Dual Battery Systems

[D4Dazz Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dazz]

Just after some tips and things to look out for when buying a dual battery system. I have quotes on 2 systems, the first being the ARB system and the second a Piranha one. Both seem comparable in price and Piranha seem to have a very good name in 4wd circles down here in Melbourne. Both are around $1500 mark with extra cigarette and engel sockets in the back of the Prado.

Would love to other views.


Cheers
Dazz

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

I have Piranha system

No issues very good people to deal with.

I preferred to deal with them because you can actually speak to them directly and know your dealing with professionals.

[D4Dazz Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dazz]

Thanks Pradodiesel, that was the feeling I had talking to them. Just out of curiosity what battery are you running in your system?

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

Running standard Toyota main battery and Exide second battery they supplied
I think it's a deep cycle battery non serviceable sealed unit.

Never had an issue in 2 years

Personally I'm not a fan of ARB and I try to deal with company's like Piranha and Black widow etc
They are family owned businesses and normally they look after you because they have pride in their company.

[Woody22 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Woody22]

Morning, can someone please tell me if I need a dcdc element in a 2013 diesel prado. ive been told i can get up to 20amp per hour with the dcdc and 5amps per hour without the element?

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

Morning, can someone please tell me if I need a dcdc element in a 2013 diesel prado. ive been told i can get up to 20amp per hour with the dcdc and 5amps per hour without the element?

Pre 2013 Prado's charge at a low rate, this can be overcome by using a booster diode, I would check your charging voltage though as I believe Toyota are raising the charge voltage in some of the latest models.

Another option is to fit a standard isolator and a booster diode (if required), if you team this with an Optima type battery, youll get around 65 useable amp hours and around a 1 hour recharge time.

Rather than keeping this thread going, if you do a search you'll find there is already a vast amount of info on dual battery setups on this site.

Cheers,

Leigh