Dual batteries

[zig]

Who has them in their fourth gens? How did you do it/package? I really want to get this done before winter hits and I start hitting the trails.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Yep, I installed mine last weekend in a 2004 V8 sport. It was a piece of cake thanks to the write up Bulldog did over on the 120 forum.

Here's a link to his write up. I'll post a couple pics of my install shortly.

http://www.toyota120.com/html/4runner_dual_batteries.html

 

[Tucson T4R]

Here are the pics from my install. I wired my winch into the aux battery but other than that, followed Bulldog's write up.

Battery location:

Separator on driver's side:

Battery cable along firewall:

 

[Kmvreter]

Used a big Optima battery and Hellroaring isolator for my V6. It's in a writeup linked in my electrical mods in the DIY thread linked in my signature below.

 

[kscott]

I just installed my 2nd battery last week. I bought an Optima yellow top and an isolator from Painless Products. I got some good help and ideas from Lance ("Good Times" on this board) and his website:
http://www.chaosedition.com/modifications/electrical.asp

The link on his site pointed me to another site which was quite helpful:
http://4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/DualBatteries.shtml

Both of those are the basis for my install.

I installed the new battery tray, the battery, the new battery ground, and the wiring and mount for the isolator. The only thing left is wiring the alternator to isolator, isolator to each battery, and re-routing my computer/amp power to the new battery. I'm having all that done today by professionals since I really didn't want to scre it up.

Here are some pics:

Optima installed (yellow top):

Isolator mount:

Switch wiring (includes the right hand switch and red/green lights... switch on left is for computer)

I'll take some more pics when I get my car back today.

Thanks for the help kvm and lance!

- O

 

[zig]

Bulldog, or anyone else with the same setup, does your isolator combine both batteries when the main is low, or is it totally done by a switch in the cab?

 

[fourwd1]

A typical isolator does nothing more than isolate one from the other. Charge current from the alternator goes into both, but each is isolated from the other.

A battery switch can isolate or combine as needed.

 

[Tucson T4R]

The Battery separator we used from Sure Power Industries (Model 1314-200) has electronics that monitor the main battery voltage. The primary purpose is to protect the main battery. It automatically connects the two batteries if the main battery reaches 13.3V which indicates the charging system is working and the main battery is healthy. If the drain on the batteries drops the voltage below 12.8 volts, the separator automaticaly disconects the aux battery to allow the main battery to recharge.

The system does have a manual switch that can be used to connect the two batteries even if the main is low to allow a self jump. Normaly you would leave this switch off unless you needed the self jump option.

Hope this helps. There are obviously several seperator options on the market. You just have to decide what's best for your aplication and go for it.

 

[airbur]

Here's my setup.... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=26105&highlight=dual+batteries

 

[the_josh]

did you guys buy the pieces seperatey of buy the national luna kit?

and how much does this mod end up costing not including the battery?

 

[airbur]

did you guys buy the pieces seperatey of buy the national luna kit?

and how much does this mod end up costing not including the battery?

Hi,

I bought all my parts separately since I couldn't find what I wanted in a kit...especially the Battery Separator and associated cabling. Cost depends on the parts you choose. Without the battery, mine was around $200 but most of that was the separator.