Best way to run wire(s) to back for dual battery?

[ekolpack]

I'd like to run 2 or 3 10-12awg wires to the back of my LC200 for dual battery circuits (prefer multiple circuits for redundancy). What is the best way to do this? Through the firewall or into fender well, then through the nice little cable channel under the door sills that runs the length of the vehicle?

If this method, where do I access through firewall and into channel? I made a little Youtube video exploring options, but nothing obvious jumps out:

Or do a little longer, less elegant run, that's more exposed to elements (but also easier to access) by running under vehicle along frame rails or something? Either way I'll be using quality split wire tubing/conduit. Thanks!

 

[tbisaacs]

There are big rubber plugs on both sides of the engine bay that have nubs you can clip off and slip wires through. They come through under the dash but accessible via top of floor boards.

 

[ekolpack]

There are big rubber plugs on both sides of the engine bay that have nubs you can clip off and slip wires through. They come through under the dash but accessible via top of floor boards.

Thank you! I'm sure I can find the pieces in the engine bay. Is it as simple as peeling the carpet back and pushing wire through a channel until it pops out somewhere near the floorboards? I have the FSM, might try to find info about this there, but not sure where to start. Thanks again!

 

[lx200inAR]

Just butting my nose in probably where it doesn't belong. But you aren't intending to use 10-12 AWG wire for the crossover circuit between the dual batteries are you?

 

[ekolpack]

Just butting my nose in probably where it doesn't belong. But you aren't intending to use 10-12 AWG wire for the crossover circuit between the dual batteries are you?

No, there will be a BCDC involved so load will vary, but my rule of thumb is to use one step above wire rating for max draw on circuit....and I prefer pure copper over CCA. It'll probably be somewhere around 0-4awg but I haven't done the calculation yet for a BCDC1250.

 

[tincan45]

No, there will be a BCDC involved so load will vary, but my rule of thumb is to use one step above wire rating for max draw on circuit....and I prefer pure copper over CCA. It'll probably be somewhere around 0-4awg but I haven't done the calculation yet for a BCDC1250.

Just be careful running the larger BCDC, 50 amps puts a large load on the alternator (especially at idle ) and can potentially create excess heat and premature alternator failure. You may be better off with a 25 amp BCDC.

 

[ekolpack]

Just be careful running the larger BCDC, 50 amps puts a large load on the alternator (especially at idle ) and can potentially create excess heat and premature alternator failure. You may be better off with a 25 amp BCDC.

Y'know I just saw a BCDC1225 come up locally for $200. Was thinking about snagging it, but figured a 1250 would work better. I may have to reconsider. If I understand correctly, the 25 just means slower charging of the second battery, correct? Doesn't actually affect the max load I can put on the second battery?

 

[tincan45]

Y'know I just saw a BCDC1225 come up locally for $200. Was thinking about snagging it, but figured a 1250 would work better. I may have to reconsider. If I understand correctly, the 25 just means slower charging of the second battery, correct? Doesn't actually affect the max load I can put on the second battery?

That's correct.

 

[ekolpack]

For anyone else reading this thread, I looked through engine bay and dug through FSM, didn't see anything obvious. This thread shows exactly where the access holes are and where they pop out inside the vehicle near the passenger kick panel.

Where to lead wires from Engine Bay through Firewall to Cabin

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[pawnthatdude]

Resurrecting this thread.

I am hoping to put a small fuse block in back so I can just run one thicker wire. I was thinking of putting it inside the cargo side panels. However it seems like it would be hard to access in the event I need to change a fuse, especially with drawers installed. Curious how other people have mounted fuse blocks in the back. Potentially I could put it in the wing of the drawer but that is precious space.