2nd battery, roof rack delete

[COS80]

My LX came with a Prinsu roof rack and a dual battery setup. Both are high-quality and well-done, but I just can't figure out why I need either one.

In a year, I've used the roof rack exactly once, and it was to carry a shovel (carrying a $20 shovel on a $2,000 roof rack is pretty comical, frankly). I just don't know what to put up there. I have a spare wheel carrier and a jerry can carrier on the bumper. I'm not really a camper, so I have no real interest in a tent, or an awning - things like these I could do... maybe... someday....

The dual battery system, while well-done, has been nothing but problems. With no intent to run down a battery with camp lights, I'm not sure why I need it, either. Since the isolator is the most recent thing to take a dump, I have it cut out of the loop and both batteries in parallel, and in this mode, I really don't see what it's gaining me, other than filling up the engine bay and adding weight on the nose.

What am I missing?

 

[greentruck]

My LX came with a Prinsu roof rack and a dual battery setup. Both are high-quality and well-done, but I just can't figure out why I need either one.
SNIP

What am I missing?

Pretty sure the Prinsu is wide enough to hold a sheet of plywood and that can come in handy even without any inclination to camping. It'll come off easy enough if you want to Craiglist or MUD classifieds it to a new appreciative owner at a good price.

Not sure what isolator you're running,but never had a hint of trouble with my Hellroaring isolators in a decade and a half of using them. Don't know if your system provides a jump-start capability, but a pair of jumper cables can make that happen regardless -and that can be handy at times.

 

[COS80]

Got a link to that Hellroaring? Mines a BlueSea, and about that age.

 

[greentruck]

Got a link to that Hellroaring? Mines a BlueSea, and about that age.

Here you go: https://www.hellroaring.com/battery1.php
I use the BIC-95150B configured as a basic Auxiliary Battery system. Give them a call if you're not sure on how you want to config it. They will work you through things so that you get the system the way it works best for you.

 

[COS80]

I guess one thing that occurred to me, after reading about the Hellroaring unit, is that I do have my winch on the second battery. I'm sure it would work just fine on the main, too, but maybe it's a little better having it on its own.

 

[greentruck]

I guess one thing that occurred to me, after reading about the Hellroaring unit, is that I do have my winch on the second battery. I'm sure it would work just fine on the main, too, but maybe it's a little better having it on its own.

That's what I use the Blue Sea switch for. The winch is wired directly to the primary battery, which recharges faster from the alternator. The auxiliary battery's recharge is somewhat more limited because of the 50 amp circuit breaker limits the max recharge rate. However, I do. want it available in circumstance where the engine dies, for instance, or if I manage to fry the primary. Having options is a good thing.

 

[CrabCake]

I guess one thing that occurred to me, after reading about the Hellroaring unit, is that I do have my winch on the second battery. I'm sure it would work just fine on the main, too, but maybe it's a little better having it on its own.

Mine came with both as well...I sold off my Front Runner roof rack to another happy 80 owner locally.

For most dual battery setups, they are for peace of mind as a second on board if you are out in nowhere. Also, most will use to power any aux items that are used without having to turn on the key such as fridges, secondary ports, aux lighting for camping, on board air, etc. Mine runs a rear panel plus the ARB compressor in the back for the locker and air option. I had a fridge too that came with the truck but somewhat foolishly sold it cheap as a "I'll never need that" item...wish I had that one back!

One note, with my dual battery controller (IBS-DBC), it specifically notes to run your winch on the primary battery. This gives more power directly from the alternator when in use plus eliminates the path of the power thorough a secondary relay for the controller on those high amp draws under load.

 

[COS80]

I have noticed that my compressor seems to pick up pace if I put the batteries in parallel. I usually connect it to the 2nd battery. I didn't know it was limited by the circuit. So really all its gaining me is the chance to maybe jump start myself someday.