Where is best to mount my BCDC?

[dowser22 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dowser22]

Hi Guys,
I’m gradually upgrading my 150 GXL 2.8. Next is to install a Redarc DC-DC charger for an auxiliary battery box in the boot.

Having spent a hours reading these and other forums looking at whether to go the DC-DC route (or cheaper options), now it’s down to: do I mount the charger in the engine bay or the back of the car?

Lots of advice saying “mount close to the auxiliary battery” but all the advice on where to physically mount it is about engine bays! I’m inclined to put it in the engine bay and use heavy gauge cable to the rear of the car and the Anderson plug to the battery box?

Has anyone installed in the rear? Send me photos or advice/experience?
d22

[Guest Close Guest]

Next to the battery is the best spot. The whole idea is to reduce voltage drop. But you can do that with proper size wiring and no DC-DC charger provided that the alternator is outputting a healthy voltage.

[dowser22 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dowser22]

I’m informed that, yes, you can use an isolator, but it won’t charge an AGM to full charge over the long term and longer drives. Many reasons for this that I won’t repeat but I’m going for the charger after all!

[Black 120 GX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Black 120 GX]

Hi Dowser22,

Redarc make a bracket to mount their chargers behind the grill. I used a Ctek and made my own bracket similar to Redarc. The size of the Toyota emblem on the grill gives it good protection.

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

Behind the grill. Redarc or Kaon would be my choice.
Had a kaon bracket on my 120 before i relocated battery to the boot

[andylo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close andylo]

doweser22 if you are fitting your aux battery box in the boot then why not install the BCDC charger on the battery box itself?

I have done it and it works well for me.

[dowser22 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dowser22]

Thanks, I thought about that but the DC-DC has 5-6 cables hanging off it and it would get messy! I like being able to take it out for household use too. I think it will go behind the grill and nice fat cables to the rear.

[randog78 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close randog78]

I'd got with the bracket behind the grille now, but back when I installed mine I thought $70+ was a ripoff for a piece of aluminium (I still do, but would just pay up now). I mounted it on top of the fuse box instead, ran the cables along the back edge of the engine bay and it works perfectly fine. Never overheated or anything and battery is topped up all the time.