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Ok, I'm ready to buy a dual battery system but have been quoted $1000 bucks for complete system and installation but not sure if this is too much to be paying?
If so ill buy everything myself and have my dad help me install.. What can you recommend as a decent system that I need to be buying and which aux battery?
Ta!
I am made up of the following parts.. Black Irish / Gypsy / Tattoo's and Grumpiness.. and this was sent from my phone using Tapatalk!
Way too much Billy have a look at the Redarc Dual battery controller less than $100.
Pm and we'll see what we can do about Battery cradle etc, OH just remembered youre dual fuel aren't you??
Battery wise you'll need a 100AH Deep cycle sealed if possible {your choice}
For a start it depends on what you really want for a system... do you just want a basic system that just keeps 2 batteries going or do you want something a bit smarter or do you want top of the line??
It is really pretty simple set up for the most part and with advice from some of our gurus you should breeze it in......
What car do you have for a start is a help to work out what battery you can fit plus if it is a late model then you probably have to go with a smarter dual system?
Yendor or Benny or the like can help just give a bit more information mate..
@ BA Billy has a dual fuel GU I think so space under the bonnet is at a premium . The Gas system
converter goes where 2nd battery should
My mate up the road has one with dual fuel and is pretty well decked out... will stick my nose under his bonnet!!
Yup 3D has seen my 'basic' patrol - I cant find any space in the engine bay so was thinking a battery could be placed in the cargo area - i'm yet to decided between storage draws or space cases in the back but do want a fridge in the cargo bay for a start. i guess i would like to have something that i can upgrade as i work out what my needs are but at the moment it is to run a fridge off and charge laptops etc.. with the future needs seeing a compressor, some rear lights, etc..
what about being able to see how much charge i have and adding power sockets etc to be the cargo area - what will i need to consider in my budget?
would $500-$600 be enough for a nice easy to use system?
PS - I am not tech/mech minded at all and spend most of the time getting my arse dirty watching others whilst scratching my head!
Hiya Billy Bleed,
A few Patrols ago I had a dual fuel petty as well and I put the 'Aux' Battery in the footwell of the third row behind the driver side rear seat.
$1,000 may seem a lot BUT it depends on what gear is being installed. As others have said you need to suss out what you want the Aux battery to do. Cables, protection and crimps to suit can be as expensive as the battery and dearer than the switching gear
If it is for winching etc then you need heavy gauge leads, high CCA battery as the aux (or at worst all rounder battery) and high amperage relays/switching/fuse/CB protection.
If it is purely for fridges/camping/low current draw etc then a deep cycle battery and much lighter cable is the go at a significant saving (remember you can manually swap the battery in emergency or use jumper leads to start). One of the smart charger DC/DC units on the market would be the best option in this case.
Ebay can be the cheapest source of gear and or kits Narva/Redarc/Projecta are all OK.
You may need to get one or two terminations crimped by a sparkie but apart from that anyone with rudimentary skills can usually work out the instructions quite easily
At it's most basic it is hard to go past a Redarc VSR and a bit of battery/welding cable if you need high current (100 to 200 amps) or any of the 'smart' DC/DC chargers and automotive cable if you only want low current (say 25 amps).
$500 to $600 will get you a basic setup of Battery, Battery Box, Cables, Relay/Switching device, C/B's etc. Fitting will take a couple of hours
@ Billy if you look in the archives a member did a neat battery install in the cargo area.
Might be worth trying to find to see if it suits your needs,
Hi Billy,
For a good quality battery and a good price check out Caterpillar, here is the catalogue: http://australia.cat.com/cda/files/3...ry%20Specs.pdf
They are located just off the Western Ring Rd, Boundary Rd turn off. William Adams, I found them very helpful.
Confused +++
What is it that I need?
I'm gonna buy the whole lot then take it to the auto electrician around the corner and say install please..!
DB Systems?
PROJECTA-150-AMP-12-VOLT-12V-DUAL-BATTERY-ISOLATOR-SYSTEM-KIT
PIRANHA-DUAL-BATTERY-ISOLATOR-MANAGEMENT-SYSTEM-12V-DBE140-AMP-CHARGER
PROJECTA-DBS085K-DUAL-BATTERY-SYSTEM-ISOLATOR-KIT-4X4-4WD-85-AMP-12V-12-VOLT
PIRANHA-DUAL-BATTERY-ISOLATOR-MANAGEMENT-SYSTEM-KIT-12V-DBE180S-DBM3-MONITOR
PIRANHA-DUAL-BATTERY-ISOLATOR-MANAGEMENT-SYSTEM-KIT-12V-DBE180S-DBM4-MONITOR
Batteries?
35AH-BATTERY-AGM-SLA-12-VOLT-12V-DEEP-CYCLE-GOLF-CART-33ah-BUGGY
12V-18AH-AGM-DEEP-CYCLE-UPS-JET-SKI-SOLAR-MARINE-CAMPING
ET-SKI-BATTERY-CAMPING-12V-20AH-AGM-DEEP-CYCLE
12V-7AH-AGM-DEEP-CYCLE-UPS-ELECTRIC-BIKE-SOLAR-MARINE-FISHFINDER-SPOTLIGHT
Then I need a switch to turn it on and some plugs to attach electrical items such as fridge, laptop, lights etc yes?
sorry for the chaos...
35 ah is not a very big battery , IMO I'd be putting minimum 100AH in the N70z casing about 305 mm I think.
You WILL run out of battery if trying to run lights and an engel or similar
Yo billy this may suit your needs better
after our chat at your place i thought about something like that or one of those thumper systems but i keep thinking it would be better if i had everything installed directly into my truck..?
pm'd
its so i have a frdige, air compressor, ability to charge laptop, camera and phones plus a winch when i can afford one.. i got money burning in my pocket and i'll end up pissing it up against the wall if i don't get this sorted.. eek..
;)
True I take this battery box for lighting only, plus I can move it around when required like down to the river,
Going fishing soon with Bob, you should come Work allowing so you can see it all working. Its very hard to use 100 ah of battery up.
Up on the Murray blessed with sunny days most days so no biggie to get the solar panel out and top up any batteries.
Even touring if travelling everyday a solar panel may not be necessary, This battery box only has 18ah motor bike size deep cycle battery in it,
as will last all weekend with low draw LED lighting, and we have bright camps when all lights hooked up
Gonna drink some vodka and try reading some more - really I'm just indecisive and want someone to hold my hand!
3D when you off??
I am made up of the following parts.. Black Irish / Gypsy / Tattoo's and Grumpiness.. and this was sent from my phone using Tapatalk!
As mentioned before get the best you can afford..
Mine cost me $200 complete.. I got the projecta solinode, 3m of 26mm2 earth welding cable (its orange but split conduit hides that), and I went to a heavy machinery joint hand got one of there "stuffed" batteries for free.. they change then at the slightest power drop, so still quite fine for our gear.. runs my waeco 50ltr fridge for 2 days without a bother, so is fine.. it was still running but we were on the road that day..
And I built the battery tray..
If you can use it, grab a arb tray. Or td I'm sure will slap one together for you..
The rest of it is up to your wallet.. dc-dc charger is better as it charges and maintains your 2nd battery in a controlled way.. the solenoid just opens the food gates and your off and charging...
You can't use a dc charger for self jump starting, but if you carry a set of leads then no worries.. most solenoides have an inbuilt override option with at the push of a button closes the circuit and you are jumping yourself..
Batteries, again a starting battery is not ideal and can wear out quicker if just trickle drawing from it all the time..
A deep cycle is ideal but you damage it if your jumping off it..
And its all pretty simple to install. A weekend max with basic tools
Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories
@ Kallen you forgot to factor in drinks while doing the job,
@ Billy my set up is 100ah D/C under the bonnet for engel, winching {not ideal} and awning light.
100ah battery in camper Charged via solar if required at camp and via patrol when driving, this battery is for music and additional camp lighting, or anything 12v
Battery box if for LED kitchen lighting and used to move a light pole to anywhere I want, All my lighting uses bugger all power, Boy I love LEDs
this is powered via patrol and 80 panel if required, not yet but nice to know I have plenty
My start battery is a sealed 750CCA and thats its only job,starting the Patrol
Ok.. I still aint got clue.. dumb as fff.. someone, anyone? How about 2 slabs of your fave beer and you take to the shop to buy everything and I hand the tools?
I am made up of the following parts.. Black Irish / Gypsy / Tattoo's and Grumpiness.. and this was sent from my phone using Tapatalk!
@ Billy my eldest son is an Auto lec,
This is what I bought, check out the wiring diagram in the ad, it might help a little.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DUAL-BATT...bb9d156&_uhb=1
Will this do the job?
Then all I need is a battery correct?
http://www.piranhaoffroad.com.au/pro...gement-systems
http://www.piranhaoffroad.com.au/pro...ors-protectors
I am made up of the following parts.. Black Irish / Gypsy / Tattoo's and Grumpiness.. and this was sent from my phone using Tapatalk!
If you have the cash go the 180.
The battery monitor connects directly to it, uoi can add solar charging down the track, does a lot more than the $160 one..
Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories
@ Billy I've asked No1 son and he'll do it just a matter of when
Thanks all!
3D - will pm
I am made up of the following parts.. Black Irish / Gypsy / Tattoo's and Grumpiness.. and this was sent from my phone using Tapatalk!
Excellent very nice information for me, ThanksQuote:
$500 to $600 will get you a basic setup of Battery, Battery Box, Cables, Relay/Switching device, C/B's etc. Fitting will take a couple of hours