Dual Battery System - ARB

[disco2611 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close disco2611]

Hello and great forum.

Just got my Brand Spanking new Prado GXL 3.0TD GXL Auto Wagon and am stoked as I never thought I would own a car like this.

Anyway one little quirk - after getting it home and doing the first trip, I noticed that with the dual battery setup, I cannot run anything without the ignition on!!!
What is the point? I and a thousand others, do a regular road trip with lots of overnight stays and a big whopping fridge in the back.
I fail to see the point of 2 batteries in what can only be in a series that can only be utilised while the car is running???
1. Am I missing the point here somewhere???
2. Do I have a case with ARB to get it changed
3. Is it too hard to alter the setup to at least run a cable from somewhere to a 12v outlet at the back.

As I am sure you know, in the back is a 240v outlet only.
I did not request ARB, Toyota must use them.
ARB want near $200.00 to run a cable to a 12v outlet.

Any input from someone who knows what they are talking about will be greatly appreciated.

Dave

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Dual Battery System - ARB

Am I reading this right?:

You had ARB put a second battery in?

But you didn't get them to run any accessories or 12v outlets from it?

If that's right then your second battery doesn't actually do anything but look pretty. If you have your ignition on to run accessories off your 12v outlets then they are still running of the start/main battery.


Mick

[disco2611 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close disco2611]

Re: Dual Battery System - ARB

That's what I am getting at mate - I just wanted to check as it doesn't seem right even to someone with little knowledge as myself.
My missus went to choose the car as we are in the middle of nowhere, I knew what I wanted and you know what you get with a Prado. All I told her was make sure there is a cradle for a spare battery as I have my own battery and Redarc smart solenoid out of my old car.
She was apparently told that the dual setup will come with it anyway???? so be it and this is how it came, I only knew it came from ARB when I rang Mackay Toyota to ask the question and to also winge that one of the copper lugs terminated on "something" from the positive of one of the batteries had not been crimped and thick bare live wire was swinging about under the bonnet!!!

So judging by your response, it is what I thought and that thought is that there is no point having dual batteries that cannot be used while the ignition is off.

thanks for the quick response mate

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Dual Battery System - ARB

Right.... so you have a second battery fitted.

Sounds like your dealer got this fitted by ARB as it's not a standard feature on OZ Prados.


What you need is to get a couple of 12volt outlets wired up from this to run your fridge/accessories from.
This will give you a completely independent supply from the main/cranking battery, no chance of being stranded with a flat cranking battery while camping.


Mick

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Re: Dual Battery System - ARB

Spot on Mick, you will also find that most new car dealers will call up and ask the 4WD Accessory Outlet for a Dual Battery System only with no mention of a fridge power cable to the rear... Also generally if the outlet asks the dealer if they want a fridge cable it usually falls on deaf ears... Might be worthwhile calling you dealer and asking the question.

$200 would be around the right price as well for a 6mm twin core power cable to rear with a decent plug on it, takes a bit to pull apart the trim in a 150, especially with those rear seats.

[2010prado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 2010prado]

2010 prado reverse camera monitor

could anyone tell me which wires are for the reverse camera connected to the prado 2010 VX display unit that I could use as a video signal for a bigger lcd screen as the one on the VX is tiny. all i can see is a 14 pin connector going into the display unit located below the vents. I am use to seeing coax but there is no coax in sight. :?
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