wiring a dual battery set up

[pequiod]

looking into installing a dual battery set up with 2 optima yellow tops, and got some directions from a kit from painless wiring company on installing an isolator solenoid between the battery and the starter solenoid to do it. As i read through it, one of the steps calls for running a 2 or so gauge wire from the + terminal of the battery to the isolator solenoid and then another from the isolator solenoid to the starter solenoid. the rest of the wiring seems straight forward.

looked briefy at the battery cable in my 2000 LC that appears to run from the + terminal to the started in the engine block. look at the FSM for the starter details. can i tap into this wire near the battery and what gauge is it? 4-6? will that suffice? Any recommendations on other kits?

i haven't looked into it beyond this, so i probably shouldn't try this one at home...

 

[mthomp6]

Hi Pequiod,

I installed dual batteries in my 100. I would not "tap" into the factory wiring. Instead, use the battery terminal as the point of connection. I think the right "system" depends on your requirements.

For example, my requirements were:

- Charge both batteries when the engine was running and isolate when not

- Winch can be powered by either/both batteries

- For safety I did not want the winch connected to battery (power) when not in use

- Jump start capabilities

My previous 80 had a dual kit installed by Slee. I think this is an easy and cost effective solution for my needs, so i did the same in the 100.

Here is what i used:

- Slee 2nd Battery Tray

- Main Battery = Optima D31A Yellowtop

- 2nd Battery = Optima D34/78 Yellowtop

- Priority Start battery monitor

- Wrangler NW 200 amp solenoid

- 4 Position Marine Battery Switch

- 1/0 cable and relays


The wiring diagram can be found at www.sleeoffroad.com. I used the Priority Start only for convenience because it moved the terminal closer to the factory harness. It is not required to do the install. I have pictures I could email to you. (Sorry, but I dont know how to post them.)

Cheers,

-Mike

 

[hoser]

mthomp's picture:

 

[wantacruiser]

Wow, you're engine is so clean.

 

[i4c4lo]

Wow, you're engine is so clean.

Yeah coz he doesn't take it off-road! hehehehe

Amando

 

[mthomp6]

Amando,

Don't you read the forums? 100's can't wheel. hahaha

mike

(BTW - Thanks for convincing me that the 100 is THE LC to own!)

 

[drexx]

14Jun2005 (UTC +8)

Used the http://www.rotronics.com.au/ for my UZJ-100. Importing from AU to California was easy. This is an old pic, but the only one I got of the moment of the engine bay: http://www.pbase.com/drexx/image/13128773

The little control and monitor box was installed below the ARB locker switches, as shown here:
http://www.pbase.com/drexx/image/13128772 and http://www.pbase.com/drexx/image/13128771

The system works great in feeding all those little gizmos in a 2001 UZJ-100 The only time it failed was during shipment of the UZJ-100 from California to the Philippines. Both batteries were drained in the 1.5 months the 'Cruiser spent inside the shipping container.

 

[calamaridog]

I'm thinking about trying this product:

http://www.mobi-arc.com/whypgate.htm

 

[spressomon]

mthomp's picture:

Hoser, what type of battery clamps are you using in this pic?

 

[hoser]

That's mthomp's picture and cruiser. He was having trouble posting so I did it for him.

 

[mthomp6]

spresso,

They are AUDIOPIPE BTP-705 terminals. They were the only ones that i could find that had 1/0 input and 4&8 guage output.

Mike

 

[spressomon]

spresso,

They are AUDIOPIPE BTP-705 terminals. They were the only ones that i could find that had 1/0 input and 4&8 guage output.

Mike

Thanks for the quick reply!!! My battery gave up this morning....