Dual Battery

4flyer

4flyer

Member
Hey gang. I am about to bite the bullet on getting a dual battery setup here in the next week. I have done my research and thinking about getting the IBS or National Luna kits. I was wondering: those of you with dual battery systems, what is your setup like? Also: Where did you get the bracket/holder for the two batteries?
Thanks
 
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4flyer said:
Hey gang. I am about to bite the bullet on getting a dual battery setup here in the next week. I have done my research and thinking about getting the IBS or National Luna kits. I was wondering: those of you with dual battery systems, what is your setup like? Also: Where did you get the bracket/holder for the two batteries?
Thanks
Click to expand...

What's the purpose for the dual battery?
 
kolelt said:
What's the purpose for the dual battery?
Click to expand...

I am pretty big into ham radio and plan on having multiple radios in the 4runner. I also want to be able to run them without the vehicle running. One of my radios has a crossband repeat function which I'd like to uses while hiking. That means that I'll use the radio without the engine running. I also plan on getting lights, a winch, and an inverter eventually. I'd like to use all these things without having to worry about a dead battery.
 
4flyer said:
I am pretty big into ham radio and plan on having multiple radios in the 4runner. I also want to be able to run them without the vehicle running. One of my radios has a crossband repeat function which I'd like to uses while hiking. That means that I'll use the radio without the engine running. I also plan on getting lights, a winch, and an inverter eventually. I'd like to use all these things without having to worry about a dead battery.
Click to expand...

Bingo!!!!! I also want the solar panel charging ability and be able to run stuff without worrying about a dead battery. Starter batteries are different, they aren't meant to be used and drained. They are meant to give out a lot of current to start your car, never losing much capacity. You want a second "deep cycle" battery to run stuff off of.
 
A battery isolator solenoid is actually fairly cheap. You can also go with a diode for a little bit more. I prefer a solenoid because they are way less likely to fail then a diode. I had a dual battery set up on my 88 Toyo van for many many years. I used to live out of it for months on end ad having a marine battery to watch movies on my comp or just play tunes was a huge plus.

You will want to upgrade the alt for sure. Asking the stock alt to charge not only the starting battery but also a marine battery is a sure fire recipe for a dead alt. Alts aren't made to put out full field for very long. If your marine is low it will full field the alt leading to premature failure.

Since getting the 4runner I've been thinking of adding a marine battery. The problem is where to put it. So I had the idea of running 2 6V deep cycles in series thereby producing 12V. I think they may be small enough to fit in a custom bumper. I'm not sure if anyone here has a similar set up but I'll be looking into it for sure.
 
theesotericone said:
A battery isolator solenoid is actually fairly cheap. You can also go with a diode for a little bit more. I prefer a solenoid because they are way less likely to fail then a diode. I had a dual battery set up on my 88 Toyo van for many many years. I used to live out of it for months on end ad having a marine battery to watch movies on my comp or just play tunes was a huge plus.

You will want to upgrade the alt for sure. Asking the stock alt to charge not only the starting battery but also a marine battery is a sure fire recipe for a dead alt. Alts aren't made to put out full field for very long. If your marine is low it will full field the alt leading to premature failure.

Since getting the 4runner I've been thinking of adding a marine battery. The problem is where to put it. So I had the idea of running 2 6V deep cycles in series thereby producing 12V. I think they may be small enough to fit in a custom bumper. I'm not sure if anyone here has a similar set up but I'll be looking into it for sure.
Click to expand...


Good info. Think I should do the Big 3, get a high amp alternator, THEN do the dual battery?
 
I don't know your experience level, or what you have in way of tools, but assuming your experience is minimal either of those two "kits" will work. Personally I wouldn't use anything like that. I don't like LED indicators, I prefer a voltmeter. Also I would size my cables to my needs, and I'd use a marine type Automatic Charge Relay. Like this.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/7622/ML-ACR_Automatic_Charging_Relay_with_Manual_Control_-_12V_DC_500A

Here is another wiring diagram, you should google the $&it out of these diagrams so you can see what others have done. Not just here but in RV, Marine, and Solar applications so you can really get an idea what will work best for you.

https://www.google.com/search?q=battery+isolator+diagram&espv=2&tbm=isch&imgil=3__bHOD56EINWM%253A%253BeE9gFZ4viGgPHM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pacificnorthwestspine.com%25252Ftag%25252Fhow-does-a-battery-isolator-work%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=3__bHOD56EINWM%253A%252CeE9gFZ4viGgPHM%252C_&usg=__IsprIibZLsB9cByziMuwiCBT7Kg%3D&biw=1920&bih=942&ved=0ahUKEwjinai_9KvPAhUC82MKHabZBbgQyjcINw&ei=sX3oV6KBEILmjwOms5fACw#imgrc=XHrES1KBXS6WnM%3A

A good ACR, a voltmeter on a switch, and some good cables and you'll be golden. I've been planning on designing a bracket for two Odyssey batteries that won't crack in the inner fender, but it is still in my head:cry2: cuz I ain't got the money due to too many other projects. :playball:

I'm not a ham operator, but my friends and I switched to VHF radios from CB's last year, we ain't ever going back!

:doh:
 
Here is what I was thinking. This diagram is based off the dual battery kit from IBS. I want to get a kit because I like the display that the kits have and I don't mind spending money on the setup as it'll be the basis of my radio setup and I plan on having this rig for another 10 years. This diagram does not have the big 3 on it either as this can be done independent of that mod. What do y'all think? The ACC means accessories like radios, dash cams, lights, etc. A winch would be directly wired to the aux battery with the two batteries binded together during use. I will use a bluesea fuse block. The positive cable from a accessory like a ham radio would be wired to the fuse block and the ground for said accessory will be grounded to a ground buss or common ground (chassis). What do y'all think?
 

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4flyer said:
Here is what I was thinking. This diagram is based off the dual battery kit from IBS. I want to get a kit because I like the display that the kits have and I don't mind spending money on the setup as it'll be the basis of my radio setup and I plan on having this rig for another 10 years. This diagram does not have the big 3 on it either as this can be done independent of that mod. What do y'all think? The ACC means accessories like radios, dash cams, lights, etc. A winch would be directly wired to the aux battery with the two batteries binded together during use. I will use a bluesea fuse block. The positive cable from a accessory like a ham radio would be wired to the fuse block and the ground for said accessory will be grounded to a ground buss or common ground (chassis). What do y'all think?
Click to expand...

That diagram is essentially what you should do. One caveat, and I'll admit at least partial ignorance because although I have wired up many electric winches I use a hydraulic winch on my truck, I would wire it to the main battery. Here is my reasoning.

Your engine will be running so there is no upside to using the auxillary battery, and it is more likely to be slightly discharged at any given time.

In the event of a charge relay failure, you can still winch from a battery getting recharged.

Now here is an alternative you might consider. If the batteries are close enough together, connect the Positive to the Aux battery, and the Negative to the Main battery. This will force all current flow through BOTH batteries as if they were one. Essentially no voltage gain but no uneven voltage drop either. I do something similar to auxiliary battery banks on a motorhome in order to ensure equal charging when using more than one.
 
Well I bit the bullet today. I ordered the IBS dual battery kit from Sierra Expeditions, a dual battery holder from Columbia Overland, and a bluesea fuse block and other accessories from amazon. Should be here in the next 2 weeks. After the dual battery install, it will be off to doing a PROPER ham radio install (drilling holes in roofs).
 
4flyer said:
Well I bit the bullet today. I ordered the IBS dual battery kit from Sierra Expeditions, a dual battery holder from Columbia Overland, and a bluesea fuse block and other accessories from amazon. Should be here in the next 2 weeks. After the dual battery install, it will be off to doing a PROPER ham radio install (drilling holes in roofs).
Click to expand...

Yea that kit isn't cheap
 
4flyer said:
True. I think it'll be worth it though as it is of good quality and I plan on having this being the basis of my radio, lights, etc for a long time

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I am following your lead and will likely do the same (the IBS, not the radios). I am trying to restore / upgrade my 4runner cheaply but I think this is one area where I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars to do it right. I don't want the worry of battery problems in the middle of nowhere and I like what the IBS does. Keep us posted!
 
4flyer said:
I am pretty big into ham radio and plan on having multiple radios in the 4runner. I also want to be able to run them without the vehicle running. One of my radios has a crossband repeat function which I'd like to uses while hiking. That means that I'll use the radio without the engine running. I also plan on getting lights, a winch, and an inverter eventually. I'd like to use all these things without having to worry about a dead battery.
Click to expand...

Your just the man I need to chat with about this .... I am looking into setting up a ham radio setup in my rig...
 
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