which dual battery set up

[jay see]

Sorry guys. I know that this has been covered a million times, but the more that I read the more I don't understand it.
I'm not to bad around the mechanical side of things, but have never really understood amps, volts, current and the whole electrical side of this.
What I want to do is pretty simple, just don't want overkill or not big enough on the system or the wires.

OK. This is going into a series 1 GU with LPG.

• is it best to run the second battery in the engine bay? If so can I move some of the gas components or does a licensed installer need to do this?
• I want to run everything from the second battery to a central fuse box. What's the most effective position, engine bay or inside somewhere.
• I'm not going to run a fridge all the time, only when needed and this could be up to 5 days, but I could use a 9kg bottle
• things that I'll run off the second battery are 12v plugs with USB slots for charging phones, gadgets, GPS and small things the like, may run up to 6 plugs. Rear led light and possibly some other small things as I can't think of then ATM.
•Winch, driving spotlights and UHF are currently running off main battery. Can this stay this way or best not to?
• would like a system that will charge both batteries when needed and may even run solar at some point.
• what type of battery is recommended for a set up like this.

I think that about it. If I have overlooked something please bring it up
Cheers

[threedogs]

I would change your UHF to your AUX and wire it live via a fuse.
leave your start battery for just that starting.
Redarc are Aust and make a great Dual battery isolator
I decent 100 ah deep cycle would suit your needs

[jay see]

Ok. Thanks for a starting point.
Might go into jay car and have a chat with the guys there.
So if I run everything off the second battery and leave the main one only for starting, that won't be a problem. Good, that's what I want to do.

[Bloodyaussie]

Anything being used while the engine is running should be wired to the main battery and anything used when the car is idle runs off the aux battery.

Get your self a good quality isolator and you will also need a battery tray that is suited to your car.

I find the people to talk in regards to this are piranha 4x4... always very helpful and sell good gear that is not over priced.

Jaycar is good for some stuff but would not use them for isolator...?

[threedogs]

where abouts in Melb are you Jay Cee ???
for a neat job you may need a fused block that you can run accessories from
I ran a separate line for my fridge via circuit breaker, avoid using cig sockets
as they are not very reliable, use either merit or maybe 50amp Anderson plugs for the fridge
always put the fuse as close to battery as possible

I would leave winch on ignition so the patrol is going when the winch is needed,
Otherwise you may flatten the battery very quickly

[lucus30]

What motor do you have? Im going to presume its a TB45E as its a Series 1 on gas.

In that case the best spot to mount the dual battery under the bonnet depending where they have mounted the mixer will be passenger side back near the firewall where a small vacuum cannister is mounted. This will need to be relocated.
Though I ended up mounting the isolator there and running a battery box in the back but this was mainly so I can chuck the battery and the fridge in the tent if I wanted to.

Also if you wanted to look at solar set up it might be wise to get a dual sensing isolator so you can hook your panels up to either the aux battery or the starter and charge both.

As per TD's suggestion 100AH would be sufficient though would get a AGM if you plan to put it in the back. Something else to keep in mind is it sounds like you have a 3-way fridge, these will use a fair bit of juice so would be running it off gas where possible besides they generally cool better on gas any way.

When you find a somewhere to mount a decent size central fusebox let me know as I am also interested as I'm still trying to suss out a good location. I am thinking at this behind the passenger rear quarter panel
I have a 12way blue sea fuse block that I plan to use

[jay see]

where abouts in Melb are you Jay Cee ???
for a neat job you may need a fused block that you can run accessories from
I ran a separate line for my fridge via circuit breaker, avoid using cig sockets
as they are not very reliable, use either merit or maybe 50amp Anderson plugs for the fridge
always put the fuse as close to battery as possible

I would leave winch on ignition so the patrol is going when the winch is needed,
Otherwise you may flatten the battery very quickly

I'm out Caroline springs way, but travel to the northern suburbs for work. Shift work so my posts will be all over the shop regarding times.
I want to run a fuse box, is it best to have it close to the battery, this depends on weather the battery goes under the bonnet or not.
Do I really need to run an Anderson plug, I probably will end up using gas more than battery for the fridge.
Will have to check how the winch is set up, if its acc or engine running. Which is recommended.

[threedogs]

I'll send a PM top RHS of screen to you

[jay see]

What motor do you have? Im going to presume its a TB45E as its a Series 1 on gas.

In that case the best spot to mount the dual battery under the bonnet depending where they have mounted the mixer will be passenger side back near the firewall where a small vacuum cannister is mounted. This will need to be relocated.
Though I ended up mounting the isolator there and running a battery box in the back but this was mainly so I can chuck the battery and the fridge in the tent if I wanted to.

Also if you wanted to look at solar set up it might be wise to get a dual sensing isolator so you can hook your panels up to either the aux battery or the starter and charge both.

As per TD's suggestion 100AH would be sufficient though would get a AGM if you plan to put it in the back. Something else to keep in mind is it sounds like you have a 3-way fridge, these will use a fair bit of juice so would be running it off gas where possible besides they generally cool better on gas any way.

When you find a somewhere to mount a decent size central fusebox let me know as I am also interested as I'm still trying to suss out a good location. I am thinking at this behind the passenger rear quarter panel
I have a 12way blue sea fuse block that I plan to use

Yep your spot on with the engine.
That corner is where the gas gear is, will go to see someone if they can move it or the battery will have to go in the back.
Yep your right again about the fridge and I usually run it off gas anyway. Will keep in mind the dual sensing isolator.
I like your idea for placing the fuse box there, maybe even under the middle row of seats, that way its easy to access it.
Thanks for the input.

[threedogs]

I'm only down the road near the DeerPark shopping centre so not far away
you wouldn't be using gas whilst travelling would you. Not up with these 3way fridges
about the only thing I know is they use heaps of power on 12 volts and they need to be level
but other than that they are a good fridge if propped for a while in one spot
Edit A few guys with the 6.5 Chev have put the second battery in the left rear quarter panel

[jay see]

I'm only down the road near the DeerPark shopping centre so not far away
you wouldn't be using gas whilst travelling would you. Not up with these 3way fridges
about the only thing I know is they use heaps of power on 12 volts and they need to be level
but other than that they are a good fridge if propped for a while in one spot
Edit A few guys with the 6.5 Chev have put the second battery in the left rear quarter panel

No, I precool the night before on 240v, then in the car on 12v and gas once we get to the camp site and yes they work very well on gas. Just as long as you don't over fill it. I once cracked an egg to cook and the york just about bounced off the hot plate , it wasn't completely frozen
But almost. Its a aldi fridge, mate paid $50 more for a brand name and said he should have brought the aldi one, at least 5 years later and still going great.

[lucus30]

Yep your spot on with the engine.
That corner is where the gas gear is, will go to see someone if they can move it or the battery will have to go in the back.
Yep your right again about the fridge and I usually run it off gas anyway. Will keep in mind the dual sensing isolator.
I like your idea for placing the fuse box there, maybe even under the middle row of seats, that way its easy to access it.
Thanks for the input.

That's pretty common mounting spot luckily they mounted my gas mixer middle back near the firewall. If you do plan to go ahead with mounting it there you can use this

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm?itemId=400374640633

[jay see]

That's pretty common mounting spot luckily they mounted my gas mixer middle back near the firewall. If you do plan to go ahead with mounting it there you can use this

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm?itemId=400374640633

Wow $169 just for a tray, I just brought a super charge battery with 3 year warranty for the wifes ve for $148.
Any chance of a pic of your engine bay showing gas mixer and battery?

[lucus30]

Wow $169 just for a tray, I just brought a super charge battery with 3 year warranty for the wifes ve for $148.
Any chance of a pic of your engine bay showing gas mixer and battery?

I don't have my battery in the front its in a bat box in the rear so I can remove it. But I'll take a picture of my engine bay and mixer if you want tomorrow.

You can always fab your own battery tray up if you have the skills

[Drewboyaus]

I now run a triple battery setup because the space I had to work with under the bonnet of the old TB42e is stuff-all for a second battery. My setup now is a cranking battery and Supercharge Marine Pro Gold (second battery) connected via a Redarc SBI12. I then have a third battery (120AH Century AGM) in an ArkPac in the back, connected to the cranker via a Ctek DC-DC charger. This allows me to remove the ArkPac and fridge so they can be left at camp. I can also use the Ctek as a solar regulator to top up the third battery. It's not a cheap setup but very effective for my needs. I run all accessories except UHF and winch off the second battery. Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[jay see]

I now run a triple battery setup because the space I had to work with under the bonnet of the old TB42e is stuff-all for a second battery. My setup now is a cranking battery and Supercharge Marine Pro Gold (second battery) connected via a Redarc SBI12. I then have a third battery (120AH Century AGM) in an ArkPac in the back, connected to the cranker via a Ctek DC-DC charger. This allows me to remove the ArkPac and fridge so they can be left at camp. I can also use the Ctek as a solar regulator to top up the third battery. It's not a cheap setup but very effective for my needs. I run all accessories except UHF and winch off the second battery. Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner
I think this is a bit much for what I want, but thanks for the input.

[Bloodyaussie]

I think this is a bit much for what I want, but thanks for the input.

Yeah he is such a wanker hey !!!!!!!!! LOL

Mate the trays are where one of the big expenses is and I have struggled in the past with why they would cost so much... your only other option is to be good on the tools but get it wrong and your battery breaks away and you could be up for big dollars in repairs or worse a fire in your car.

Keep your eye out in other places like Fartface as there are always deals to be had there.

[jay see]

Keep your eye out in other places like Fartface as there are always deals to be had there.

Am I that far out of touch.

Fartface....... Typo??????

[Drewboyaus]

Youuuze can all get forked! LOL

The reason I went with my setup was because of the crappy small amount of space that was available under the bonnet of the GQ TB42 for the second battery. I can only fit a 65Ah under there and ran out of juice a few times.....
I don't know what it's like in a GU but I suspect with the gas setup you will also be space limited.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Bloodyaussie]

Am I that far out of touch.

Fartface....... Typo??????

No typo mate..... call it what you like.... friendface f%$kface facesook

[liftlid]

Youuuze can all get forked! LOL

The reason I went with my setup was because of the crappy small amount of space that was available under the bonnet of the GQ TB42 for the second battery. I can only fit a 65Ah under there and ran out of juice a few times.....
I don't know what it's like in a GU but I suspect with the gas setup you will also be space limited.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Just wondering how you can't fit another batt on the pas side the diesels have enough room for air cleaner, batt, air compressor , fuel filter and vacuum res. on the inner guard what's on yours?

[jay see]

No typo mate..... call it what you like.... friendface f%$kface facesook

Shit. I'm out of touch, must be getting old.

Thanks for the heads up.

[jay see]

Ok guys, I've decided on what to do.
I'm going to get the aux battery set up installed. Will go and get some prices over the next week of so.
Going to try a 4x4 mechanic/specialist, ARB, opposite lock, and an auto electrician and yes TJM.
Will get them to probably install the battery in the back, with a fuse box, then I set up all my plugs and run everything else to the box.
Will keep you all posted once I have all quotes.