Where is your dual battery charger mounted?

[Ryno77]

Hey all,

I'm awaiting the arrival of my Redarc BCDC1225 charger and just wondering where everyone has mounted theirs?

The best spot for convenience looks to be on the side of the battery tray next to the newly relocated OEM controller but I'm worried about potential heat issues there.

I have also just fitted an ARB bullbar and it seems to have come with what looks like a bracket that is meant to be used to mount a winch. Seeing as though I don't have a winch I'm thinking of using that bracket and putting the charger behind the bullbar for the purpose of cooling. Obviously this will make the cable run slightly longer back to the 2nd battery but I think the cooling effect should outweigh the short cable run needed.

Also, I've used an ARB battery bracket and the instructions did not mention anything about the little relay box that sits on the inside of the panel where the tray is meant to go. I ended up mounting that to one of the clips that the fuse box lid clips on to. It took a bit of fine filing and one cable tie but ended up looking quite neat. The problem was that it could not be relocated far due to the wiring not having much length on it.

I would love to hear what everyone else's has done with the positioning of the charger?

Also, if you a using a non permanent solar panel how have you made it so that it is quickly and easily connected and disconnected. Ie utilizing the Redarc as the regulator instead of the regulator that might have come with the solar panel like mine did.

[Ronald85]

Im using the TJM battery tray and I've just used a galvanised plate and screwed it to the front side of the battery tray. Been there 3months so far and no issues using the Redarc BCDC1225.

[MLTZER]

Wow you beat me too it.... I was going to ask the exact same question for the same charger. (In also waiting for delivery)

Because I'm impatient i have already fitted the ARB battery tray and the battery, I originally did think of putting it next to the ECU on the tray but like you I thought about the heat.

At the moment I'm thinking of fitting it on the 1/4 panel next to the starter battery, it's up high and the battery should shield it from heat

[DeadlyBeast]

Ryno - what model hilux are you installing the 1225 into? Your shed says its a 2000 but you have posted this in a "Post 2005 Hilux" thread section.

[Ryno77]

Sorry, It's a 2010 D4D dualcab. My shed has been updated.

[DeadlyBeast]

No worries.
I have installed my BCDC here to help cool the unit and maintain output.
The blokes at ARB Darwin recommended to install here for those who live in the tropics/high temperature areas.
According to redarc if the unit is mounted in the engine bay where ambient temps go over 55C the unit will "de-rate output current" - this is quoted from the 1225 manual.


No need to mount here if you mostly travel in more temperate areas

[Ryno77]

No worries.
I have installed my BCDC here to help cool the unit and maintain output.
No need to mount here if you mostly travel in more temperate areas

Is that an off the shelf bracket or something you made up? Also what cable is the correct size? I have access to much 6mm twin core from Tycab but haven't seen the same product in 8mm or anything before.

[Qwerty]

mines off the side of the aux battery tray, directly in the heat of engine, and thus far hasn't really missed a beat ... but it IS too hot I am sure of it, just haven't gor around to moving it.

I put some heat shielding on it, but i doubt it helps.

Only a few times, on 42c days, labouring in soft sand at slow speed on beach for many km's, has the redarc actually turned itself off (thermal protection).

[DeadlyBeast]

Yeah - I knocked up some brackets. Not difficult just a little time consuming. The Tee bracket attaches to one of the lateral brackets between the radiator and headlight on the vehicle. Can post a pic if needed.
If you go down this route move the unit a little further to the centre of the vehicle by about 10-20mm. This will make access and tightening of the mounting hardware so much easier.

Go a little bigger than the original wiring - if in doubt go bigger. From memory the install instructions give recommended cable gauge. 8mm might be okay but nothing wrong with a little overkill

[MLTZER]

thats a great install DB! whats the size of the cables that comes out of the unit? looks like 6 gauge?

[DeadlyBeast]

Cheers mate. Still some work to do - yet to install a distribution block, solar relay, winch isolator ....where to stop!?
Its 10mm2 wire connecting to the 1225 wires so about 8 gauge. I used 6 Gauge to connect to the breaker/trip switches to the battery end terminals.

[MLTZER]

I have the same circuit breakers you have in the picture above, I'm hoping I'll be able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and use the breakers to also join the redarc cables and my 6 gauge cable

[Ryno77]

I have the same circuit breakers you have in the picture above, I'm hoping I'll be able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and use the breakers to also join the redarc cables and my 6 gauge cable

What breakers are these? I went and got some fuses but not really what I wanted.

[MLTZER]

I have the same circuit breakers you have in the picture above, I'm hoping I'll be able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and use the breakers to also join the redarc cables and my 6 gauge cable

What breakers are these? I went and got some fuses but not really what I wanted.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-DC-CAR-AUDIO-CIRCUIT-BREAKER-FUSE-40AMP-40-AMP-40A-/280593971322?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4154b4387a&_uhb=1

These

[Ryno77]

[quote="DeadlyBeast"]Cheers mate. Still some work to do - yet to install a distribution block, solar relay, winch isolator ....where to stop!?

What relay are you going to use? I have found a Britax change over relay that claims to be rated to 60A on the NC contact (solar) and 80A on the NO (Batt) contact. The problem with it is that it uses the large style push on terminals but I'd much prefer actual bolt on terminals for ring style terminals. I am sure there is a Bosch one out there like this but I'm not sure if it change over relay type.

Also, as you haven't done the solar relay yet did you run an ignition feed to the blue wire on the BCDC or just join it to the positive of the main battery?

[Tristy]

I was able to mount mine between the original battery and the inner side panel, it has also just survived a frontal collision

[MLTZER]

I was able to mount mine between the original battery and the inner side panel, it has also just survived a frontal collision

thats where I'm thinking of putting mine

[DeadlyBeast]

This is starting to jump off topic a bit - you might want to change the thread title to redarc BCDC or "All things 1225"

What relay are you going to use? I have found a Britax change over relay that claims to be rated to 60A on the NC contact (solar) and 80A on the NO (Batt) contact.

I used the redarc relay kit for warranty compliance. You should be okay with the Britax though

Also, as you haven't done the solar relay yet did you run an ignition feed to the blue wire on the BCDC or just join it to the positive of the main battery?

I can see there might be more questions so I have cut the below from my build.
There are 3 main wires:
BLACK - Common Ground
RED - Input positive -requires 40 amp fuse
BROWN - Output battery positive (Auxillary) - requires 40 amp fuse
smaller wires:
BLUE - Source select (for solar connect to GROUND or for for simple Aux 12V battery connect to INPUT POSITIVE)
GREEN - Remote indicator (led for cabin)
ORANGE - Battery type*
*The small orange wire needs to be connected to one of three locations depending on battery type:
**For Calcium batteries connect to 12V INPUT POSITIVE
For standard lead batteries connect to GROUND
For AGM or GEL do not connect

I now have 2 supercharge Allrounder MRV70 auxillary batteries which are hybrid lead/calcium batteries - both a starting and deep cycle in one. http://www.supercharge.com.au/product_detail.php?seq=97

**I called SUPERCHARGE. They said connect the orange wire to ground as this battery "seems to work best charged like a wet cell"

Have a read of this thread if you haven't already http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8642
Good luck!

[aussiefergo]

Gday,
I mounted mine in the same spot as deadly beast. Easy to get at, not much room ariund second battery and didn't take to long to make up a bracket
Cheers

[aussiefergo]

Gday,
I mounted mine in the same spot as deadly beast. Easy to get at, not much room ariund second battery and didn't take to long to make up a bracket
Cheers