RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

[AlanR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AlanR]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Leigh
My RanOx partner (Alan Ransley) is a keen amateur. He uses a RanOx is his Triton. It does not cause any interference problem with either his HF or UHF rigs.
Note that RanOx passes the relevant Australian emission standard, CSIPR 22 Class A.
Alan Oxenbould
for RanOx P/L
ABN 28 131 212 952

[AlanR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AlanR]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Leigh and others
I would certainly advise against modifying the Toyota alternator wiring. :!:
Toyota have their sophisticated algorithm to give the best life for your cranking battery. It does NOT take much capacity to start a modern diesel engine, typically much less than 10 AmpHour. So this can be readlily replaced within first few minutes of engine operation, when the alternator output is generally higher. This obviously varies with temperature and emission requirements. Also any glow-plug use may discharge significantly.

If you KEEP system voltage around 14V, you substantiually raise the probabilty of damage to your cranking and perhaps your auxiliary battery
You may discover (at your risk) that the modern ECU keeps track of system voltages and other faults in its non-volatile memory. When/If you have a "problem", remove your modification and proceed to Toyota, I would be reasonably confident that your warranty claim would be denied.

The correct solution is a multi-stage temperature compensated charger for that auxilliary battery. It will match the charging voltage and current to the requirements of THAT battery, without compromising any of your existing Toyota systems.

RanOx is (we think) an excellent solution to the problem.
So many of your colleagues agree, that we have temporarily run out of stock.

You are correct that RanOx will boost the voltage (to the level you select, up to 15.5V), but this is feeding the auxilliaries that you have fitted (eg fridge), NOT the lighting etc of your standard Toyota.

RanOx is a very reliable product. We have been successfully designing systems and products for the Australian market for over 40 years.
We do not take short-cuts and regard our product reliabilty and customer support as essential parts of our business
We can proudly say that we know of NO unhappy RanOx customers

We hope this (slightly biased) information assists you and others
Alan Oxenbould
for RanOx P/L
ABN 28 131 212 952

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

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Hello All,

I'd be very hesitant to muck around with the Alternator Wiring, unless you are damn sure you know what you are doing.
The Ranox unit I Installed and setup has been performing well so far with my 100amp/hr GEL Battery.
I monitor it most days, and so far it has performed faultlessy on weekend and short trips away.
I can't believe how quicky it returns charge to the Auxiliary battery, even after I drained it fairly well over 4 days recently. The setup of the Ranox is very flexible and relatively easy as Crammy suggests.
I must admit, it took me a little while to work out what would be best for what I wanted to achieve.
And that is really is hardest part of the install. Even my Electrical Engineer relative couldn't believe how simple the setup was with the Ranox when he perused the Guide that came with the unit. He mentioned a similiar system he helped install on his mates Hilux using a Rotronics product which turned out to be quite complex, even for an engineer.
The KISS methodolgy I say is the way to go, and I can say that I'm stoked with the Ranox.
Unfortunately for us keen 4WD folks, the D4D charging system doesn't cut the mustard.
And the way these modern hightech vehicles are these days you have to be a bit carefull with their wiring systems and computers.
I believe the Ranox design has taken this into account, yet still offers the installer flexibility with how the unit has to run to achieve the best charge possible for your auxilary batteries.

Regards

Happy Customer

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

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

It's got to count for something... Everyone that has bought one and posted on this forum sounds like they work for RanOx!

Well done fellas, you deserve it!

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

I must say that the customer service from Ranox is better than ANY other business of any type with which I have ever dealt.

Leachy

[Bankrupt Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bankrupt]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

I must say that the customer service from Ranox is better than ANY other business of any type with which I have ever dealt.

Leachy

I agree Leachy, I haven't been able to buy one yet (they're out of stock) and both Alan's have still been helpful.

This supply delay is going to stuff me right up...anyone got a spare one gathering dust??

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Hi Alan,

I have been looking and the logs you supplied showing the D4D battery voltage.
In one graph you show the battery voltage dropping to a minium of around 13.1V, and in the other 13.4V.

From your other comments I assume this readings were taken with a near fully charged battery in good condition?

My concern here would be that most vehicles will not have a fully charged battery or one in prime condition, it would therefore
be reasonable to assume that in the average D4D the terminal voltage would be somewhat below the readings shown, in fact
if we worsen the scenerio by turning on the aircon, wipers and headlights demistor, higher ambient temperature etc then the float voltage could
quite conceivably already be down to the point where little or no charge is going into the main battery. If we then add the 30A~ draw of
the Ranox to it the equasion the situation could quite possibly arise where the Ranox is actually discharging the main battery to charge the AUX?

I would assume that you have taken this into account and have set a suitable voltage input voltage level to cause the Ranox to drop out if this
situation should arise, therefore the worst would be no charge to the AUX? The only other way to prevent discharge of the main and charge the AUX in this
instance would be to isolate the main as at least one other system on the market does whilst charging the AUX, unfortunatley it does not combine
it with the Ranox unit.

I do like your units ability to charge different types of batteries but the underlying problem would still seem to be the D4D charging circuit and unless this is
addressed then I can still see people getting left high and dry with flat batteries.

Cheers
LeighW

[AlanR Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AlanR]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Leigh
I am not sure which plots you were viewing, I presume they are the ones posted earlier in this thread.
The 13V4 was the approximate minimum during a suburban trip during daylight in Melbourne. Cool, wet, windy day, about 18ºC. No particular electrical loads on vehicle. The cranking battery is nominally charged, by the Toyota system.

The 13V1 trip was whilst TOWING a tandem caravan, drawing 45 Amp (30 Amp maximum current to van RanOx, with 15 Amp absorption fridge). The van had been intentionally "flattened" to ensure maximum vehicle loading. This was a warm (28ºC day, with air-conditioner often on) . Thus this is probably the maximum electrical load that most Prado's would expect. This is during daylight hours, but so are most towing trips.

The ECU is intentionally controlling the voltage to suit its algorithm and under bonnet conditions, until the about 80 Amp Prado alternator limit.

RanOx won't take more than 30 Amp from any supply, so it certainly won't pull down the main battery.
In typical overload (or just idling, as seen on the 13V1 plots) situations, RanOx will stop charging (cranking battery < 12V8 for a while), until it rises above 13V3 again. It it doesn't, then the auxiliary won't receive any more charge.
RanOx will also reduce its current draw if its input voltage is low, but this is really only the case for caravans with minimum size cabling.
All our customers with D4D are VERY pleased with the difference RanOx has made. They certainly now arrive with "fully charged" auxilliary batteries, provided they have enough driving hours to make-up for any AmpHour draw the previous day/night.
If they have used 50 Ah, they would need at least 2 hour at our 25 Amp maximum battery current.

Alan Oxenbould
for RanOx P/L
ABN 28 131 212 952

[Bankrupt Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bankrupt]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

I took the punt today on delivery timing and ordered my unit.
I sure hope it arrives before the trip.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Hi all,

Just browsing the ABR Sidewinder site and discovered they have just released a similar unit to the
Ranox.

Specs are:

Current (A) 30

Input voltage (VDC) 12V DC (8 ~ 16V)

Output voltage (V)* FULLY ADJUSTABLE 13.2V - 14.8V

Output amps (A) 30


Performance Micro-processing Switching Mode

Efficiency
App. 90%

For battery type
Lead acid 12VDC versions (70 - 400 A/H)

AGM, Wet Cell, Gell Cell, VRLA, Calcium.

Bluk Charge

(VDC)
30 000 mA continuous up to 14.80V Adjustable

Equalizer Charge

(VDC)
14.2V to 14.6V - Adjustable

Floating Charge

(VDC)
13.2V to 13.8V - Adjustable

Output Protection
DC fuse

Operating Temperature
0 ~ 40°C (65°C Max)

Operating Humidity
20 ~ 85%

Operating Height (M)
0 ~ 3000

Dimensions (LxWxH) mm
250 x 115 x 70

Weight (kg)
1.90


* 12 ~ 14.8 Volts during charge cycles. Specifications subject to change without prior notice

$249.95 Ea New Updated Design

Not as flash as the ranox, no LCD and programming looks like it is via DIP switches but then half the price of
the Ranox. Maybe mister Ranox can come up with a no frills unit?

They also mention they will be releasing a new TRI isolator soon, implies that it might have a booster in built and
also that you can switch between, combine batteries. Also has a 1000A jump start capability and winch compatible.

If your thinking of going down this path might be worth waiting for the release.

Cheers

LeighW

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

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Looks ok, nice output at 30A and a reasonable price...

It doesn't have any load management or temp sensing, it's also larger than the RanOx... So half the price is probably pretty spot on. I bet it's also not AUSTRALIAN made! Also got to wonder about the reliability... I've had my RanOx apart and it's a very well put together piece of gear.

Anyway it's worth a look if you're on a budget that's for sure. Just be aware you'll have to setup your own load management system and there's no temp sensing for optimal charging and over/under temp protection. Oh and you probably won't be able to beat the after sales support from the RanOx boys.

Crammy

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Crammy,

Would prefer to support the Australian product, seems the ABR Sidewinder unit is made by Current Automation which is a South African company
They also make a 40A version of the unit.

Cheers

LeighW

[Bankrupt Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bankrupt]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Well I'm pleased to say that Alan and the 'other' Alan at RanOx have pulled through and my RanOx is currently in transit. I should recieve it early next week.

Absolutely stoked as we leave for the Pilbara and Kimberly on the Saturday.

Will post pics of the install once complete.

[09PradoGXL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 09PradoGXL]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Excellent!

I have 2 on order, so hopefully I will hear from them soon.

[Bankrupt Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bankrupt]

Re: RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

Excellent!

I have 2 on order, so hopefully I will hear from them soon.

Two!! - Nice work...speaking with Alan they look like receiving their stock late this week so I'd be guessing a few days after that.

Here's my wiring diagram if it's of any use to you and you want to get a head start. PM me if you need any info