Dual Battery Management

[blupaddler]

I am an electrical novice. I am working setting up a dual-battery system for my 80.

I know Scott is using the Sure Power Isolator:

http://www.surepower.com/separator.html


Boston Mangler is using his super simple and cheap method. I like his method due to the simplicity. (attachment)


There is also the Hell Roaring system. Which I like b/c you can control the unit from the cab.

http://www.hellroaring.com/4wheel.htm



Then...there is the Ibs Dual Battery System that TJM makes. The unit appears to be fairly simple to my feable mind. You can also monitor both batteries via the LED lights (a bonus for weirdo like me). BUT this unit is rather expensive.

http://tjmbullbars.com/ibs.htm


Lastly there is the Power-Gate by Mobi Arc. There is no moving parts (?) and very little loss of power. These guys are local, and I have been meaning to go and talk to them. Just haven't yet.

http://www.perfectswitch.com/#





Basically, I am looking for assistance from all the other electrical gurus here that know a lot more than me. My knowledge is limited, but growing...slowly.



Thanks

[DaktariEd]

I use the Hellroaring Technologies unit.
Check out their website.
They have a lot of helpful artcles that deal with "how-to" issues...and the "boss" there has always responded to my e-mail questions...
HTH,

Ed

[Dave]

12voltguy.com also has a solution. I'll be watching this thread since I'm hoping to do a dual battery setup sometime in the next six months.

[Scott Brady]

Cool Robb. Good luck with this.

I am very happy with my simple solution, the SurePower 200amp.

[SinCity4r]

x2

[BajaXplorer]

Scott,
Are you using the 1314-200 or the 1315-200?
Where did you source it? I have had trouble finding a place to buy one.
BX

[SinCity4r]

I got mine from Wrangler NW. (re-labeled, same unit)
You can ring them at 800.962.2616.

I'm using the 1314-200 in my 04 4runner.

[Scott Brady]

Mine is the 1314 and was purchased direct from Surepower.

[BajaTaco]

No offense to Mr. Mangler, but I would definitely not use the manual battery switch method. I think it is too easy to forget to switch it and you will either end up with a dead starting battery (forgetting to isolate), or a dead auxiliary battery (forgetting to combine). Then again, most people probably have a better memory than I.

Having the in-cab indicators is really nice. It's a bonus to be able to see if there is anything going on that shouldn't be. And also nice to confirm that both banks are being actively charged when underway.

I think these new Surepower units like Scott has are tough to beat for the price. Very cool.

I also have really wanted to try out the new MobiArc. I think having that ultra-low resisitance would be a nice bonus for getting the aux. battery charged back up faster after a camp session with a deep draw-down. Definitely costs more though.

If it were me, I'd probably buy the SurePower or the Mobi-Arc. If money were no object, I'd be tempted to get the HellRoaring or maybe even a Xantrex with a visual indicator and controls you could put in the cab.

[asteffes]

I'm liking the Hellroaring units. I envision teaming that with two of the nice Odyssey batteries that Expedition Exchange is selling (or the Yellow Top I've had sitting in the garage for a few months.) But that's easily a $1k project using the fancy batteries!

Have any of you attempted an under-bed battery box? I want to avoid another battery under the hood for better weight distribution. I may talk to my fabricator friend about welding up a box that tucks between the framerails.