)?
• Is there a system that already exists that I've just not come across? Or a system that I've just not recognized will meet my needs (e.g. sPOD)?

My goal is to build a system and do it right.

Any help, words of wisdom, examples, etc. is greatly appreciated.

Hi CrazyMike,

Try putting 'Dual battery set-up' in the search field... Plenty guys & gals here in this community that have successfully achieved this very effective power supply method!

rig, Cheers!

 

[CrazyMike]

Hi CrazyMike,

Try putting 'Dual battery set-up' in the search field... Plenty guys & gals here in this community that have successfully achieved this very effective power supply method!

rig, Cheers!

Thanks but I don't want a dual battery setup if it's not necessary. And a dual battery setup only takes care of one small portion of my need.

 

[Mindflex]

Thanks but I don't want a dual battery setup if it's not necessary. And a dual battery setup only takes care of one small portion of my need.

I am in the same boat as you. A deep cycle battery with a battery jumper may be enough for your needs.

I recommend posting on this thread. The title says dual battery but it talks about just using 1.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=222120

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[DannyLlama]

• Is a secondary battery necessary?
  No, a second battery is not necessary.. It's actually not really necessary unless you are running high power of long periods of time, such as a winch or if you run all lights on with car off. I struggled with this idea for a while and now only running on dec cycle AGM batter.
• How can I protect the vehicle battery from a low voltage situation if a secondary battery is not necessary?
  Buy the right stuff and monitor your batteries readings.
  
• Should the distribution block be located in the rear of the vehicle? Or the front?
  That may depend on the fuse box or "distribution block you are installing. Though, [MENTION=55815]Okki[/MENTION] made a really great suggestion, one in the front and one in the back for rear lights/fridge etc..
  
• How to switch the bus so that I can have the system energized when I want it energized (vehicle running or not)?
  Not sure about this one.
• What are some recommended components (e.g. Blue Sea)?
  I highly recommend bussman.. There's a guy, Erik , who makes these and they are solid.. PM for contact.. Or i can post here for others
• Is there a system that already exists that I've just not come across? Or a system that I've just not recognized will meet my needs (e.g. sPOD)?
  Read my dual battery thread

That's direct answers to your questions.
I did a ton of research and talked to a lot of people and at the end of the day, for now anyway... I just went with a deep cycle group 31 Battery.. I went with a North star after reading phenomenal reviews all over the web, not just here on T4R.org
There was a recent group buy for that battery, if you e-mail the vendor ( I can give you his email) you should be able to get close to the group buy price. Or check with your local dealer. Solid batteries with a 4, 5 year warranty!!!

I'm running 2 6" rigid in front, rear eBay lights and a fridge so far... Not much but it does the job. Most of the accessories will run on the alternator anyway, you have to account for what's running when truck is off. If you go with an ARB, they are bullet proof on power.

There's many options out there though.. [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] has a great right up on dual battery on the cheap, which is the route I was going in initially.. his setup requires battery maintenance, something I didn't want to do. Having two batteries is nice, and good insurance policy but not absolutely necessary. A good AGM battery with lithium self starter pack should do for most cases.

Did a quick search and here's a good thread about the bushman fuse/relay box... You can fit one right behind the battery.. and you can fin another in the rear, where the spare kit is located

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/64033-Bussman-Fuse-Relay-Box-Kit-from-WagonGear

Hope this helps..

 

[RiDE]

I just went through this same thought process this year. Here is what i ended up doing to my rig.

Odyssey 31m marine battery
blue sea 12 circuit fuse box in engine bay
blue sea 6 circuit fuse box 'constant 12v/hot' in the rear
1 blue sea dual usb outlet connected to rear blue sea fuse box- charge phone/camera/ipad
1 blue sea 12v acc outlet connected to rear blue sea fuse box- for fridge
Renogy 100w solar briefcase to keep battery topped off while out at camp
NOCO lithium jump starter for juse in case
CTEK 7002 to recharge/maintain the battery at home when needed

Simple, effective and reliable.

Reasons i didnt go with a dual battery setup:
1. Did not want to complicate the electrical system more than it already is.
2. Needed the space for my ARB dual compressor/ 1g tank.
3. Cost

 

[rigtec]

Thanks but I don't want a dual battery setup if it's not necessary. And a dual battery setup only takes care of one small portion of my need.

Well then, the other conventional alternative would be to incorporate a 'High output' Alternator in your electrical system: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/172070-4runner-alternator-upgrade-gen-5-a.html This thread covers a lot of information on the subject of charging systems! I hope you will find this thread helpful, Rgds!

rig

 

[Keith_PDX]

Lots of good information and recommendations here.

For me the deciding factor was I ALWAYS want my car to start when I am out in the middle of no-where. Unless you have a voltage monitoring relay between your house battery (larger or not) and your accessory panel then you have the chance of your battery going dead. If I stayed with one battery, I would ensure I have a charged lithium jump starter in the car if I was far away from pavement.

I chose the dual battery path. I run a fridge and plenty of accessory LED's that I use while in camp.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/201689-2015-dual-battery-installation.html
Enspired by this: Dual Battery Install Complete! | IH8MUD Forum

Good luck with whichever you chose.

 

[CrazyMike]

Well then, the other conventional alternative would be to incorporate a 'High output' Alternator in your electrical system: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/172070-4runner-alternator-upgrade-gen-5-a.html This thread covers a lot of information on the subject of charging systems! I hope you will find this thread helpful, Rgds!

rig

Alternators only supply power when the vehicle is running but my intended usage is for a vehicle that is OFF. This will be a good option if I were to only run the vehicle for short stints between using the accessories while the vehicle was off. My intended use is to have a running vehicle for hours while touring/overlanding/etc and only drawing power while in camp.

 

[Titanpat57]

If you want to check out my build thread I have some info in there pertinant to what you're asking...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/213730-2016-roam-4runner-build.html

 

[CrazyMike]

If you want to check out my build thread I have some info in there pertinant to what you're asking...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/213730-2016-roam-4runner-build.html

Your setup is very close to what I'm looking for. I think the only thing missing that I'm looking for is the ability to use a switch to deenergize the rear fuse block. Is that even necessary? (It doesn't appear so based on your setup.)

Also, is this the circuit breaker that you used?

 

[Titanpat57]

Your setup is very close to what I'm looking for. I think the only thing missing that I'm looking for is the ability to use a switch to deenergize the rear fuse block. Is that even necessary? (It doesn't appear so based on your setup.)

Also, is this the circuit breaker that you used?

Yep...that's the breaker, and could be your "kill switch" as well. If you wanted to go really crazy...I'm guessing you could use a relay some how, some way with a switch to kill it...but that setup is past my pay grade.

If you have any questions let me know.