Triple batteries??????

[Drewboyaus]

So I've had enough of dealing with the lack of 2nd battery capacity in my TB42e with the lack of space, I can only fit about a 60Ah marine battery under the bonnet and its not an ideal setup if I'm away with the family for a few days.
Currently my wee second battery and cranker are connected with a Redarc SBI12 via bloody thick cable so can be winched from if desperate. I also now have an ArkPak (that will soon have an 130Ah deep cycle in it). The ArkPak was chosen so I could leave fridge etc. at camp for when the missus and kids decide they'd rather a swim than go bash up a hill......
I have been considering adding a cTek dc-dc charger on the cargo barrier connected to the cranking battery and the ArkPak (also in the cargo area) with the idea that it would charge the deep cycle while driving and I could connect some solar as well that could also top it up if needed.
I want to avoid too many changes under the bonnet at the moment so would prefer to leave the SBI12 in place (possible swap for a dual sensing version).
I have attached a sketch of my thougts and would be interested in feedback on the validity of what I am proposing.........
Many thanks,
Drew.

43320

[threedogs]

Haven't seen your pic but that's what I have or very similar, Redarc for the dual batteries .
Also charges battery in camper whilst driving and at camp I use solar, but have never run out of 12v yet ,now I use Leds
My aux is 115ah and the camper is 100ah and my battery box is only 18ah deep cycle motor bike size for
lighting only. works for me and has for yonks

[Drewboyaus]

The Redarc I have is just a smart solenoid not a charger.......so I'm looking to add a smart charger to accept solar and charge a third battery in the ArkPak that is located in the cargo area.
I've been follwing many of the battey/solar threads and I think I've bamboozled myself!!!

[megatexture]

So I've had enough of dealing with the lack of 2nd battery capacity in my TB42e with the lack of space, I can only fit about a 60Ah marine battery under the bonnet and its not an ideal setup if I'm away with the family for a few days.
Currently my wee second battery and cranker are connected with a Redarc SBI12 via bloody thick cable so can be winched from if desperate. I also now have an ArkPak (that will soon have an 130Ah deep cycle in it). The ArkPak was chosen so I could leave fridge etc. at camp for when the missus and kids decide they'd rather a swim than go bash up a hill......
I have been considering adding a cTek dc-dc charger on the cargo barrier connected to the cranking battery and the ArkPak (also in the cargo area) with the idea that it would charge the deep cycle while driving and I could connect some solar as well that could also top it up if needed.
I want to avoid too many changes under the bonnet at the moment so would prefer to leave the SBI12 in place (possible swap for a dual sensing version).
I have attached a sketch of my thougts and would be interested in feedback on the validity of what I am proposing.........
Many thanks,
Drew.

43320

yep thats basically what my mate has and he mounted the ctek on top a battery box so he can remove it with the battey and leave it at camp using it as a solar regulator, then throw it back in the car and plug it back in via anderson plug to charge off the starter

but that drawing looks fine

[Drewboyaus]

Ah-ha! Thanks. Good idea on the Anderson plug to connect the CTek......hadn't thought of that. It had been annoying me having the Ctek mounted in the car when on occasion I'd like to leave the solar at camp to charge the ArkPak.......
Nice

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[billyj]

after a bit of reaserch i found a way to put a full size 12" 100ah battery in a tb42e. by using the piranha tray to suit a 2.8diesel, all you have to do is move the coil and vacuum canister and you will have a full size battery in the passenger side corner of the engine bay, even fits with a turbo on the side of the old tb42e

heres a few pics of the setup4332843329433304333143332

[Drewboyaus]

after a bit of reaserch i found a way to put a full size 12" 100ah battery in a tb42e. by using the piranha tray to suit a 2.8diesel, all you have to do is move the coil and vacuum canister and you will have a full size battery in the passenger side corner of the engine bay, even fits with a turbo on the side of the old tb42e heres a few pics of the setup<img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43328"/><img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43329"/><img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43330"/><img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43331"/><img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43332"/>

Wow! Nice work!
Where did you relocate the coil to?

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[Drewboyaus]

What size cable should I use between the cranking battery and the Ctek charger in the car?
I'm assuming it will also need to be protected by a (50A?) circuit breaker or fuse......
Do I also need to fuse the short link between charger and battery box?

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[billyj]

coil is tucked in between the airbox and battery, think i had to extend its earth cable slightly but was a fairly straight forward job to fit the bigger tray

[Bloodyaussie]

Hey Billy whats with that last pic you posted???

[billyj]

just a more recent pic of the setup, showing it will even fit with a turbo system on a tb42e

[megatexture]

What size cable should I use between the cranking battery and the Ctek charger in the car?
I'm assuming it will also need to be protected by a (50A?) circuit breaker or fuse......
Do I also need to fuse the short link between charger and battery box?

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I'd just keep the short end to the battery box short and well insulated (if attaching the ctek to the box) and fuse the one going between the ctek and cranker at both ends and fuse to suit the wire. If the arc pack is in the boot I'd prob use 8mm twin core.

[Cuppa]

You’ve got it nailed.
As well as MT’s mates idea of having the Ctek removable how about adding the the extra flexibility of being able to solar charge the aux as well. It’s only one more cable & a switch?

43380

[Drewboyaus]

You’ve got it nailed.
As well as MT’s mates idea of having the Ctek removable how about adding the the extra flexibility of being able to solar charge the aux as well. It’s only one more cable & a switch?

43380

Thanks Cuppa........I might not put the switch in just yet but will be in the planning......I assume would need to ensure it is switched off when the battery is charging via the alternator?
When Mega is talking about 8mm cable is that like 6B&S size (or is that too big)? Bloody cable sizing is harder to pick than a broken nose with some B&S, some sqmm, some AWG.......confusing as fark!

Cheers,
Drew

[megatexture]

8mm core not including insulation but i agree its a pain when ordering/ comparing wiring, you will prob need at least 4-5 mtrs to get it in the back so you don’t want anything to small.

[Drewboyaus]

Is that 8mm diameter or area?

[megatexture]

i was refering to diameter, have you seen the link cuppa has posted previously regarding wire calculations http://hobohome.com/news/?p=581

[GQ TANK]

I would change the switch setup by cuppa-

Use a switch (or relay) to charge the crank battery & the AUX via the sb12. eg the relaye does a chnage over of the dcinput to output.

I use this type of setup with my work trucks as they are pacrked for long periods. The charge from the ctek should be high enough to activete the sb 12 and trickle charge both batterys.