Here is my lease expensive simple and reliable dual battery system. The setup cost me $160 including the second battery. I have been running this setup for one year and no breakage (knock on wood).
Parts needed:
- 2nd battery of same amp.
-Battery Tray and hardware to mount it. (got mine from scrap yard )
-4 meters of 13mm cable for both + and – or 3m of red cable and 1m black
-2 Battery terminals if you use the original ones 4 if you want to replace the old ones
-2 Hella switches or what ever kind I couldn’t find a 2 way switch
-10 Cable ring terminals
-2 150amp fuses I got them from junk yard 2 for $2
Advantages:
- Run on one battery for 3 days and switch to the other to keep them fully charged.
-When Camping only abuse the second battery so the main battery gets to be used to its full expected life.
- Can connect main battery or the second battery or both batteries for winching.
-No extra load on the alternator so I retained the stock 55amp alternator with external regulator.
- No electronics to malfunction, break or get you confused in the bush
- If any and that’s a big IF of the two switches were to malfunction it can be by passed in 5 minutes and no extra parts needed.
- All positive lines are fused and safe in case of accidents.
- No cables running in the interior to complicate things.
Disadvantages:
- Have to open the hood every time to do switching (so its not for the LAZY ones )
- Long 3 meter positive line between batteries so “Experts” say it creates more resistance ( I have not noticed any weakness in this setup so far )
Enjoy
Parts needed:
- 2nd battery of same amp.
-Battery Tray and hardware to mount it. (got mine from scrap yard )
-4 meters of 13mm cable for both + and – or 3m of red cable and 1m black
-2 Battery terminals if you use the original ones 4 if you want to replace the old ones
-2 Hella switches or what ever kind I couldn’t find a 2 way switch
-10 Cable ring terminals
-2 150amp fuses I got them from junk yard 2 for $2
Advantages:
- Run on one battery for 3 days and switch to the other to keep them fully charged.
-When Camping only abuse the second battery so the main battery gets to be used to its full expected life.
- Can connect main battery or the second battery or both batteries for winching.
-No extra load on the alternator so I retained the stock 55amp alternator with external regulator.
- No electronics to malfunction, break or get you confused in the bush
- If any and that’s a big IF of the two switches were to malfunction it can be by passed in 5 minutes and no extra parts needed.
- All positive lines are fused and safe in case of accidents.
- No cables running in the interior to complicate things.
Disadvantages:
- Have to open the hood every time to do switching (so its not for the LAZY ones )
- Long 3 meter positive line between batteries so “Experts” say it creates more resistance ( I have not noticed any weakness in this setup so far )
Enjoy
