Installing a Redarc Smart Start and 2nd battery (1 Viewer)

[fowlerjk]

I have read through the forums and gotten pieces of what I need, but nothing that ties it together for my specific situation.

When I get my LC100 back from the shop (long story involving a small fire in the intake), I have a Redarc Smart Start ready to install. I want to add a second battery to run some radios with the engine off. I nearly stranded myself Sunday and that pushed me to do this.

I know that the Smart Start is just the isolator (right?) between the two batteries, and I need more equipment to finish it up. Will get a second battery tray and necessary thick cables. My questions:

1. What specific cabling do I need in addition to the Smart Start?
2. How do I wire them? There is no extra charger, so it's just two batteries, the alternator, the fuse box, and the Smart Start.
3. How many inline fuses do I need to plan for?
4. I have an aux fuse box under the hood. How should that be wired?

Again, I searched already and did not find my answer. Hoping this thread will be useful to others in my situation.

 

[NearJetties]

Redarc has a lot of very useful diagrams to help figure out what you need.

DC Chargers and Isolators Wiring Guides

Need help to install or troubleshoot your REDARC DC Charger or Battery Isolator? View the range of helpful articles here.

www.redarcelectronics.com

Basic SBI install wiring diagram

Learn to wire a basic sbi install. Our comprehensive guide will show you how to get the job done in no time!

www.redarcelectronics.com

They also have wiring kits. They’re BCDC focused but will give you an idea what kind of fusing and wire size is needed depending on your layout.

https://cdn.intelligencebank.com/au/share/yE9N/zJpl/8Jd3b/original/INST187-3+Inst+Manual+BCDC+Alpha+Wiring+Kit+EN

Search Ih8mud too - not just in the 100 series forum. There is a ton of great info.

4wd 24/7 and Ronny Dahl also have great guides/tech tips on YouTube.

The resources listed above are what I used to design and build my setup.

 

[MechE30]

I have read through the forums and gotten pieces of what I need, but nothing that ties it together for my specific situation.

When I get my LC100 back from the shop (long story involving a small fire in the intake), I have a Redarc Smart Start ready to install. I want to add a second battery to run some radios with the engine off. I nearly stranded myself Sunday and that pushed me to do this.

I know that the Smart Start is just the isolator (right?) between the two batteries, and I need more equipment to finish it up. Will get a second battery tray and necessary thick cables. My questions:

1. What specific cabling do I need in addition to the Smart Start?
2. How do I wire them? There is no extra charger, so it's just two batteries, the alternator, the fuse box, and the Smart Start.
3. How many inline fuses do I need to plan for?
4. I have an aux fuse box under the hood. How should that be wired?

Again, I searched already and did not find my answer. Hoping this thread will be useful to others in my situation.

Since you know how serious fires can be, I would really highly encourage you, if going the DIY route, to research cabling (wire type, wire size, thick is not just better), fusing (how many , what amperage, and where!), and equipment requirements before buying more stuff. Electrics isn’t so complicated but it does need foresight and careful consideration if you’re going to be safe out there.

 

[fowlerjk]

Thank you both for the advice. The photos are VERY helpful. I'm able to think through this more with this guided information. Sometimes you just need a little nudge to make sure you're not going in the wrong direction with so many information sources available.

I believe one of the wiring kits with all the correct cables and circuit breakers will be my best option rather than piecing it together from the local auto parts place. Based on the simple wiring diagram from Redarc, I will do the following. Please correct any mistakes in the order.

1. Install second battery tray and battery in engine bay, which will wind up being Start Battery (SB) based on placement
2. Install SmartStart (SS) in engine bay
3. Ground the SB to chassis
4. Ground the SS to the chassis
5. Connect the short positive cable from SB to fuse holder and SS (3,5 on Redarc diagram)
6. Add Circuit Breaker between AB+ and loads
7. While the AB+ cable is off, add the short positive cable from AB to fuse holder and SS (3,6,7 on Redarc diagram)
8. Take advantage of the pushbutton option...get a button and inline fuse wire. Connect as shown in the third option of the wiring diagram.

This seems deceptively easy. What am I missing?