My Dual Battery Install

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

I've found PP a great resource for dual battery info and pictures, so now that I've finally done mine, I wanted to return the favour and post info and pics of my own dual battery setup.

Components:
ARB Battery Tray
Redarc SBI12 Isolator
Optima D34 AGM Battery (55Ah)
LeighW's Voltage Boosting Diode (Leigh's website - HKBElect)
2x100A Manual Reset Circuit Breaker
2B&S (~32mm²) Cable
Brass Battery Clamps
Cable Lugs
Aluminium Angle Section
12 Beers

I cut and drilled a little plate of steel to shift the aircon pipe across about 15mm. The battery fitted in without doing that, but it was too tight for my liking...

The cable lugs were crimped using a hexagonal crimper that I hired from the local electrical wholesaler. I picked it up on a Friday and returned it on Monday. They charged me for one day. Much, much cheaper than buying one

It all cost me more money than an autoleccy would have done it for, but I learnt a lot from it and I'm happy with the quality of the install. That's worth more to me than the alternative.

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

I also mounted and installed an ARB compressor thanks to AMTS' Compressor Bracket.

Components:
AMTS Compressor Bracket Mk.II (link)
ARB CKMA12 Compressor
40A Manual Reset Circuit Breaker
8B&S cable (~8mm²)
6 Beers

I decided to do my own wiring rather than use the rats nest that ARB call a compressor wiring loom, and used Nitto fittings to suit the compressed air equipment I already own. The bracket is also capable of mounting a pre-fuel filter. Haven't gotten that far yet. Gonna talk to a diesel mechanic mate of mine and see what he's got to say about those. I also plan to go to Enzed or Pirtek and have them make up a ~450mm hose to move the connector forward towards the fuse box. Easier to access.


EDIT #1: Fridge & USB Power to 3rd Row
I've just run the new fridge cable down the driver's side. I worked from the back to the front. Pulled the third row cup holder out, pulled out the front and rear plastic door sills (cloth on flat screwdriver, poke and lift where the holes are). The handles next to the middle row seats hold the grey panel in, pop that off and remove a little bit of the door seal and then jam a plastic tongue or cable snake down there towards the door sill. Once you get it down to the sill, getting it under the handle and out the cup holder is a breeze, and the rest of the cable run to the battery is very easy.

I would have liked the sockets further left, but it wasn't possible due to some aircon ducting. The seats can go all the way back if there are USB devices plugged in. The accessory plug can still be used with the seat in the upright position. I might get a right-angle adaptor just in case the need ever arises. I like having the fridge on the driver's side, but if I have someone in the second row, I'll move it to the other side. Under the hood is a blade fuse on those wires. I plan on putting another manual reset breaker on that circuit too.


EDIT #2: Dash switches
I also added a couple of Air On Board Switches to the dash for the isolator override and to turn the USB/Fridge outlets on and off. If I had my money back, I would have chosen green ones to match the rest of the switches/knobs in the car. I had to add a (fused) relay for the outlets, which mounted nicely under the hood just under the bonnet gas struts (a couple of threaded holes there), just near the cable entry. That allowed me to get rid of the ugly blade fuse housing on the battery and move the fuse onto the relay box. I'll be adding a compressor switch to the dash.

Components:
12B&S (3.3mm²) Cable
Narva Heavy Duty Accessory Sockets
2x AOB Switches
Fused Relay
10A Blade Fuse
6 Beers


EDIT #3: Dual Battery Volt Meter
I've added a pic of my dual battery volt meter installed. This only turns on when I turn my my fridge on. I wired a negative lead from each battery (using each side of the Redarc Isolator makes it easy) and joined the two positive legs together and ran them to the Aux battery via a new relay triggered by the fridge switch. Now it leaves that last blank for when I relocate the compressor switch. Dual Battery Volt Meter thread

Components:
16B&S (1.25mm²) Cable
Dual Battery Volt Meter by SolidKit
Relay
2 Beers

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Nice install AK7

[BlakMoth Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close BlakMoth]

Nice work mate. Love the 12 beers + 6 beers. Was that over two days?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

Nice install AK7

Thanks Leigh Your instructions on the diode were spot on. The thing works a treat Do you have a forum page or website I can add next to where I listed your diode?

Nice work mate. Love the 12 beers + 6 beers. Was that over two days?

Thanks man. Yeah a weekend job. Took my time to do it. I'd been reading, browsing and contemplating different ways of doing it for a lot longer though.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Always a bit nervy bending that double skin a/c pipe, good to hear you had no problems.

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Nice work AK, I like the way you don't work by the hour but by the beer.

[Auscanclan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auscanclan]

Very nice work AK, very impressed. I like the compressor set up with the bracket from AMTS.
Wish I had the nerve to do that kind of work. Our Prado is the only car so can't take a chance on stuffing it up

Auscanclan

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

Always a bit nervy bending that double skin a/c pipe, good to hear you had no problems.

Sure is. I think it's a case of knowing that it's fragile and using your better judgement.

Very nice work AK, very impressed. I like the compressor set up with the bracket from AMTS.
Wish I had the nerve to do that kind of work. Our Prado is the only car so can't take a chance on stuffing it up

Thanks - I think I mounted the compressor upside-down to the way AMTS had intended, but it seemed more logical to have the air intake at the top (possibly cleaner air) and all the wires hidden away. A bit tighter doing it that way... My Prado is also my special toy. I couldn't bring myself to do a snorkel or bullbar install... My ex calls it "the other blonde", although I haven't laid hands on the grease nipples yet...

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

Exceptionally neat job that reeks of top quality workmanship. Well done and also, the photos are great.

I did notice though, a spot of dirt in the engine bay, in one of your photos.

I'd point it out to you but cannot find it now ...

[Guest Close Guest]

Thanks - I think I mounted the compressor upside-down to the way AMTS had intended, but it seemed more logical to have the air intake at the top (possibly cleaner air) and all the wires hidden away.

Interesting take on mounting it upside down. How is the access to plug in and remove the air hose?

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

I did notice though, a spot of dirt in the engine bay, in one of your photos.

I'd point it out to you but cannot find it now ...

Shhhh! lol. Thanks for the feedback.

Interesting take on mounting it upside down. How is the access to plug in and remove the air hose?

I used a couple of right-angles out of the compressor and then a 'T' piece for both the pressure switch and the Nitto socket. You can just see it in the pics, behind the switch. Not happy with that location. Easy to plug in, but when it's hot unplugging can be a bit fun. After my holiday, I'll look at getting that short air hose made up and mounting the socket elsewhere.

How do you find the brackets go for heat transfer? It's a lot of heat right next to the fuel filter... I haven't had enough time to properly check temps, but I can report my findings when I do.

[Guest Close Guest]

Seems to be ok. The compressor is only working hard when pumping tyres and your bonnet would be up. I leave the bonnet up while I pack up to let the compressor cool a bit more.

Just make sure you wear gloves when disconnecting the air hose.

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

Just make sure you wear gloves when disconnecting the air hose.

I push the locking ring back with a flat blade screwdriver probably seems hotter than it really is. Like getting into a shower at 55°C and thinking you'll come out looking like a cooked lobster...

I really like the bracket Very snug, well made.

Have you got a website you want me to link to in my post?

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

A surprise with your configuration is the 55AH Optima. Its only 20kg in weight - is that why you used that battery?

Does your system charge the main battery first, and then switch to charging your battery?

Could you use the main battery for power is it was a dual battery?

Can you utilise the spare (Optima) battery to either start, or assist starting?

I am considering battery issues at the moment ...