The 150 series Dual Battery Guide

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

[Piratepete Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

[Guest Close Guest]

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.

[REN470 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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.

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

[Guest Close Guest]

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.

[maulbeagle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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 ?

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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

[Pearl150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 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

[mullerwh Member Find all posts View Profile Close mullerwh]

I currenly have a BCDC charger in the cargo area to charge a agm deepcycle battery. Do the prado put enough out to charge a third battery in the front via an isolator?

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

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

Hi Pearl, could you clarify that.

Are you implying you are supplying 30 to the input of your DC/DC device and getting 40 amps out?

[Piratepete Member Find all posts View Profile Close Piratepete]

Thanks for all the info available on Pradopoint. I have just had my dual battery sytem installed. Supplied and fitted myself Optima D34 (tight fit but misses AC hose), ARB battery tray. Bought from Home of 12 volt in Adelaide Redarc SBI12 & power point plate $59 (12 volt battery gauge, dual sub, cig and engel plug for fridge). Don't like mucking with auto electrics so got local guys who've been around for 50 years to do the install. Connected batteries across the top of radiator as per Euro prados, wiring down lhs chassis rail to rear tow bar, fitted Anderson plug and everything else. Did a great job, neat, easy to see where everything is, total cost $1226. ARB quoted me $1500 with no Anderson plug. Got a Lightforce LED lightbar installed at same time, the 20 inch single row combi, fitted to OEM nudge bar. Don't need original high beam the light bar is so bright. All up, very happy. Couldn't have done it without info from Pradopoint.

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

Sorry to dig up this old chestnut bit seems more logical to ask in the original thread.

I have installed the ABR sidewinder isolator to charge an aux AGM battery in the cargo bay and note it gets fairly hot (think cup of coffee) when the car is turned off but the led is still on, Derek has confirmed this is normal but I am a little concerned. Has anyone used a heat sink or anything to dissipate this heat?

I have installed it on a stainless bracket with a 6mm Perspex plate that is fixed to the tie down strap for the main battery so it is sitting just above the battery.

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

Heat is wasted energy, I would buy another isolator.