Dual batteries?

[Kmvreter]

I've searched but can't find it here.
Just starting to research doing this. There is alot of room on the passenger side in the engine bay on the V6. Has anyone installed a dual battery setup in the 4th Gen T4R? Any pics out there or hints. I want to install the 2nd battery as a secondary to power future accessories. Is there a controller to stop draining the main when using the secondary?

 

[04Runnah]

I've seen it done on a tacoma. Here's the link, hope it helps...

http://www.bajataco.com/dualbatts/dualbatteries01.html

 

[Kmvreter]

04Runnah,
Thanks for the link.

Also finding other info with a Google search but was hoping someone here had already done it. Turns out there are various ways it can be done depending on individual needs.

 

[Gromulus]

4th Gen Dual Battery Installation?

Just keeping Kmvreter's thread alive. I am also interested in a dual battery set-up for my 04 Runner. After removing my Trojan 12v deep cyle battery from my camper and replacing with a dual 6V set-up (for prolonged boondocking camping excursions), I would like to put this nearly-new battery to good use.

Having read Bajataco's (this guy is amazing!) install write-up and a few others, it seems that the Xantrex Pathmaker and Hellroaring units are good bets for an isolator/combiner. It appears that there is room under the hood (passenger side by the firewall) for at least a Group 24 battery.

Just hoping someone has either done or is contemplating this in the near future.

 

[Biff]

Goodtimes, has a dual bat. system. Send him a PM he'll help you out.

 

[Good Times]

I have this exact setup. I purchased everything that Roger Brown needed and it works great!

The only difference was that I purchased a red and yellow top optima batteries. I now have dual yellow though.

http://4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/DualBatteries.shtml

good luck!

 

[Kmvreter]

Gromulus,
Thanks for keeping this alive.

I have this exact setup. I purchased everything that Roger Brown needed and it works great!

The only difference was that I purchased a red and yellow top optima batteries. I now have dual yellow though.

http://4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/DualBatteries.shtml

good luck!

Good Times,
Any pics of the install (engine bay, guages, etc...)?

 

[Good Times]

Gromulus,
Thanks for keeping this alive.



Good Times,
Any pics of the install (engine bay, guages, etc...)?

Sorry no photos as I don't have the truck on me right now. I'll be getting it back in a few weeks when it comes out of the shop so you're gonna have to wait.

Visually, it just looks like a 2nd battery sitting where the stock battery was but on the other side. I did have to relocate my power steering resevoir though (now it's sitting in front of the radiator).

The painless wiring was mounting on the driver side fender (right by the motor fuse box.

No guages or anything like that. It's a simple painless wiring setup that just has a switch and 2 led's which are located where the dash is to the left of the steering (think vsc button area).

Hope that helps for now.

 

[Expat]

Subscribing to thread to see photos. Looking for a write-up...good on ya Lance:

 

[Kmvreter]

Just got back from Ohio. Was there anyways so I picked up an Optima D31T battery (yellow top; starting and deep cycle) at Summit Racing for U$175 + tax (U$185 or ~ C$217.) Local price is C$328 + tax = 377 so I saved ~ 160. Now to find time to do the install. Pics to follow.

 

[otterball21]

I plan to get this done, I'm planning to use one of the nice battery isolators..... Rockford Fosgate makes one and Orion makes a battery isolator also. These isolators helps charge the original battery and when it's fully charged it switches and charges the second battery....

 

[Kmvreter]

I plan to get this done, I'm planning to use one of the nice battery isolators..... Rockford Fosgate makes one and Orion makes a battery isolator also. These isolators helps charge the original battery and when it's fully charged it switches and charges the second battery....

otter,
Got any part numbers or website links? I'm leaning to use a SurePower unit.

The one thing I am still trying to get a definitive answer about: What is the '04 V6 alternator amperage? That way I get the correct size isolator.

 

[otterball21]

Here is the rockford Fosgate one:

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/ezcompare/accessories/Accessories_fullSize.asp?key=197

I don't think orion makes the battery isolator anymore. It did the same thing the rockford Fosgate isolator did though. The surepowers are all over ebay if you are really looking for one.


Jack

 

[kglueck]

I could'a swore that someone found it in the repair manual....ah here it is... bulldog-yota says 100A: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10167&highlight=alternator+amp*

no reference where it was found in the manual, tho.

 

[Kmvreter]

Getting all the odds and ends to put it together soon. Ordered a Hellroaring isolator/combiner (due to arrive soon.)

I did have to relocate my power steering resevoir though (now it's sitting in front of the radiator).

Good Times,
Any details on how you did this, specifically on extending the hoses? Did you use hose connectors and additional lengths or did you run entirely new hoses from the lower fittings? How did you mount the reservoir?

Thanks.

 

[Good Times]

Good Times,
Any details on how you did this, specifically on extending the hoses? Did you use hose connectors and additional lengths or did you run entirely new hoses from the lower fittings? How did you mount the reservoir?

Thanks.

2 new hoses. Both were purchased at a local auto shop (kraegen's or autozone.. don't remember).

They're now located in front of the radiator and attached by the center support beam (for the radiator). I used to have a fixed mount setup but currently just have it zip tied as I'm trying to figure out a new hard mount for it.

The oil cooler is attached the same way.

Everything has become temp for now until I have more time to make a perm mount.

The old setup was mounted directly to my aftermarket front bumper but I've since sold that so I had to use the temp mount.

No photos

 

[Kmvreter]

Good Times,
Thanks for the info.
I'll put it out front or up behind the air intake box (there is lots of room there on the V6.)
Forgot to ask: do you remember the ID of the 2 hoses (they are different)?

 

[Good Times]

Good Times,
Thanks for the info.
I'll put it out front or up behind the air intake box (there is lots of room there on the V6.)
Forgot to ask: do you remember the ID of the 2 hoses (they are different)?

The return and send hoses are different diameters. The return hose is the standard hose that you can get when you pick up an oil cooler. I believe it's 3/4-1". The sender hose is about double the size 1.5-2".

The larger hose was actually harder to find. I ended up just taking the hose off my 4runner and looking for the one with the right size. It was pretty hard to find that I was about to go to some of those truck stop shops as they got em all.

Make sure you get the right rated hose lines as you don't want a cheap one that'll just fall apart. the oil gets pretty hot so make sure it's a high enough hrated hose.

I won't be able to tell you the measurements of the hoses but will get that info for ya next week when I get back in town.

Thanks!

 

[otterball21]

I'd put it in front of the Airbox.... Gives the truck a better balance because of the two batteries

 

[Techenigma]

I'd put it in front of the Airbox.... Gives the truck a better balance because of the two batteries

Behind the airbox on the V8 you'll block the oil dipstick, or at least make it very hard to get to... in front of you'll have to relocate some items.... I've been trying to figure the best way to do it myself.