Disabling 2nd battery in dual battery system - help needed please

[richmason]

I have a mysterious current drain that I need to track down in my LJ70. It's left me flat a few times recently on brand new batteries. While I work through this, it has become clear to me that I'm not benefitting from the second battery in its current arrangement of always connected. The medium term solution is an isolator or some sort like I have in my Westy back home but I'm unlikely to be able to source one easily here in Liberia. In the meantime, can I easily disconnect my second battery by removing the cables and taping off the clamps so they don't ground? In this arrangement, can I then jump the first battery with jumper cables connecting the two in the event I need it?

I'm surprised that Toyota didn't install some sort of isolator from the factory but perhaps they did and it has been bypassed.

Best,
Rich

 

[lumpy70]

You can buy a few different kinds of battery isolators, many for under $20.

I installed a switch style here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/745106-my-3rd-battery-setup.html

 

[Malahki]

I use a continuos duty solenoid in one of my vehicles. It uses the ignition power (main battery) to automatically connect the two batteries every time I start it. If the main battery is dead their is a secondary toggle switch that uses the auxiliary battery power to activate the solenoid to connect them

 

[In2cruisers]

why 2 batteries? Is you LJ 24v? If not - how are they possitioned in vehicle...if not 24v just disconnect one battery completely...use only originating power and ground leads...on the single battery and pull jumpers from other