The 150 series Dual Battery Guide

[Pearl150]

Oh yeah, I got this now. After January in the High Country and finding the Waeco Fridge turning off when the battery voltage got to 11.4 volts, I finally have worked out that you need capacity not just voltage to sustain a fridge if your camped for a while. Three days of rain at the MCAV event in Mitta Mitta sore me starting the car and charging the battery for an hour or so twice a day. Now I am happy with my dual battery set up. Modify the ABR sidewinder tray and moved it across by 10mm to the RHS by slotting out the mounting holes with a drill and 7/32 file. Installed a Exide 92Ah deep cycle battery that is 260mm across. (got a Yellow Top D34 for sale if anyone interested) Redarc BCDC charger and some fuses to suit. 30amps in and 40 amps out. 20 amp inline for the fridge circuit. Got to be happy with that.
Changed the anderson outlet at the rear of the car to run off the dual battery solenoid, and have the 2nd battery charge and isolate off the car battery with the ignition. Sweet. Cheers mmm beer

[Fred63]

From the description, it sounds like the DC DC charger is mounted under the bonnet. So there is still voltage drop in the cable run to the rear of the Prado.

Correct
I ran 6mm SQ from Main Batt to DC DC charger under bonnet
10 MM sq to the rear

[maulbeagle]

aux battery is also under the bonnet, so wiring to rear is only for outlets. 6mm will probably be fine for just a couple of usb chargers etc.
depends on what you want to run from the outlets ?

I agree PM LeighW - the 6mm cable comment would be because they're pushing the dc-dc charger. Ren's post above seems much a more reasonable and common approach.

From the description, it sounds like the DC DC charger is mounted under the bonnet. So there is still voltage drop in the cable run to the rear of the Prado.

[120D4D]

You don't need a DC DC charger, just one of LeighW's diodes. Also 6mm cable is undersized. 6B&S is the recommended wire gauge to run to the rear of the Prado.

I agree PM LeighW - the 6mm cable comment would be because they're pushing the dc-dc charger. Ren's post above seems much a more reasonable and common approach.

[REN470]

Hi everybody, just got a quote for dual battery setup from TJM Nailsworth in Adelaide. Battery tray, 100ah battery, Redarc DC DC charger and run 6mm cable to rear with outlets. $1550 ... I was gob smacked. Plus the dude said that Redarc sb12 shouldn't be used only the DC DC Redarc charger, which was about $550. Said some stuff about the Prado alternator dropping voltage when it gets hot to 13 volts and the 2nd battery will never fully charge. Confused.. Why would Redarc make all the other gear if you don't need it. After reading this thread I thought I was well informed. Appreciate any comments/advice regarding a standard dual battery configuration and cost for parts & install from reputable 4wd places.

Hi,


Ive done a SBi12 install after taking Leigh W advice and it works a treat. I only use it for day trips to our lake and road trips to keep drinks and food cool but for me its money well spent. Battery is always charged (both of them) and have had no issues in the last 8 months. I was also quoted over 1k by ARB but this cost me $700 for battery, tray, SBi12 kit, good cable to the back and all the odds and sods I needed.

You don't need a DC DC charger, just one of LeighW's diodes. Also 6mm cable is undersized. 6B&S is the recommended wire gauge to run to the rear of the Prado.

[Piratepete]

Hi everybody, just got a quote for dual battery setup from TJM Nailsworth in Adelaide. Battery tray, 100ah battery, Redarc DC DC charger and run 6mm cable to rear with outlets. $1550 ... I was gob smacked. Plus the dude said that Redarc sb12 shouldn't be used only the DC DC Redarc charger, which was about $550. Said some stuff about the Prado alternator dropping voltage when it gets hot to 13 volts and the 2nd battery will never fully charge. Confused.. Why would Redarc make all the other gear if you don't need it. After reading this thread I thought I was well informed. Appreciate any comments/advice regarding a standard dual battery configuration and cost for parts & install from reputable 4wd places.

[fido666]

Where did you hear that? He was very prompt with my orders, but then I didn't have to RMA anything.

From people I know that have tried to return faulty items to him.

[AK7]

Looks interesting but I hear the seller is a real PITA to deal with if you have issues.

Where did you hear that? He was very prompt with my orders, but then I didn't have to RMA anything.

[fido666]

They are around $200 on good old ebay at the moment.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PROGRAMMA...item46002668ad

Looks interesting but I hear the seller is a real PITA to deal with if you have issues. I would be looking at a programmable one if I ever swap out my isolator, the current ABR Sidewinder one I have is set for too low a cut out.

[Hollywood]

Plenty of extra functions. It looks a good unit . I have the SB12D which is $150 & the best function is the bi-directional charging as I have the input for my portable solar panel connected to my aux battery which will bring my aux and camper batteries up to charge before it opens to charge my crank battery. No moving parts (no solenoid )=1 less thing to break , easy to connect as not polarity conscious . 150amp better than 100 as batteries will be paralleled up if winching cause motor will be running. Not sure what you would use n/c contacts for but the option is there . Also if you wanted to choose your own cut in/out voltage you can. Thermal cutout protection is a good idea & 2 yr warranty. Seems the goods , suppose look at what you require but for $50 more than the SB12D I would consider it if I was to start again
Cheers Matt

Interestingly the Redarc unit draws the power for the manual override switch from the Aux battery, presumably because your start battery is dead hence the need to use the manual override...


However the Intervolt unit seems to draw it's power for the override switch from the start battery.


So how will it work if the start battery is dead?

[kenny5000]

After putting further thought into my dual battery system, what I am now thinking triple battery system. I am thinking about putting a Optima D34 under the bonnet with a larger 100 Ah AGM battery in parallel (from the D34) in the back. This will allow me to not have to worry about running the car for a few days at a time. I was going to use a SBI12D or maybe the Intervolt isolator that I have posted above (post 399) and would like the provision for solar once funds allow for the purchase of panels. I would like to easily be able to remove the battery in the rear when not needed, however still be able to run my fridge from the battery under the bonnet on day trips. Any issue that I may run into with this type of set up??? Cheers.

[Mattfunk 120]

The 150 series Dual Battery Guide

Plenty of extra functions. It looks a good unit . I have the SB12D which is $150 & the best function is the bi-directional charging as I have the input for my portable solar panel connected to my aux battery which will bring my aux and camper batteries up to charge before it opens to charge my crank battery. No moving parts (no solenoid )=1 less thing to break , easy to connect as not polarity conscious . 150amp better than 100 as batteries will be paralleled up if winching cause motor will be running. Not sure what you would use n/c contacts for but the option is there . Also if you wanted to choose your own cut in/out voltage you can. Thermal cutout protection is a good idea & 2 yr warranty. Seems the goods , suppose look at what you require but for $50 more than the SB12D I would consider it if I was to start again
Cheers Matt

[kenny5000]

How much?

They are around $200 on good old ebay at the moment.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PROGRAMMA...item46002668ad

As I am no electrical guru so Im wondering if they provide any significant advantage over any other isolator given they are twice the price of say a Redarc SBI12.