Stupid second battery question?

[kcjaz]

Without a fridge, and no real plans on adding one anytime soon, plus I have yet to do any significant camping out of the rig. The most is at something like LCDC in a tent close to what ever town the event is in and if I'm doing that is is just me and a buddy or son with cell phones and maybe a laptop to charge. If we are charging something, the truck is running. I carry several battery backs for phones, etc and a Noco jump starter. Electrically, I have added an ARB twin compressor, a warn winch, and plan to add a ham radio and maybe cell phone booster before LCDC this year. I am still using a Toyota lead acid battery which has a lot of life left.

I am not seeing any real reason to go dual battery yet. Thought/comments/advice.

 

[RobW0]

Without a fridge, and no real plans on adding one anytime soon, plus I have yet to do any significant camping out of the rig. The most is at something like LCDC in a tent close to what ever town the event is in and if I'm doing that is is just me and a buddy or son with cell phones and maybe a laptop to charge. If we are charging something, the truck is running. I carry several battery backs for phones, etc and a Noco jump starter. Electrically, I have added an ARB twin compressor, a warn winch, and plan to add a ham radio and maybe cell phone booster before LCDC this year. I am still using a Toyota lead acid battery which has a lot of life left.

I am not seeing any real reason to go dual battery yet. Thought/comments/advice.

I agree, do not see a real reason for a second battery. You could consider a Jackery or something like that for charging or running things around camp.

 

[CharlieS]

I wouldn't add the extra complexity in your situation.

Sounds like you have a Noco, which can be used to self jump, help others, and charge mobile devices/tablets. Perfect.

I have a dual battery setup and it's really overkill/a lot of unnecessary complexity. It is great when on extended trips with long periods of sitting with the fridge plugged in, otherwise it is a just a lot of weight, parts & money for no significant benefit.

 

[82SC]

get a Jackery or rockpals large power station. That’s perfect for your needs. And can even pair it with a small Solar blanket.

 

[TheComedian]

Don't all 200s come with two batteries?

 

[tbisaacs]

Don't all 200s come with two batteries?

No

 

[82SC]

The diesels do.

 

[RET2]

Without a fridge, and no real plans on adding one anytime soon, plus I have yet to do any significant camping out of the rig. The most is at something like LCDC in a tent close to what ever town the event is in and if I'm doing that is is just me and a buddy or son with cell phones and maybe a laptop to charge. If we are charging something, the truck is running. I carry several battery backs for phones, etc and a Noco jump starter. Electrically, I have added an ARB twin compressor, a warn winch, and plan to add a ham radio and maybe cell phone booster before LCDC this year. I am still using a Toyota lead acid battery which has a lot of life left.

I am not seeing any real reason to go dual battery yet. Thought/comments/advice.

If it's not broke don't fix it they say.

 

[kzj70]

Thanks for this thread as I’d been contemplating which battery to use in my GRJ78.
Can I ask a question about the ARB loom /wiring the switch. I don’t need the locker link, purely for tire inflation so I’d like to not have loads of wires I don’t need. can anyone tell me what I need or a simpler wiring method for a Toyota style dash switch for on/off for tire inflation, Thanks

 

[grinchy]

On the air compressor side of the plug it is purple and black. On the switch side it is red and black. If you want switch illumination that is red/yellow and blue/white (blue/white is illum -)

 

[CharlieS]

Thanks for this thread as I’d been contemplating which battery to use in my GRJ78.
Can I ask a question about the ARB loom /wiring the switch. I don’t need the locker link, purely for tire inflation so I’d like to not have loads of wires I don’t need. can anyone tell me what I need or a simpler wiring method for a Toyota style dash switch for on/off for tire inflation, Thanks

I don't have a diagram or anything handy, but it is easy enough to prune out all of the wires that aren't needed and are unused. I did it for mine a couple of years ago, and it has been working since. You'll want to keep the relay, and the pressure switch that triggers it, and make sure you keep a sufficient fuse inline to the main power wire (I cut the ARB one out and used a bluesea midi fuse, since I have a bank of them and one was available).

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Absolutely no reason to add a second battery based on your use case.

I've had dual batteries in my previous truck, and I would not do it again unless I was planning to be on the road (with a fridge and other electrical accessories) for several months in one go.

Even if I was using a fridge for weekend-warrior duties, or occasional two week trips, I would not install a second battery. A portable, lithium unit like the Goal Zero 1000 is what I would spend my money on.

 

[DRRichey]

Absolutely no reason to add a second battery based on your use case.

I've had dual batteries in my previous truck, and I would not do it again unless I was planning to be on the road (with a fridge and other electrical accessories) for several months in one go.

Even if I was using a fridge for weekend-warrior duties, or occasional two week trips, I would not install a second battery. A portable, lithium unit like the Goal Zero 1000 is what I would spend my money on.

Thanks for this. So theoretically I can add a fridge powered by the GZ or Jackery which can be charge from the vehicles 12v supply while driving?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Thanks for this. So theoretically I can add a fridge powered by the GZ or Jackery which can be charge from the vehicles 12v supply while driving?

Exactly that, yeah.

 

[sherman]

I really like the EcoFlow batteries, especially the EcoFlow DELTA mini. It's currently on sale for $749 and it has a flat top for packing things on top and pass-through charging. Best of all, it charges very quickly.

Buy EcoFlow DELTA mini Portable Power Station - EcoFlow US

Official EcoFlow DELTA mini: ✓ Capacity：882Wh ✓ AC Output: 1400W. Click to learn more!

us.ecoflow.com

 

[CharlieS]

Or less than $20 of wire and terminals, but whatever makes more sense to the person using it.

 

[kzj70]

@grinchy and @CharlieS thank you.

 

[yonah]

@kzj70 I say don’t bother with a dual setup.

I had a group 31 AGM in my previous truck. Camped in it probably 50-60 nights, maybe more, while living out west. Never had an issue running my fridge 24/7 in that vehicle. The truck always started, but like you, I had a jump pack as a back-up. Recommend running the Toyota lead acid until it croaks and then looking at an AGM if it would fit your use case.

 

[RandyDaytona]

Does the need for that extra power depend on the fridge?

I ask because I have an old Norcold that I leave running 24-7 in my work truck from April to October. The truck still starts after a 3 or 4-day weekend. Do newer fridges use that much more power?

Mine is actually a freezer and it’ll make ice. I just have it dialed back a bit.

 

[kcjaz]

@kzj70 I say don’t bother with a dual setup.

I had a group 31 AGM in my previous truck. Camped in it probably 50-60 nights, maybe more, while living out west. Never had an issue running my fridge 24/7 in that vehicle. The truck always started, but like you, I had a jump pack as a back-up. Recommend running the Toyota lead acid until it croaks and then looking at an AGM if it would fit your use case.

Yeah, that’s the plan. I have a group 31 AGM sitting on a trickle charger waiting for the lead acid battery to die. I should have waited to get the AGM though. I will find out how much the battery degrades over time on the charger. It’s been over a year already and it still shows 99% SOH which is what it was when I bought it.