Dual Battery Query?

[Rawfreak Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rawfreak]

My 2003 120 which I have just bought seems to have dual batteries fitted as standard. Anyone have any ideas on this? As I have no idea if they are standard or if they were fitted by the previous owner. If its possible that they are standard any ideas on how they are connected, would they both run flat if something was left on? etc etc

I can post a pic if I you need any more info?

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Hi Rawfreak,

Deffinitely not standard (in Oz), post some pics. There will most likley be a controller / isolator.....redarc, pirahana, IBS, or something similar.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Hi Rawfreak,
The Twin Battery system according to my maintenace manual is optional in European vehicles, unfortunately I have not found the second battery arrangement in any of the electrical circuit diagrams or even a description in the Starting and Charging sections just generic terminology on how to check Alt output and battery states etc.
Try tracking the +Ve and -Ve leads the +Ve lead on each battery would most likely terminate at a load sharing/isolating/Charging device (battery isolator such as Redarc) I note that the leads from the second Left hand side Battery( as you face the front of the vehicle) run over the radiator so it should be easy.
The batteries may even be parralled permanently to cope with the freezing cold weather starting
If you are not sure send some pics of any little black boxes to which the +Ve leads are connected and I can sus it out for you.

[xvprado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xvprado]

_________________
Matt- Go KEVIN '07 !!!!!!!!

This is now a political forum ? :?

[Rawfreak Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rawfreak]

In the interest of not creating 400 threads on the same subject....

As requested in the past, would it be possible for members to please search the site for info, before posting requests. Dual battery's have been extensively covered already on PradoPoint.

Regards to all members 8)

Yup appreciate that, I did look through every previous post, and did not get the exact info I was looking for.

My dual system appears to be standard had not noted any posts enquiring about that, if you would like to point me in the right direction that would be great!

Thanks

[Rawfreak Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rawfreak]

Clifton your a legend thanks man, will take some pics in the next few days and post em.

[JordiGPS Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JordiGPS]

Maybe I can shed some light on this issue.

In Europe, in some countries you can get LCs with a dual battery installation. It is rahter a simple one: two identical batteries connected in parallel, with no solenoid or whaever circuit breaker. This obviously means that they would both run flat if something was left on.

I did my dual battery installation on my own, after some investigation about solenoids. My choice was REDARC, and satisfaction is 100%, to the point that after posting the installation in a Spanish forum similar to this, dozens of LC chose the same solution.

With this solenoid (others are suitable too) you'll keep the primary battery from running flat.

I hope that helps!

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Top Stuff Jordi

Yep ... the Redarc is (IMHO) the best system around for a bullet proof dual battery installation.

Rawfreak, there's plenty of Redarc installs on PP already if you want to have a look at one.

Cheers
Chippy