Dual Battery DC to DC charger

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mep1811

mep1811

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While I'm waiting on the booster chip from Australia, I'm think of contingencies if that does not solve the charging problem with the dual batteries.

I'm running a National Luna system.

What DC to DC chargers are you guys using ? Thanks
 
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Redarc BCDC1225 or BCDC1240 seem to be very popular. I would go this route when/if I get dual batteries. And it allows easy PV integration.

I would recommend a DC/DC charger for anything other than a single FLA or dual FLA of the same size/manufacturer wired properly (search KISS dual battery install here). The booster diode may be a good solution for a single AGM, I know a lot of people use it but I don't know much about it.
 
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mep1811 said:
The Redarc is nice but I wonder where I could fit such a large device.
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Quite a few people find a spot next to the passenger side battery, but we put our 1240 on the “cold” side of the radiator:

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I'm using a Redarc BCDC 1225.

I made a simple home made bracket out of aluminum and put it by the starting battery.

Slee has a solution that mounts it by the auxiliary. You need to call, last I knew it wasn't on the website.

@619TOY made my favorite one, but my fabrication skills aren't up to it.

I'm running the HKB diode.

BA63A5C7-C7D3-408D-87FD-3C11B698A829.jpeg
 
CharlieS said:
I'm using a Redarc BCDC 1225.

I made a simple home made bracket out of aluminum and put it by the starting battery.

Slee has a solution that mounts it by the auxiliary. You need to call, last I knew it wasn't on the website.

@619TOY made my favorite one, but my fabrication skills aren't up to it.

I'm running the HKB diode.

View attachment 2335056
Click to expand...

Did the HKB diode not work for you ?
 
mep1811 said:
Did the HKB diode not work for you ?
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HKB diode works great, but it is for charging the starting battery. The BCDC is for charging the auxiliary battery.

...unless I completely misunderstand what I've done, which is possible.

I have an adjustable HKB diode on the way from Australia that should allow me to get a full volt extra (queue our resident AGM in the engine compartment hater...).
 
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CharlieS said:
HKB diode works great, but it is for charging the starting battery. The BCDC is for charging the auxiliary battery.

...unless I completely misunderstand what I've done, which is possible.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping the HKB will do the trick . I have a National Luna system.
 
tirewater said:
Redarc makes a bracket for their chargers. Similar to the home made ones:

www.redarc.com.au

BCDC Classic Mounting Bracket to suit Toyota 70 Series

The REDARC BCDCMB-002 Mounting Bracket is suitable for Toyota LandCruiser 70 series, assisting with installation of our BCDC Classic range into a vehicle engine bay.
www.redarc.com.au www.redarc.com.au
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They do, but as I recall, it interferes with the millimeter wave radar sensor location on US vehicles and is also unobtanium in the US.
 
mep1811 said:
I'm hoping the HKB will do the trick . I have a National Luna system.
Click to expand...

Hopefully somebody more knowledgeable that me can jump in, but all the diode does is fool the alternator into pumping out a few extra tenths of a volt. As I understand it, that helps charge the AGM starting battery which is happier with higher charging voltages. The BCDC is really a smart charging system for the auxiliary battery. I am reasonably sure it doesn't do anything for the starting battery. But I'd be happy to be corrected.
 
CharlieS said:
They do, but as I recall, it interferes with the millimeter wave radar sensor location on US vehicles and is also unobtanium in the US.
Click to expand...
This is my understanding as well and why I decided to make my own bracket. I basically took the idea and tweaked it for a U.S. vehicle.
 
619TOY said:
Quite a few people find a spot next to the passenger side battery, but we put our 1240 on the “cold” side of the radiator:

View attachment 2335040
View attachment 2335044

View attachment 2335045
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Is this the standard Redarc mounting bracket or something else? I like how this is installed, allowing for better circulation than inside the engine compartment.

I am thinking of adding a Redarc BCDC1240D to a truck to allow for solar connection when camping since we will be running a fridge 24/7.
Thanks!
 
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