Correct wiring and battery set up advice needed

[Bloodyaussie]

I need some advice as to best set up my batteries and what option would be best with what I have already here.

I currently have 3 batteries in my car and this is from when the car was petrol and could only fit a small battery as the aux but now I have a 105a under the bonnet but still have an 85a in the back.

I have a 90amp alternator (new) and a basic isolator (my redarc died).

The 105 and 85 are joined together on one side and then of course the cranking battery, Matty said I should join the 2 big batteries together permanently and have the 85a in the back as the aux with a DC to DC charger but I do not have the money to buy one at this point in time.

I have fridge, oven, and rear light plus lots of smaller stuff running from the 2 aux batteries.

A couple of people have told me to lose the third battery now I have a diesel?

I have a 40watt solar panel plus another 180w I will only use when camping for extended periods.

There are a few different ways to go but I struggle with electrics so would love some advice.

Cheers

[AB]

I would loose the third battery in the rear.


From my limited knowledge joining both batteries would mean your 105 battery will not fully charge.

Still take the 85 on camping with your solar panel if you want too. I take a spare 65 and my panel so Leah has power in the camper if we go off driving.

[macca]

I have been fiddling with this for many years, tried all sorts of systems and ended up with a system that works as we all want ours to.
BUT it is pricey, if I hadn't wasted so much on other systems the cost overall would be way less DOH
Simply if your keeping what you have do it right.
Cuppa and evil-twin both have good advice, and really know the solar side as well, I will defer to them.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...836#post566836 post #23

[lucus30]

I would loose the third battery in the rear.


From my limited knowledge joining both batteries would mean your 105 battery will not fully charge.

Still take the 85 on camping with your solar panel if you want too. I take a spare 65 and my panel so Leah has power in the camper if we go off driving.

Chuck the 3rd battery in a battery box if it isn't already and only take it camping. Charge it at home on a trickle charge before you go and top it up with the solar while out.

If you hook the two batteries up assuming they are the same chemistry both should fully charge but I'd make sure they were fully charged before connecting them

[Bloodyaussie]

I already have another 105a as a spare given to me by a mate but thought had died during the engine conversion period but Matfew took it and gave it some love and it is alive.. I use it in a Ark battery pack.

I just found my glasses after weeks of searching so it makes it much easier to read through all of Cuppa's doctrines ...lol.

At the moment none of it is too useful as I cannot afford a dc to dc charger and most of it from what I have read so far is based around that sort of set up... I dont want to kill anymore batteries.

[Punderhead]

Don't know exactly what your chasing but here is an idea.

Dad has a 4.8 gu, with the abs pack and also LPG. With the both of those there was no room for a second battery under bonnet. As such, he set up his battery isolator etc under bonnet, and ran the wires to the back of the car. From there he teed off, and has placed one Anderson plug inside the back of the wagon, And an Anderson plug next to the trailer plug. When he takes the fridge somewhere, he slides the battery in box next to it, and just plugs it in. He also had a third battery in the camper, that again plugs in.

Takes a few seconds to install/remove, and not in the way at all when you don't need it.


As for the solar I have nothing

Cheers.

[Bigcol]

you could have a look at this
on a caravan forum I am on, this is the set up of one guy

RonEM's Vehicle Wiring Diagram v1.png

for the wiring of the car & Van

ROnEM's Wiring Diagram v3.jpg


may or may not help................

[threedogs]

When I spoke to Alan Johnson from Piranha about running a third battery
he said if I had a 100amp alternator it would be fine
Dont know how you would go with a 90 amp alternator

I ran three batteries without a problem in my other 4x4,with a 100 amp alternator

[BigRAWesty]

So I'm assuming the one in cab is not lead acid?

If that's correct then it's a dc-dc to get the best out of it or remove it as you'll just kill it being inline with your cranking battery..

I'd just run the 2 under bonnet with the simple voltage activated solenoid.. Given they are the same chemistry aswell

[Bloodyaussie]

So I'm assuming the one in cab is not lead acid?

If that's correct then it's a dc-dc to get the best out of it or remove it as you'll just kill it being inline with your cranking battery..

I'd just run the 2 under bonnet with the simple voltage activated solenoid.. Given they are the same chemistry aswell

No it is not but it is vented... I forgot I also have a big sine wave inverter.