Dual Battery Set up

[Smithyworld]

Hey

I am getting ready to install a second battery and was wondering if anyone would have the time to post up some steps as to how to do this. Photos would be awesome too however I know this could be a big ask. Anyway any advice would be much appreciated.

[Dr Jan Itor]

Simple.

1. Go to TJM, ARB, Pirana, etc and get a battery tray that is designed for the Hilux. This is important - don't try to save money by buying a cheapie.

2. Buy a Redarc solenoid and a deep cycle battery.

3. Run a red cable (minimum 8 B&S) from the positive to the Redarc to the other positive. Make sure you put a 100A inline maxi-fuse next to each battery.

4. Connect the negatives with matching black cable. You'll only need about 30cm for this part.

5. Done.

I haven't taken any pictures, but it's fairly straightforward. Let me know if you still need some and I'll go out with the camera tomorrow.

[Rich]

Smithy, Mate if you are really not sure what to do, buy the whole kit from somewhere like ARB that has everything in it specifically for the Hilux, including step by step instructions. About $400.00 or cheaper if you get a discount.

Rich.

[TOMUCH]

Smithy, I got the Piranah DBE180E system. It comes with straight forward instructions... Dr Jan and Rich are very correct in saying get a tray from a reputable place like ARB , TJM ect... have a read in the articles section of what can happen if you cheap out and get a kit off Ebay..... Use a good set of crimping pliers... you may be able to hire them if you don't have them... and DON'T solder the ends before you crimp them... unless you know exactly what your doing... soldered ends are very tough and do not crimp very well... they come loose very easily... spend a morning going over exactly waht you are gunna do before you start cutting and fitting... it will pay of in the long run...Good luck...Cheers TOMUCH

[Doinit]

Yo Smithy,
I went the Premier S/S battery tray, comes with destructions. Went the Trojan 27TMH 12v115AH battery & Redarc Smart batery isolator. I'm happy with the set up.
Cheers
Doinit

[TINTR]

I dropped mine off at ARB & picked it up 3 hours later. $500

[Doinit]

TINTR,

500$ ouch!!

[TOMUCH]

your a funny bugger Doinit...LOL

mine was just short of $300 for the isolator... but I have two AUX batteries...they are the Lifeline GPL 27T... 845 CCA and 100AMP hrs @ 20hr rate....each... good for starting winching and deepcycle..
See this site.
[url]http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvbatteries.php[/url]

they are good, but at $480 a piece they bl%dy well wanna be...Cheers TOMUCH

[Dr Jan Itor]

Geez! :eek: Did that $500 include the battery?

My costs were as follows.
Solenoid - $100
Tray - $135
Cable - $12
95 Ah Deep Cycle Battery - $250
Time - 1 hour
Beer - $20

[TINTR]

I hate it when I get ripped off!

[Dr Jan Itor]

It depends on your perspective. You paid for a "professional" to install it which gives you piece of mind that it will work first time.

I researched everything I could and then decided I could probably do it myself for less. My wife is an auditor so it's hard enough to spend on mods...

[Rich]

TINTR , The ARB Kit retails for $430 (probably talk them down some on that though), so $500 with installation is not unreasonable mate if they did a good job. At least if anything goes wrong with it, they can't blame it on the installation if they did it.
Rich.

[TINTR]

OK!!
Its not to bad when you look at it that way>Cheers

[Norm C]

If you want to do it yourself (pretty easy), get a Pirinah tray from TJM. They fit like a glove and come with full fitting instructions. Get onto Fridge and Solar
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/

He will sell you everything (includiing battery if you want, but more importantly give you good advice. Redarc (which Fridge and Solar sell) is a great isolator. I have a simple solenoid (cheaper), but the voltage sensing in the Redarc is worth the extra $30 or so.

[kazdan69]

Hi guys,
Hate to tell you this but the system I'm putting in has cost me $140 for 180 amp electronic isolator, $70 for 105 amp hour deep cycle battery, $13.95for solid brass battery terminals(from e-bay) $5 for crimp connectors, $40 for 500 x 400 piece 2mm stainless, $30 for ctn of Carlton Mid ( for folding and welding of tray- to my design) 5min of my time to scrounge 3 feet of old welding cable, $15 for battery clamp and 3 hours (I hope)to install all mentioned. I will post all with designs and photos when I get around to installing it all. I've been too busy and too tired with work lately to even consider doing it.
Cheers

[jogal]

I did the same as tintr dropped it off at arb and picked it up a few hours later mine cost about $700 but that was also a turbo timer fitted and the battery was a trojan 115ah works a treat with a fride and freezer in the back

[Duges]

Hey Kazdan, where the hell did you get a 105 amp hour battery for $70?!

[Smithyworld]

Thanks for the info guys. So far this is what I have come up with

ARB Kit $380 including tray
Battery Exide Extreme $193

TJM DBS Standard Kit $295
Tray $140
Battery Supercharger 105amp $175

Redarc Solenoid on EBAY $105 inc postage.

At this stage I think i am going to get a tray from either TJM or ARB. Still deciding between the DBS computer thingy from TJM or a Redarc Solenoid off the ebay.

1 final stupid question , where do you buy the battery cable from? Supercheap or somewhere???

Once I get all the bits I will take some photos for future "Do it yourselfers" who want a bit of a guide.

Cheers
Chris

[Dr Jan Itor]

.

[Dr Jan Itor]

Mate, there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Work out roughly how much cable you need and then visit the closest auto electrician to you. They'll be more than happy to sell it to you by the metre, and it's likely to be better quality than the stuff you get at Supercheap.