2016 Prado 2.6 deisel Dual Batteries

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

Read the main forum on this and want to simplify for the latest Prado model with 2.8 diesel dual battery and alternator issues..Had some feedback from Leigh.

So far my understanding is that these new models have fixed voltage output of 13.6 v. Plus they may no longer have Alt-s fuse (like earlier models)- So you can't boost the alternators output?? As a result a DCDC charger may be required to be fitted. Hopefully I have interpreted this correcty.

Can we confirm if the above is the case and if so any recommendations re DCDC charger brand and amps, battery type and battery brackets??

Would like to hear all experiences of those who have fitted them to the new model and experts views on this..

The Toyota dealer I am getting the new vehicle through in is offering to fit at the dealership a dual battery system and wiring for dual Engel plugs for about 1k. They are using the ARB bracket, NS70X Ultra High Perf battery, redarc controller(I will be asking more about this).

I need a dual system to run 2 new engel fridges (fridge mode only) for camping. Plus an Anderson plug to the rear for charging my camper trailer battery when required. I had the same setup in my 120 series Prado and it was great but this smart alternator issue is giving me the Sh...s.

Happy to hear thoughts and advice on this as well.

Happy new year people

Trueblue.

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

Read the main forum on this and want to simplify for the latest Prado model with 2.8 diesel dual battery and alternator issues..Had some feedback from Leigh.

So far my understanding is that these new models have fixed voltage output of 13.6 v. Plus they may no longer have Alt-s fuse (like earlier models)- So you can't boost the alternators output?? As a result a DCDC charger may be required to be fitted. Hopefully I have interpreted this correcty.

Can we confirm if the above is the case and if so any recommendations re DCDC charger brand and amps, battery type and battery brackets??

Would like to hear all experiences of those who have fitted them to the new model and experts views on this..

The Toyota dealer I am getting the new vehicle through in is offering to fit at the dealership a dual battery system and wiring for dual Engel plugs for about 1k. They are using the ARB bracket, NS70X Ultra High Perf battery, redarc controller(I will be asking more about this).

I need a dual system to run 2 new engel fridges (fridge mode only) for camping. Plus an Anderson plug to the rear for charging my camper trailer battery when required. I had the same setup in my 120 series Prado and it was great but this smart alternator issue is giving me the Sh...s.

Happy to hear thoughts and advice on this as well.

Happy new year people

Trueblue.

i have ordered a new Prado, due in Feb-Mar and am very interested in this topic.
we had a 2010 GXL, and installed a voltage booster diode, (got 14.4 volts) and Installed a second battery (power sonic gel cell battery), under the bonnet ...worked very well.
And it lasted 4.5 years, and was still going strong when we sold the car. Secobd battery got us home when the factory start battery eventually failed after 4 years and 200,000km....however, I won't be putting a battery under the bonnet again, whilst it's convenient, and temperature was never an issue for the gel cell (we had it wrapped in a AbR sidewinder foil battery wrap, although temperature never really got too bad (we measured temp on the battery with a remote thermometer)..but unfortunately the inner guard cracked, we did lots of corrugations, but had to get the inner guard repaired and it cracked again so got it fixed again....so next time the battery is going inside (removeable so we can take the battery out and lian it to our adult children when they borrow the car fridge and solar panels...so given that it seems that a voltage booster diode may not be an option for us with the new prado ...so a dcdc charger, with ability to connect solar panels when at camp will be our plan...but red arc or ctek ...or...whatever else is available...is the question..time to do homework...
mounting the second battery under the bonnet is convenient, but if t cracks the inner guard it's not good..so we won't mount a second battery under the bonnet again in a prado...

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

The design of the guards has been changed since 2014 update so guard cracking shouldn't be an issue with dual batteries.

I have the patch kit which has solved my problem with cracked guards

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

Thanks Krypto...given that the output of the alternator is so low I'll still use a dcdc charger, and given I want to be able to remove a battery fairly easily, I think I'll still mount the battery in a box in the rear with a dcdc charger...that's the plan so far anyway. But it will be interesting to see if the redesign of the inner guards has fixed the cracking problem or not.

[Mild7 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mild7]

Trueblue,

As I just wrote in the other 2.8 1GD dual battery thread, I bolted my Auxillary Battery directly to the car and used a plastic battery tray so it is essentially the same setup as the factory fitted starter battery. I have not had any problems so far, it has been in for around 3 months.

If you want a tray, ARB will have their 2.8L tray available in late Feb. At least that's what I was told a few days ago. Other brands may have something available now, not sure. Either way I think I will stick to my current setup.

Mike.

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

I just remembered when I seen another post about the Fortuner.
when we had a look at one I noticed the spare spot for an AUX battery.
I mentioned this to the sales person.
the reply was yes that is for a second battery and there is a genuine wiring kit available.
maybe it would suit the new Prado as well.

just a thought.
might need to extend cables etc..
or maybe it was BS

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

I just remembered when I seen another post about the Fortuner.
when we had a look at one I noticed the spare spot for an AUX battery.
I mentioned this to the sales person.
the reply was yes that is for a second battery and there is a genuine wiring kit available.
maybe it would suit the new Prado as well.

just a thought.
might need to extend cables etc..
or maybe it was BS

That would prob be a wiring kit for twin batts as opposed to dual batts. The twin crank set-up would be for the colder climates though my brothers Nav has two small crankers..

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

...so given that it seems that a voltage booster diode may not be an option for us with the new prado ...so a dcdc charger, with ability to connect solar panels when at camp will be our plan...but red arc or ctek is the question..time to do homework...

How is the research going? I looked at the C-Tek 250S, it's good value but you supposedly also need the C-Tek Smart Pass for vehicles with low-voltage alternators (like the Prado), which effectively doubles the cost. Redarc have a specific low voltage version and a good reputation, except that you need solar panels that put out at least 17.5V to get the MPPT working.

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

I have the redarc 1220 (non solar) and its also not the LV version either but I find it works just fine on the 2.8. I asked about the LV version and got the impression that's for only select models with very low/variable alternator outputs...

Still holding out for LeighW to start selling boosters for the 2.8 though, hint, hint Leigh!

[hicksg Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close hicksg]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone successfully installed a basic VSR on the new 2.8 Prados? Or is the general consensus to go with the DCDC changers?

Thanks

[Lski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lski]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone successfully installed a basic VSR on the new 2.8 Prados? Or is the general consensus to go with the DCDC changers?

Thanks

Yep, all good. My experience with the isolator on the 2.8 is here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...Moreton-Island

[hicksg Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close hicksg]

Thanks Lski, I have ordered a Redarc SBI12.

Cheers

[Mitchos Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mitchos]

Yep, all good. My experience with the isolator on the 2.8 is here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...Moreton-Island

Hey Lski, any update on how your isolator has performed over time? Have you done anymore trips and would you say that the alternator is charging the auxiliary adequately?

[Lski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lski]

Hey Lski, any update on how your isolator has performed over time? Have you done anymore trips and would you say that the alternator is charging the auxiliary adequately?

No issues, have only been on one other camping trip and she was all good - kept the Waeco and beer cold!

I don't think the isolator fully charges the aux batt so I have a 5 stage charger also and give my aux battery a deep charge every now and then.