Dual battery set up

[beachcomberspi]

I've looked at several Dual Battery setups. The National Luna was the front runner for ease of installation. I've seen some not so glowing reviews in my reading in Mud and wonder if Blue Sea, HellRoaring or another brand may be better suited. Any input is helpful.

 

[9780LC]

The IBS system isn't difficult to wire. I have had it installed in my 80 series for 2 years with no issues.

 

[greentruck]

I've been happy with my Hellroaring system. Works great. In retrospect, I would have gone with the full on version that has the heavy lead down to the starter to make self-jumping absolutely painless. I wanted to avoid dealing with the extra trouble of going under the truck to do that, but since changing my starter I know it's not big deal. I can still self jump from the AUX battery, but have to be careful to only do it briefly, as the light lead back to the Primary battery isn't really designed to carry that much power for too long.

IIRC, all the systems have a similar issue with self-jumping, as you need the heavy gauge lead to the battery to really do that effectively, so consider all you options carefully before making a final decision based on your planned use of the second battery.

Obviously, you can do it with a pair of jumper cables, but on a cold morning it's so much nicer to do it without getting out of the cab.

 

[jcardona1]

Love my HellRoaring setup. I've had to self-jump a few times after not starting the truck for a bit. Just flip the switch, wait a few seconds and she'll crank right over. From my thread:


DUAL BATTERY SETUP

This project has been a long time coming! While I don't run a 12v fridge at this time, I wanted to have the peace of mind when going on camping trips as I go out alone a lot. Last thing I want is for my wife and I to be stranded in the forest due to a dead battery with no cell phone reception anywhere.

I went with the HellRoaring BIC-95300B. I won't go into the details of the system as there several write-ups about it throughout this forum, but this is intended to be used as a backup battery setup where all loads are connected to the main battery and the secondary battery is used only for heavy loads (winching) or self jump-starts if you kill your main battery.

All cables came from www.genuinedealz.com. Rather than making the cables myself, I pre-measured everything and had these guys build the cables (2awg & 4awg as recommended by HellRoaring). Good prices and nice quality marine-grade cable. Highly recommended!

As noted in my earlier post, I upgraded to an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus 65 battery for the main.

I mounted the HellRoaring unit on the cruise control module...

Relocated my washer bottle using Slee's kit:

Picked up a used passenger side battery tray and moved my old 24F battery to serve as the auxiliary battery with military terminals:

I decided to fuse the ground using a 150 amp Bussmann fuse I picked up from HellRoaring (fuse not installed in this pic):

The auxiliary battery is grounded to the fender and the engine block much like the main battery. I used an existing hole in the block which made it easy:

The positive cable from the HellRoaring unit is routed along the top of the firewall and curves around the brake booster:

And is connected to the starter right under the lug terminal of the main battery:

And lastly, the HellRoaring remote module in the cab. I chose to mount it under the ash tray and didn't incorporate into the switch blanks just in case I need to change something in the future. And that's it!

 

[oilbrnr]

IBS.

 

[Douglas S]

I use a Blue Sea 7622, chosen over some of the options mentioned above because of its ability to handle and switch high currents (including the ability to self-jump).

Works perfectly.

 

[milemarker60]

I've been using Blue Sea products in everything including my 6-bank boat installations for years. the 7622 as mentioned above is fantastic for land use and I use the 7610/7650 in my water apps.

 

[Mlachica]

I've been using the single rectifier isolator from www.perfectswitch.com

It's a little more expensive than others on the market but it's simple and effective. I've been using it problem free since about 2006. There's no switches. Just hook up all your aux loads to the aux battery and all your aux loads will be completely separate from your main battery.

 

[bwakeling]

I have been using the Blue Sea 7610 for the last year. works well and keeps the 2nd battery topped up. I carry jumper cables in case I need to boost myself. I like the simplicity and lack of failure points.

 

[LS1FJ40]

Love my HellRoaring setup. I've had to self-jump a few times after not starting the truck for a bit. Just flip the switch, wait a few seconds and she'll crank right over. From my thread:


DUAL BATTERY SETUP

This project has been a long time coming! While I don't run a 12v fridge at this time, I wanted to have the peace of mind when going on camping trips as I go out alone a lot. Last thing I want is for my wife and I to be stranded in the forest due to a dead battery with no cell phone reception anywhere.

I went with the HellRoaring BIC-95300B. I won't go into the details of the system as there several write-ups about it throughout this forum, but this is intended to be used as a backup battery setup where all loads are connected to the main battery and the secondary battery is used only for heavy loads (winching) or self jump-starts if you kill your main battery.

All cables came from www.genuinedealz.com. Rather than making the cables myself, I pre-measured everything and had these guys build the cables (2awg & 4awg as recommended by HellRoaring). Good prices and nice quality marine-grade cable. Highly recommended!

As noted in my earlier post, I upgraded to an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus 65 battery for the main.

I mounted the HellRoaring unit on the cruise control module...

Relocated my washer bottle using Slee's kit:

Picked up a used passenger side battery tray and moved my old 24F battery to serve as the auxiliary battery with military terminals:

I decided to fuse the ground using a 150 amp Bussmann fuse I picked up from HellRoaring (fuse not installed in this pic):

The auxiliary battery is grounded to the fender and the engine block much like the main battery. I used an existing hole in the block which made it easy:

The positive cable from the HellRoaring unit is routed along the top of the firewall and curves around the brake booster:

And is connected to the starter right under the lug terminal of the main battery:

And lastly, the HellRoaring remote module in the cab. I chose to mount it under the ash tray and didn't incorporate into the switch blanks just in case I need to change something in the future. And that's it!

Jose,

This is the exact set up I want. How much $$ am I looking at for this, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[jcardona1]

Jose,

This is the exact set up I want. How much $$ am I looking at for this, if you don't mind me asking?

The Hellroaring unit with remote module is about $250, plus what you'll spend on battery box, washer bottle relocation, second battery and cables. It can get to $500 quick.

 

[NexusD]

I have the National Luna kit, I've had it in for about a year now and I'm pretty happy with it. It was a bit pricey but super simple to hook up. I love the monitor/ controller in the cab.

 

[lockd80]

I essentially have the same set up as Jcardona, put it in six or seven years ago and the only problem I have had is with the battery cables I made. Five years after purchase I was able to call Hellroaring and had a tech walk me thru the trouble shooting procedure to insure the problem was not with their unit. Great customer service! The only addition I am going to make is a couple gauges so I can monitor the condition of the aux battery.

 

[1973Guppie]

I have the blue sea unit and love it. Simple and reliable. Some of the dual batt setups can just get too complicated and expensive.

 

[robmir]

Since I have to travel often and leave my cruiser unattended in my home for long periods I went for a very simple old school but reliable setup, keeping power supply and charging as two separated tasks:

1) a Perko heavy duty dual battery marine switch to allow powering the OEM starting and electrical system either off, bat 1, bat 2 or both in parallel.
2) 2 Surepower 240 Amp dual battery isolators which keeps all my batteries always charged not matter which battery is driving the OEM electrical when selected through the marine switch.

Keep in mind I replaced the OEM alternator with a 170 amp Denso large case alt which required a higher amp isolator to handle it, of course the wire from the alt out to the isolator in and the isolator outs to the batteries were upgraded to a bigger gauge.

Winch and all non OEM accesories are hooked to battery 2

When I park the FZJ80 for more than a week, the Perko always goes to the off position, period.

Pros: Batteries are always charged and ready when I return from my travels, OEM electrical can be hooked to either battery or both if required, winch can be powered with both batteries in paralel in extreme demanding situations.

Negs: have to reset dash clock and radio head unit clock each time and the cruiser runs some short minutes with a initial slightly rough iddle until engine computer sets and learn our higher altitude level over the sea and that's it.

Many years with this setup, not a single problem and way cheaper than others I have seen !!!!

Important Note: I have two 240 amp dual battery isolators in parallel capable of charging up to 4 batteries and a 3 batteries setup ( yes .... this is another story and yes, I was able to fit 3 batteries in the motor bay) with a single pole marine switch to hook battery 3 in parallel with battery 2 but this is overkill and of course not required for a normal setup ( I guess I am not OCD just in case you think that, LOL)

 

[LS1FJ40]

The Hellroaring unit with remote module is about $250, plus what you'll spend on battery box, washer bottle relocation, second battery and cables. It can get to $500 quick.

I have a 92 so I don't need to relocate my washer bottle and have gutted my EGR and air pump already. I get batteries for free from Interstate Batteries. So I'd just have to buy the box, cables, and Hellroaring Kit.

I always thought they were much more expensive than this. Still out of my price range right now but feasible after I get more preventative maintenance items taken care of. Cool. Thanks Jose.

 

[superjuice]

Been running a hell roaring unit for years and used it a few times to self jump. Pretty freakin handy!

Dual battery setup done!

 

[beachcomberspi]

Thank you for all the thoughts. I ordered the National Luna. I have a new OEM for starting and a 34M Diehard Marine as the house battery.

 

[Overland Tailor]

National Luna for me.. I like it -

 

[Florida 80]

Here is my set up. Surepower 200 amp separator. It's been great.


92 FJ80 Dual Battery install