Dual Battery/Solar System Recommendations...

[Joe45]

How-DEE!
I have 2008 FJC with about 290,000 miles on it.
I have an AGM second battery installed, but not connected.
I have a 100W solar panel on the top, but not connected. Also have a 300W collapsible solar panel.

I want to run my ARB fridge constantly, but electric stuff is the bane of my intellect. Just can't really understand it.

Is there a simple way to connect the fridge to the battery while keeping the battery charged from the engine and solar?
I am in a really bad financial bind right now, so something relatively cheap and simple.

I do have the RedArc DCDC thing, but it's in storage about 2000 miles away and, I figure I'll save it for my HJ when I get that working. Just looking for a way to keep the fridge connected to that second battery and keep the battery charged without risking draining the main battery.

 

[trexoffroad]

I don’t know of a “cheap” way but a “cheaper” way is to run a continuous duty solenoid between the two batteries with a keyed power signal to connect the batteries when the engine is running. Use a 6ga or larger wire to connect the batteries to the solenoid. I’ve been doing this on my FJ for years now and it has worked well. Would I love to have RedArc BCDC? Yes! But it’s low priority right now.
As for your solar, you could run a cheap controller from amazon. I don’t think you could use it to also charge your starter battery. Maybe it depends on the controller?
All of this is cheaper than the BCDC but it’s certainly not free. Wire is so expensive nowadays. Have not priced a solenoid since I installed mine. If possible, wire it as if using the BCDC so that it’s easier when you do? Just a thought.
Wish you the best!

 

[BMThiker]

There is a whole section of Mud dedicated to power systems:

Power Systems

Solar, lithium or AGM batteries, wind, generators, etc.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[BMThiker]

Also, along the lines of what @trexoffroad was saying. This is the most streamline dual batt setup you can do. Wire the fridge directly (use another inline fuse) to the "house" battery.

 

[nakman]

I made a video for this setup, using the Blue DC switch. I know it's on a Tundra, but the parts are essentially the same... you can see how I integrated the solar also. Only change I have made since the video is I added a roof mounted solar, so that's all the time now, not just the foldable one. and yeah I made a video for that too if you are interested, it's on the youtube channel. but here's the dual battery setup, hope this helps!