Dual battery setup for 2.8 1GD

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

... I need a moment ... :cry:

Hi again ICB and it’s not as bad as you may think.

The fix can be replacing the thinner 8B&S with 6B&S.

Or a cheaper fix, which will give you better current carrying capacity, and something you may be able to do yourself.

Simply run another length of 8B&S cable in parallel with the existing cable.

Just follow the existing cable and you will then have 15.8mm2 cabling, which is actually better then running a new single 6B&S ( 13.5mm2 ) cable.

[HutHeavy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close HutHeavy]

http://www.rpc.com.au/pdf/REDARC_iso...e_vehicles.pdf

have a read through this, might solve a few issues.....

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

Hi HutHeavy and sorry mate but that article ( pulp fiction ) is nothing more than grossly misleading advertising hype.

Take the first line, QUOTE “It is well known that the Redarc BCDC In-Vehicle Battery Charger is the best solution to charge auxiliary battery banks to 100% state of charge while on the move.” END QUOTE.

This is completely the opposite of reality.

If you have a BANK of auxiliary batteries and they are in a medium to low state when you start your days drive, then there is no way that even a 40 amp DC/DC device could compete with how an alternator could recharge the batteries while driving.

That statement is pure bollox and is deliberately intended to deceive unsuspecting people into thinking their alternator can’t charge batteries when in reality, your alternator, even one with variable voltage operation, will do a far better job than one of those toys can do.

And HutHeavy, if you do some basic math you will quickly realise that the statements made in that ADVERTISEMENT, are fictional.

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

I have a question if anyone can help..

I have recently installed an SBI12 into my 1GD 150 and everything worked well. Main voltage stays above 13.6 while engine running, AUX battery would happily charge and disconnect as it should. Ecu Controlled Alternator doesn't seem to be an issue for me just yet, however I am still keen to boost voltage by way of a diode or similar if Leigh can work something out. By the way Leigh, did you get my pic of the Comp Plate that I emailed you?

Now it seems that the SBI12 has a problem. It wont go red and bring the AUX into the charge circuit, even with the Main Battery charging steadily at 13.9v. I even ran a compressor off the AUX (with engine running, main batt still at 13.9) to see if the SBI12 would close and charge the AUX when under load. The AUX got as low as 12.0v and still the SBI12 would not close. I stopped there to avoid over draining the AUX.

Engine running and ARB compressor running off AUX:



However when I introduce the override wire to the AUX + terminal of the SBI12, the light turns red with an audible clunk (not click), and will happily stay red and both AUX and Main get the 13.9v charge for as long as the engine is running (which was only running for around 5 minutes while I was testing this). Then when the engine is switched off, the SBI12 red light will turn off and isolate immediately.

Redarc say to take it to an autoelec. Unfortunately in my experience, and in my area, I often do better work than they do, however my understanding is limited at times.

Pic of my SBI12 wiring using 35mm cable and voltage monitor wires running direct to the SBI12 terminals:



Can anyone help with any suggestions?

Sorry to derail..

[Lski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lski]

I'm still researching the charging system in the new 2.8Ltr Prado, and currently chasing a service
manual up for one. Would someone who has recently purchased a 2.8Ltr Prado be able to PM me
the Vin number and possibly the registration number of your car so that I can ensure they order
in the correct item?

Hi LeighW,

Just wanted to see if you'd managed to do any further research on the 2.8 charging system?

I intend on installing the dual battery system from my previous 4WD into my new Prado and hoping its going to work or if there is a 'a better option' out there for this vehicle. I am currently using a ABR sidewinder 140 isolator which has served me well for many years, but open to suggestions for a better more efficient set up..

Cheers

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

Hi all,

After a lot of messing about I have found that my booster is a no go with the 2.8Ltr.

The 2.8Ltr uses what is called a LIN regulator, this is controlled via the engine management system, it may be possible for Toyota to turn of the smart charge function if the know how.

Some Nissans have a similar setup and the owners have developed what they call a blue wire mod. The regulators in these alternators have a few different modes, one is a fall back mode where the alternator reverts to normal charging if it looses communication with the engine ECU. With the blue wire mod they either cut the wire at the alternator or remove the pin from the plug of the ECU and either leave it out or coat it in an insulating medium and plug it back in, ie prevent the engine ecu communicating with the alternator.

Hope this may be of help to anyone that likes to experiment.

Cheers
Leigh

[Lski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lski]

After a lot of messing about I have found that my booster is a no go with the 2.8Ltr.

The 2.8Ltr uses what is called a LIN regulator, this is controlled via the engine management system, it may be possible for Toyota to turn of the smart charge function if the know how.

Based on this would a BCDC be better suited for the 2.8 at this point? not sure now whether to install the isolator or get a BCDC..

Cheers
Luke.

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

If you don't wish to investigate further, it would depend on what voltage your getting
and how you intend to use the system, if your going to deeply discharge your batteries
and your getting around 13.8V then the isloator will replace the bulk charge quicker, and
might be the way to go. If your only going to discharge your batteries to 75% - *-% SOC
then the DCDC charger would be the way to go.

Other option is a 40A charger, which should do near the same as an unhobbled alternator
would.

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

Another idea might be to use Redarc's 'ultimate dual battery set-up' wiring diagram to have both options available.

Any brand of DC-DC and isolator would work of course...



Leigh - I take it this would allow the bulk charge off the alternator and higher volatage of the DCDC?

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

Looks like it though of course the logic control will be the operator,
when I get more time I'll look into it a little more and see if there
is an easy solution to the 2.8Ltr.

Another option could be to consider Optimas with a VSR, they should
accept the bulk charge quickly and according to some deep discharging
them isn't as a big an issue as with other batteries, maybe Drive safe
can add some more input.

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

Hi Leigh, I am following this discussion closely, but like others, at this stage, without knowing the actual operating algorithms of Toyota’s new system, I’m in the dark as well.

A have a number of people testing their new Toyotas and are giving me feedback on how they operate.

But ultimately, as you have pointed out, it may be as simple as asking the dealer to turn the system off, and job done.

In the interim, as you suggested Leigh, fitting an Optima would be a good start, no matter what eventuates.

The high current charging ability of an Optima gives it the advantage of being charged faster than a DC/DC device can do it, even when being charged from a lower than normal operating voltage.

But this is only relevant while the auxiliary battery is close the the charging source, the alternator.

Once the battery is located some distance from the engine bay, even an Optima is not going to be of that much of an advantage, unless you run unrealistically large cabling.

Any relevant feedback I get, I will post it up here.

[JohnC80 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnC80]

Hi all just after some info from anyone who has a dual battery setup in a 2.8. I'm about to install mine and have a dcdc. Not interested in the banter regarding these. So some questions.

1. Where have you installed the dcdc? I was considering tigging an alloy bracket and fitting it behind the air intake near the brake reservoir. Any issues with this?

2. Where have you fitted a fuse box. I'm a fan of the narva units as in the link.

http://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/171869238375

I was thinking of mounting this to the top of the factory fuse box located next to the start battery. Any issues with this?

Any feedback is very welcome. Photos would be great.

Thanks for any help. John.

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

Hi all just after some info from anyone who has a dual battery setup in a 2.8. I'm about to install mine and have a dcdc. Not interested in the banter regarding these. So some questions.

1. Where have you installed the dcdc? I was considering tigging an alloy bracket and fitting it behind the air intake near the brake reservoir. Any issues with this?

2. Where have you fitted a fuse box. I'm a fan of the narva units as in the link.

http://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/171869238375

I was thinking of mounting this to the top of the factory fuse box located next to the start battery. Any issues with this?

Any feedback is very welcome. Photos would be great.

Thanks for any help. John.

John,
I have the previous model D4D.
I made a bracket to mount a redarc charger behind the air filter box.

the bracket is bolted to 2 of the existing spare studs, if they are still there in the 2.8
.

fuses

I used a fuse holder that bolts straight onto the battery terminal.
You can get the same thing from blueseas.
Mine was recycled from an old car.

there are some other posts on here with pics showing the same mounting I used
I can get a pic of my setup if you want

Fred

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

Hi all just after some info from anyone who has a dual battery setup in a 2.8. I'm about to install mine and have a dcdc. Not interested in the banter regarding these. So some questions.

Hi John, and just curios as to why you posted up in this thread.

InnerCityBoy has specifically requested info on what to do, and you have posting up how you are not interested in “banter”, well that is exactly what this thread is about.

Could I suggest, if you are not interested in contributing to the “banter” in this thread and that as you are only interested in where to install what ever you are fitting, that you do some research as there are already plenty of threads on the subject, on this site.

Or you start a new thread, rather than hijacking this one.

[JohnC80 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnC80]

Wow I do apologise. Clearly there is already 3 or 4 pages on why you do not rate a dc. I have made a mistake as I thought this was a thread that we could post in about the 2.8 dual battery set-up. Please show me a thread that relates to a 2.8 as that is what I am after.

But hey maybe its time to bring out the popcorn again as I'm an auto electrician and there is no way that an alternator can charge a battery to the same level as a dc can!!

If admin request I will start a new thread titled 'Dual battery setup for 2.8 1GD'.

I do apologise for the hijack InnerCityBoy.