dual battery setup Q's

[lotust]

Ok So I have read a few posts here and over at TTORA and TS.

In this diagram do I need to wire up the IGN wire? what does it do? turn the isolater on like a relay?




Im going camping next month and would like to run a fridge like TacomaOffRoadGrl did here


fridge
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...-refigeration/
dual battery setup
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...ual-batteries/

[johnecon2001]

The Ignition wire tells the Isolator which battery to use. In essence like a relay.

[lotust]

rgr but what battery does it switch to ? or does it switch back and fourth from 1-2

[johnecon2001]

Dude, it shows you on the diagram. The #1 pin is the main battery that opperates while the car is running. As soon as the car shuts off and the ignition wire loses power the isolator switches to pin #2 the auxiliary battery.

[PiercedTiger]

I think what he means is that the ignition wire turns off a relay to the secondary battery. With the ignition on the alt should be connected to both batteries to charge them, and then disconnect the secondary battery when the engine is off so you still have that battery to start the truck. That way it "isolates" the secondary battery and accessories from the main battery. Main battery will still power clock, radio, ECU, ignition, etc.

That lets you drain the secondary battery, but still have the primary (main) to run the stock eltronics and ignition system to start the truck and recharge both batteries.

[lotust]

Originally Posted by PiercedTiger

I think what he means is that the ignition wire turns off a relay to the secondary battery. With the ignition on the alt should be connected to both batteries to charge them, and then disconnect the secondary battery when the engine is off so you still have that battery to start the truck. That way it "isolates" the secondary battery and accessories from the main battery. Main battery will still power clock, radio, ECU, ignition, etc.

That lets you drain the secondary battery, but still have the primary (main) to run the stock eltronics and ignition system to start the truck and recharge both batteries.

Right. So if I dont use it I will br draining both batteries? It might be nice to run that wire into the cab to a switch right ?

[tacomaoffroad]

this would be a really cool "just in case mod" for me, because i dont camp or live out of my truck that often. but if i had the money, i would probably look into this. its nice to tailgate and not have to worry about starting the truck up to charge the battery every couple hours. and setting up that switch that lets u use just one battery instead of both is an excellent idea. no need to worry about a dead battery.

[lotust]

Originally Posted by tacomaoffroad

this would be a really cool "just in case mod" for me, because i dont camp or live out of my truck that often. but if i had the money, i would probably look into this. its nice to tailgate and not have to worry about starting the truck up to charge the battery every couple hours. and setting up that switch that lets u use just one battery instead of both is an excellent idea. no need to worry about a dead battery.

Yeah I may just add a deep cycle battery to my current OEM battery. I just need to find a spot under the hood. If I had a custom cold air intake I could mount it over on that side.

[PiercedTiger]

Originally Posted by lotust

Right. So if I dont use it I will br draining both batteries? It might be nice to run that wire into the cab to a switch right ?

Right. The isolators are designed so that both batteries charge together, but can discharge separatly. You could do a switch in the cab if you wanted, but I'm not sure when you'd use it. I mean, if you're in the truck with the key in and engine running the alternator will be powering most of what you need with maybe the batteries absorbing surges like low bass from a sub.

If you were out of the truck with accessories like a winch, aux lights, fridge in the bed running then you're not going to want to kill the starting battery. You'd get a longer run time pulling off both batteries (since they'd run in parallel without the isolator engaged), but you'd have to monitor your voltage to make sure you didn't run them both down below the level needed to start the engine.

I have a dual battery setup in my car without an isolator, but the second battery essentially acts like a capacitor for my amp. It was cheaper than a cap and stores more power, but I don't have any other accessories drawing off that. The amp also shuts off with the car so nothing really draws on both batteries without the key in.

[6shooter]

i just have a jump box...........

[lotust]

Originally Posted by PiercedTiger

I'm not sure when you'd use it. I mean, if you're in the truck with the key in and engine running the alternator will be powering most of what you need with maybe the batteries absorbing surges like low bass from a sub.

.

The wife want to blow dry her hair while camping.

LoL thanks for your info brother.

[PiercedTiger]

Originally Posted by lotust

The wife want to blow dry her hair while camping.

LoL thanks for your info brother.

That's not camping!!! That's a cheap motel!!

Do you have a bigger inverter to run off the second battery? I don't think you can get one that'll run off the stock one... She'd be better off leaning over the fire! I don't think I've seen one under 1000W. Even the small ones.

Don't forget to get a big enough inverter to run her curling iron, coffee maker, air compressor for air mattress,.....


Either way, unless she's doing it while you're driving (and she could just as easily hang her head out the window....) you'll want the main battery isolated from the one powering the inverter and *cough* hair dryer. I'm assuming you'll be parked by a tent and she wants to dry off after swimming or whatever. I don't think you'll want to run the engine to save her from using a towel. Depending on how long she takes and the size of the dryer you could drain both batteries and be screwed. Just get a deep cycle and isolate them. (although getting stranded could be an argument in your favor on "why-we-don't-take-hair-dryers-camping"!

[lotust]

Originally Posted by PiercedTiger

That's not camping!!! That's a cheap motel!!

Do you have a bigger inverter to run off the second battery? I don't think you can get one that'll run off the stock one... She'd be better off leaning over the fire! I don't think I've seen one under 1000W. Even the small ones.

Don't forget to get a big enough inverter to run her curling iron, coffee maker, air compressor for air mattress,.....


Either way, unless she's doing it while you're driving (and she could just as easily hang her head out the window....) you'll want the main battery isolated from the one powering the inverter and *cough* hair dryer. I'm assuming you'll be parked by a tent and she wants to dry off after swimming or whatever. I don't think you'll want to run the engine to save her from using a towel. Depending on how long she takes and the size of the dryer you could drain both batteries and be screwed. Just get a deep cycle and isolate them. (although getting stranded could be an argument in your favor on "why-we-don't-take-hair-dryers-camping"!

LOl all good points but if I told her to put her head out the window how would I explain me buying a dual battery setup when she wants me to redo the bathrooms over

Im going to look for a 12v heater or hair dryer. I just installed one huge battery for now.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t209874.html

[PiercedTiger]

Nice. I may look into one of those myself when my stock one starts fading. How much was it?

[lotust]

Originally Posted by PiercedTiger

Nice. I may look into one of those myself when my stock one starts fading. How much was it?

97$ out the door or 89$ plus tag core ect.