Thread: Simple/robust dual-battery set-up?

Originally Posted by Samblers

I had a quick play and the optima d34 doesn't seem to fit with the original battery in place. May have to rotate both or shove the main cranker over a little to get both in there. Did others find this?

Yep, I pulled the original battery mounts, pushed the original battery sideways and dropped the D34 in (almost cost me a thumb nail).

It was a temporary job just to get things going - 35k later it's still like that...

I have the mulgo dual battery clamp... If I can get that in with the two of them I'll be sorted

just another vote of confidence for traxide (its not like he needs it) I have had an SC40 running in my boat for the last 4 years. It lives on top of the battery in a plastic battery box at the back and cops a lot of vibration (its a 6m ally) cops a lot of salty dampness and i never ever maintain it! It keeps running and working and i have the simplest boat charge system around. No more selecting which circuit i want to use or charge.. i just start and go.. Great quality stuff..

Steve

I got this, (Aussie made)
GSL Smart Battery Isolator 100Amp - 12v
from here,
Caravan Switches & Relays | Shop Online CaravansPlus

I did have a similer unit from autobarn but the contacts burnt after 8 months of being used very little. GSL also make a 150A unit that I would have got if I knew of at the time.
I used to have a solenoid run off alt but couldnt find a live when running/dead when not when I changed to internal regulated alt.

Some install pics of the dual battery system. Nothing too big or flashy, but hopefully reliable.

First things first, I equipped myself properly:


I took out the factory battery support and flattened the floor off with some wood:


Factory battery was able to be shoved sideways to accomodate second battery:


Theres two factory cable straps on the front wall of the battery box. I drilled these out and mounted a wood panel using the same holes and use this to mount the isolater (traxide SC80) unit and other electrical items:


Optima D34 came next. Secured with a front runner dual batt clamp (had to be butchered):




Cables run in conduit exiting battery box to rear through the factory gland:








Anderson plug at rear, plus accessory sockets in the back of the car:


A sheet of rubber matting was placed over the whole thing, lest the Mrs should get an unpleasant zap in the ass


Plus I left the circuit diagram on the lid, for reference:


Seems to be working OK so far, fingers crossed. Thanks for all your input

Sam

Hey Sam.
Great photo's. Thanks for taking the time to put it together. Did the factory cables reach the new location or did you have to extend them or replace them? Did you have the extra cables for joining the two batteries pre-made or did cut and crimp to suit as you installed?
My turn to do the same install is not too far away.
Cheers
John B

Top work Sam. Thanks for posting the pics, it looks great.

I'll be going through the same thing shortly when I order mine soon.

cheers fellas

I kept the original battery leads as they were, they reach the new location for the battery ok. the kit I bought from traxide came with some of the leads pre-wired with some of the others requiring soldered connections. I found that my soldering iron wasn't really man enough to solder these large diameter cables so it took a while and was a bit of a struggle. I also had some learning to do with the Anderson plug as I was not familiar with this or the terminals used... Time will tell if I got it right or not!

cheers, Sam

Another thing - the circuit diagram suggested running just one big fat +ve feed from front to back but i took advice and installed a separate additional feed (so that's one for the Anderson and another for the accessories in the rear). The accessory feed (smaller cable) I put a 20A fuse on. I just mention this as if id have done both at the same time it would have been a lot quicker