Dual Batteries in a SR5 V6

[teotwaki]

There is a kit sold for FJs and I worked a deal on it, providing feedback as to the differences with 4Runners. The fenderwell mounting and battery position are a bit different for our 4Runners. The kit has all cables premade. Kit from Dirty Parts in Culver City, CA

Optima yellowtop battery mounted on fenderwell using battery tray made to fit, leveled by poly spacers underneath. Leaving room for the hood gas strut was critical.

Control solenoid (200A continuous) mounted to battery tray. Battery control is essentialy manual: Secondary battery in parallel only when ignition switch is on (battery isolated when ignition is off), secondary battery isolated from primary, or secondary battery can be forced in even if primary is dead (self jump start mode). See control switch pix below.

Control switch in cab. Dual color LED: Green when ignition switch on, red if battery is forced across primary battery.

Wiring to control switch through firewall. Main battery lead next to it.

Connection of secondary battery cable to primary battery

 

[teotwaki]

putting the second battery to use

tore apart the rear cargo area and ran two double 10 gauge wires from the secondary battery

through the right rear passenger doorsill cable tray heading up to the front engine firewall

two new outlets next to the factory outlet which is modified for constant power

I bought the house brand outlets at West Marine because you can get three on a bezel cheaper than you can buy three individually. Disassembly is a cinch.

Here is a spankin' new Engel freezer-fridge to test the outlets. In 36 hours of running at 38 degrees F the Optima has dropped from 12.5 volts to 12.2 volts

No more melted ice, soggy food, warm drinks, or melted ice-cream!!

 

[Bala de Plata]

Very, Very nice Jim. Great write up and pics. I would really like to check that out in person to see if I could make room with the v8 airbox on mine. :bigok:

 

[Bala de Plata]

Would you mind listing the aprox prices you paid for the componets, 2nd battery and fridge?