Dual Battery Electrical System Design: Master Thread (Index Thread)

[jaymar]

This thread is intended to index (primarily) the most thoroughly detailed threads on multi-battery electrical system design. Meaning, not the "Hey I just installed all this great stuff isn't it cool!" threads (and yes it is cool btw) but more the "This is how I designed my electrical system; here's the math and how you calculate amp draw, the wiring diagrams / schematics, the parts I used and the photos" kinda threads that are most useful to those looking to do something similar. With occasional forays into specific related areas (like washer-relocation). Part of my reason for doing is that I want to wire things up for serious overlanding while swapping engines--and I don't know squat about wiring. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Bupkiss. So I'm looking to learn from those who've already done what I want to do. I did try to shortcut by looking up ICON's former electrical engineer, but he is, shall we say, unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Note: Some links pointed to individual posts rather than OP; that's been fixed. Links may be reshuffled later. I may add a solar (or other) section if I find enough links.

Feel free to point out relevant threads, and I'll add them to this first post as we go--ultimately winding up with something like my earlier index threads:

Vehicle Security: Master Thread (Index Thread)

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Attic / Ceiling Rack / Ceiling Shelf / Overhead Storage: Master Thread (Index Thread)

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=============================================================================Begin --Inigo Montoya

Multi-Battery System | Electrical Guru's Advice Requested

Hey ya'll, so I have a three battery system, multiple isolators and 200 watts of sollar in my cruiser currently and it's been working well for the last 5 years. Now it's time to start looking towards replacing some of the batteries and I wanted to get the teams input on my set up and what (if...

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Basic Dual Battery Diagram

Howdy all. Since putting some of the new dual battery parts up on the site, have been receiving A LOT of questions about how they work/mount/etc. Put this together for them and decided it might be helpful for some here as well. This is intended as a very basic diagram of what a dual battery...

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Dual Battery w/pic’s, verbose

Edit 3/4/06 hosting was lost, images re-added as attachments. due to the limits of attachemnents most of pictures are attached to posts other then where they are written about, I did attach the pictures in order though. System Things it can do: Provide an Auxiliary battery to be...

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Dual Battery Planning

I recently picked up a second battery tray from http://stainlesstrays.com so that I can finally utilize this second battery. Fit and finish of the tray is absolutely awesome and I'd recommend these battery trays to anyone: The question arises at how to hook these up for use. Right now my...

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Dual Battery wiring Q's

I'm putting together my parts list for my dual battery system, and I have a couple of quick questions about my dual battery setup I'm working on. 97 LX450. Battery #2 will be going in USPS battery tray (thanks Dan). Washer bottle has been reloacted (with minimal bloodshed). What guage...

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FAQ addition: Dual Battery Set-Ups

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My Dual Battery Setup

I think this is a bit different from the other dual battery setups I’ve seen, so I thought I’d post it up for reference. Sorry about the lame pictures. I think I got some water in my camera. I’ll replace them when I get a new camera. Step 1 – Clear some space I used the Slee kit to move the...

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Dual Battery setups (basic and advanced)

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WASHER BOTTLE RELOCATION

[Looking for Delta and Slee kit thread links. Also, @NLXTACY has mentioned a bladder sitting atop a fusebox IIRC, and also "The good news is there is an alternative JDM Corolla two piece washer bottle that sits inside the driver’s side fender. There are one or two threads on it and I have it installed myself. Frees up a lot of room." Links, anyone?]

Delta Vehicle Systems - 1FZ Washer Relocation Kit

Dual battery in your 93+? Better put that washer reservoir somewhere!

www.deltavs.com

SLEE - Washer Bottle Relocation Kit - Slee Off Road

Includes Stainless steel brackets Installation hardware Wring supplies for extending the pump wiring

sleeoffroad.com

Slee Washer Bottle Relocation kit - Real time help needed pls

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Washer Bottle Relocation

Washer Relocation

Washer Relocation, Dual batters - Plus...

Trying to get ready for the Jamborie in Texas this next weekend, so I've been trying to get some things done. I got a '91 battery tray from my brother - so that started a whole mess of work. First - I was about to break down and buy a washer relocation bracket, then I mentioned buying one to...

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another washer bottle solution

I'm just wrapping up the first phase of a build and ran into a small issue with the washer bottle. This truck was spec'd out with dual batteries and a Super Charger. I originally oredered a Slee washer bottle relocation bracket. However as some might know it won't work with the Super Charger...

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Washer Fluid reservoir with SC and dual batteries

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Washer bottle relocation on a RHD 80

No way can I do what you guys do (relocate it using brackets on the cruise control) the brake cyliner is there, no space at all. There is some space on the opposite side, near the firewall, but not sure it's enough for that big bottle. Anyone got any ideas ? Found this pic of a diesel...

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Aussie/JDM dual battery

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MOUNTING COMPRESSOR WITH BATTERY

80 series ARB Dual Air Compressor Mounting Locations – CONFIDENT TO DIY

MISC

Best battery terminals to organize all the crap!

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If you have dual batteries, how do you isolate the elec system when doing anything on the vehicle?

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if you have solar to charge battery/s how is yours set up ?

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Solar Panels Installed On LandCruiser

I keep my Engle fridge running always and don't always drive enough too keep everything charged. This keeps the batteries charged with enough extra charging power to keep everything cold in the fridge and run other accessories. Panels bolted on to Inti rack with rubber spacers and metal...

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Determining my power needs for field work

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[LandLocked93]

Voltage and current monitoring setups in conjunction with the installs would be great, and hugely helpful in both day-to-day operations monitoring and troubleshooting.
Once an electrical baseline is developed using the monitoring, anything that generates an 'out of spec' reading can be quickly identified and isolated - provided the design of the install allows you to do so, and quickly.
In short, the monitoring can absolutely help prevent catastrophic failures which will destroy a rig in no time.

To this end, and if interested (and something I've been wanting to do for a while since my install), I'll get to documenting my monitoring setup and offer it to the project.
Yes there are turnkey (read expensive) solutions, but mine uses the far less expensive lcd/shunt kits available on Amazon and other places.

 

[jaymar]

Voltage and current monitoring setups in conjunction with the installs would be great, and hugely helpful in both day-to-day operations monitoring and troubleshooting.
Once an electrical baseline is developed using the monitoring, anything that generates an 'out of spec' reading can be quickly identified and isolated - provided the design of the install allows you to do so, and quickly.
In short, the monitoring can absolutely help prevent catastrophic failures which will destroy a rig in no time.

To this end, and if interested (and something I've been wanting to do for a while since my install), I'll get to documenting my monitoring setup and offer it to the project.
Yes there are turnkey (read expensive) solutions, but mine uses the far less expensive lcd/shunt kits available on Amazon and other places.

Absolutely; post it up and shoot me the link!

 

[MMaxim]

Very timely!
I just finished relocating my washer bottle and installing second battery. I fabbed up relocation brackets myself and the battery tray is similar to what I made for the driver side. Only difference is integrated ARB compressor mount.
Electrical is simple and straightforward, with continuous use solenoid wired to connect both batteries when the engine is running. All parts of the system are rated to 350A+ continuous use, enough for jumpstarting and winching.

 

[MMaxim]

A few pictures. Will take one of the finished product tomorrow.

 

[jaymar]

A few pictures. Will take one of the finished product tomorrow.

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Do a thread; I'll link it. Include details on your wiring.

 

[Feistl]

I have been contemplating putting a video together on wiring up a 4WD (specifically my 80 series) covering the basics right through to advanced circuits... How soon are you getting started?

Just the absolute vast majority of wiring jobs I've seen are very below par and can be done much better with a little effort, a few special (but cheap) tools and some patience.

I am also a fan of using individual specific components vs "all in one" units which are very very expensive (Like Redarc, which make good stuff but can be done for a lot less money).

 

[jaymar]

I have been contemplating putting a video together on wiring up a 4WD (specifically my 80 series) covering the basics right through to advanced circuits... How soon are you getting started?

Just the absolute vast majority of wiring jobs I've seen are very below par and can be done much better with a little effort, a few special (but cheap) tools and some patience.

I am also a fan of using individual specific components vs "all in one" units which are very very expensive (Like Redarc, which make good stuff but can be done for a lot less money).

Sounds great. Right now I'm in the parts-hoarding phase for engine/tranny rebuild and engine bay upgrade. Targeting this summer for the actual work.

 

[robnicko]

Aussie/JDM dual battery

forum.ih8mud.com

See post #11 in the above link for pics of my install using Piranha Off-road battery tray & washer bottle relocation. This setup was installed in 2001

 

[jaymar]

A few pictures. Will take one of the finished product tomorrow.

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Can you get a shot of that relocated bottle from directly above, showing how close it gets to the Cruiser control box. And maybe from the engine side, also showing clearance? Trying to see if there's room for a sPOD Bantam there, without blocking the can... Thanks!