My 3rd Battery setup

[lumpy70]

Nothing really new or innovative here. I've got a 1993 HDJ81 with 2 batteries in it already, but can kill them with my ARB if parked for more than 2 days.

I used a telecom NSB170 battery, good for 170 ah. I work for one of the large Canadian telecom providers so I don't know how much they cost new, and don't want to know, but it was cast off for sitting too long without being on a charger. It is HEAVY at 128 lbs. Dimensions of the battery are 5" x 22" x 13".

I built a bracket/holder for it to sit behind the back seats, in front of my drawers: fits perfectly.

I used Anderson Connectors for ease of maintenance. It's all mounted on a piece of 1/4" UHMW.

 

[lumpy70]

I used a Master Disconnect switch to isolate the Aux battery when camping so the fridge or whatever is on the Blue Sea fuse panel doesn't drain the starting batteries. I just have to remember to turn it off then on again.

In the future I'll install a relay to charge the Aux battery when the truck is running and isolate it when off, taking out the idiot factor (me) of forgetting to flick the switch.

My front 12V aux outlets are also off the fuse panel in the back and I have a little LCD Voltmeter which plugs into one of the sockets so I can monitor the voltage. When the truck is running the Aux battery is charging at 13.7V, I flick the switch at the back and the Aux battery reads 12.4V...so I know its working correctly!

Craig.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Really nice job. I'm in the middle of the same idea, except I added a 2nd alt to charge the 3rd battery. I hadn't thought of putting it where you did. Next time I've got a day in Calgary could I PM you and see your truck? Be interested where you sourced all the connectors/plugs etc. Is that battery an AGM? The reason I ask, is I've been looking at all things AGM, I'm not sure I want a battery quite that large, but free is always good!

 

[lowenbrau]

I think you must be missing a ground wire from your aux battery on your drawing.

EDIT... maybe not

 

[cody c]

Looks purty good craig. Gotta love having access to heat shrink label makers!

 

[lumpy70]

Really nice job. I'm in the middle of the same idea, except I added a 2nd alt to charge the 3rd battery. I hadn't thought of putting it where you did. Next time I've got a day in Calgary could I PM you and see your truck? Be interested where you sourced all the connectors/plugs etc. Is that battery an AGM? The reason I ask, is I've been looking at all things AGM, I'm not sure I want a battery quite that large, but free is always good!

Parts:
Anderson Connectors: MRO for about $6 each
Lugs: MRO or possibly Eecol for $1-$2 each
Label Maker: Eecol (but now you can get them at Home depot) $125
Clear Heat Shrink: Active Electronics $4
Battery is a NSB170ft
Battery Disconnect: Princess Auto ~$20
UHMW: bought at a Calgary plastic shop by a friend for ~$200 for a 4'x8' sheet
Blue Sea Fuse Panel: Ebay for ~$50
Digital Voltmeter: Princess Auto Surplus $6

 

[o8ko8k]

thanks for sharing. I am fighting with electrical right now so this gives me some ideas. BTW Nice FT-8800 Crossband radio! I have the same one. You may know or have done this, but i took some florecent yellow and orange model paint and a tooth pick and highlighted the indent on the knobs for vol orange and squelch yellow. Helps see where they are set, b4 that it was impossible to see.

 

[lumpy70]

Is that battery an AGM? The reason I ask, is I've been looking at all things AGM...

AGM, yes.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Parts:
Anderson Connectors: MRO for about $6 each
Lugs: MRO or possibly Eecol for $1-$2 each
Label Maker: Eecol (but now you can get them at Home depot) $125
Clear Heat Shrink: Active Electronics $4
Battery is a NSB170ft
Battery Disconnect: Princess Auto ~$20
UHMW: bought at a Calgary plastic shop by a friend for ~$200 for a 4'x8' sheet
Blue Sea Fuse Panel: Ebay for ~$50
Digital Voltmeter: Princess Auto Surplus $6

Thanks for the list, not sure what MRO is. hadn't thought of clear heat shrink, but it would make labeling easier.

 

[lumpy70]

MRO is a bit of a candy store for industry and hobbyist electronics guys. Virtually any connector or electronic thingy you can think of...not sure if they are anywhere else other than Calgary:
http://www.mroelectronics.com/mro/

 

[lowenbrau]

I forgot, it is a Gel Cell, yes.

Answers to a few questions...

AGM, yes. Gel cell no.
They can be mounted in any orientation but terminal down isn't recommended.
Cost is about $400
They make this style of battery all the way down to 40 A/H
Short circuit current is in the many thousands of amps. Probably wise to have a fuse in there (but I don't)

FWIW the MFR is now claiming silver batteries to have a 2 year shelf life. You scored on this deal.

 

[cruiserpilot]

So that battery has now gassing issues with being inside the truck? Are all AGM's/ gel cells this safe?

 

[lowenbrau]

So that battery has now gassing issues with being inside the truck? Are all AGM's/ gel cells this safe?

They are valve regulated so they won't gas unless they get drastically overcharged. There are two vent tubes that you can extend out of your enclosure if you want them to vent outdoors but industry has been using them in sealed enclosures without problems for decades.

The manufacturer is pretty confident they won't leak. They are approved as non hazardous freight for land, sea and air travel.