Advice on Dual Battery Conversion

[Norm Mueller]

Howdy,

What dual battery systems do people use/recommend? I've been recommended a Smartcharge system at $600 - $700 fully fitted (sounds like a lot to me).

[rangieman]

i have a $30.00 solonoild it works for me but others will differ depends how techno
you wanna be

[mr_sav]

Send me $400 and I will set you up with an excellent system for $150, and you will still save.

kidding...

I use a REDARC Which is pretty cluey. However, I have also fitted a manual isolater, so I can override it, or if it packs in, I can depend on the manual isolater. So the Manual Isolater is wired in, but is isolated unless required.

The RedARC http://www.redarc.com.au/

will charge your main battery first, until is is charged and will switch over and start charging your auxillary.

I have also ran welding Cable to the front and Back of the Landy terminated to 2 Anderson Plugs respectively. Thus I can plug in Jumper Leads to the Anderson, or hook a jumper lead between the Trailer and Landy to charge trailer batteries, or I can plug in the 240v Charger via the Anderson to charge onboard batteries. All for next to nicks.

Hope this helps for ideas.

Cheers.

[slipedisk]

I put in, from a sparky that he had on his cruiser, 1x hella 5 pin spotlight relay, 2x 20A auto reseting circuit breakers (plastic type $7.10ea from auto traders @trade $) and wired it to (on my old bus) oil presure switch as presure builds up then opens charging circuit very very simple but works excellent. He had his on his for 4yrs and never had a problem.
Took about 1hr to fit ie solder joints and cable protection ect
PM with a fax No and I'll fax it to you (wiring diagram that is) if you'd like it.
Cheers

[drivesafe]

Hi Norm, if that includes the controller, battery, battery tray, all fitted then it’s not to bad.

If it’s just for the controller, then it’s way over the top.

What exactly are you planning to use your dual battery set-up for?

Cheers.

[Outlaw]

I'd look at a Traxide (http://www.traxide.com.au) system if i were you... the guys a landy fanatic and advertises on here :D

[Relay]

I run redarc too. I love it, it works and I've never seen one fail. I've been installing them for 2 years. I have seen one with a fried module, but that was because a panel beater decided to put the leads on the secondary battery around the wrong way. I've gotta wonder sometimes. But, that's just my recommendation.

[MickG]

I'd look at a Traxide (http://www.traxide.com.au) system if i were you... the guys a landy fanatic and advertises on here :D

Yep, second that, great kit and knows his stuff. I also run one of Traxide's headlight and spot light up grades....excellent;)

[Norm Mueller]

Hi Norm, if that includes the controller, battery, battery tray, all fitted then it’s not to bad.

If it’s just for the controller, then it’s way over the top.

What exactly are you planning to use your dual battery set-up for?

Cheers.

Yep, it's an all-inclusive price (just not sure about how much cabling is included to plug-in points in the cabin).

I want it for a fridge plus an inverter for running my laptop, recharging camera batteries, etc. We're doing a 4-5 week trip through December to NW Qld and NT, so it's going to be stinking hot as well.

[Norm Mueller]

I run redarc too. I love it, it works and I've never seen one fail. I've been installing them for 2 years. I have seen one with a fried module, but that was because a panel beater decided to put the leads on the secondary battery around the wrong way. I've gotta wonder sometimes. But, that's just my recommendation.

Thanks. I'll see if this is the same stuff. All the guy I talked to said was "Smartcharge", so I'll see where it goes.

[drivesafe]

Hi Norm, just out of curiosity, do you know what type of controller is being used and how it will work.

Cheers.

[harro]

Howdy,

What dual battery systems do people use/recommend? I've been recommended a Smartcharge system at $600 - $700 fully fitted (sounds like a lot to me).
Hi Norm, just fitted a system to my defender.
Down the back of Supercrap they have a kit for about $90.
Includes a VSR actuated solenoid (voltage sensitive relay) very similar to the Redarc, with extra wire for optional override switch.
Got back yesterday from 10 days up in the Gulf and no problems.
The Engel ran fine all night and easy start in the morning so must be working!
There are lots of different isolators but I stuck with something relatively simple because where we go there is to much at stake if she doesn't start.
Good luck and hope this was some help.:twobeers:

[Norm Mueller]

Hi Norm, just out of curiosity, do you know what type of controller is being used and how it will work.

Cheers.

I haven't had any real details yet. I have to go into Canberra (about 100km) on a workday to check it out. All I know so far is ballpark price and it's a Smartcharge plus deep cycle battery and installation.

[Norm Mueller]

Hi Norm, just fitted a system to my defender.
Down the back of Supercrap they have a kit for about $90.
Includes a VSR actuated solenoid (voltage sensitive relay) very similar to the Redarc, with extra wire for optional override switch.
Got back yesterday from 10 days up in the Gulf and no problems.
The Engel ran fine all night and easy start in the morning so must be working!
There are lots of different isolators but I stuck with something relatively simple because where we go there is to much at stake if she doesn't start.
Good luck and hope this was some help.:twobeers:

I hope I get the same service from whatever unit I get. I'll have to take a look at our nearest store...

[drivesafe]

Hi again Norm, which one of your vehicles are you fitting the set-up to.

The reason I ask is that some of you vehicles don’t need battery trays, just a couple of dollars worth of battery bracket and some cable. I suspect that you may be able to do it for about half that price ( I should have looked at your list of vehicles first )

PS unfortunately a Smartcharge could mean anything.

Now, obviously I supply this type of gear but that aside, again depending on what vehicle you are setting up, it might pay you to shop around.

Cheers ( just throwing a spanner in the works ).

[Norm Mueller]

I'm installing it in my 99 Discovery 1. It has a snorkel so there's plenty of room in front of the air box for another battery and the shelf is already there.

[Norm Mueller]

Hi again Norm, which one of your vehicles are you fitting the set-up to.

The reason I ask is that some of you vehicles don’t need battery trays, just a couple of dollars worth of battery bracket and some cable. I suspect that you may be able to do it for about half that price ( I should have looked at your list of vehicles first )

PS unfortunately a Smartcharge could mean anything.

Now, obviously I supply this type of gear but that aside, again depending on what vehicle you are setting up, it might pay you to shop around.

Cheers ( just throwing a spanner in the works ).

Thanks for the spanner actually - what can you supply for what sort of dollars?

[drivesafe]

Hi Norm, I only realised what vehicles you had would not need battery trays and such after my first post in this thread, so the quoted cost you got was a tad high

You’ll find a banner for my web site at the top of some of the pages here but the site is at

www.traxide.com.au

Work out what you want, add up the price of everything, + $10 for post then take 10% of the total for your AULRO member discount.

Or just ring me.

Cheers.

[Norm Mueller]

Thanks - I'll have a look.

[cookiesa]

Also fitted one from supercrap a few weeks back. Works a treat and is well sealed. Replaced the solenoid I had, only because the soenoid relied on your turning it off when using the aux battery and on again to charge. Also wanted to make sure the battery was always being "topped up" as I use to often leave the solenoid switched off for a week or so at a time. Have done a few weekend trips away and all is working well. (Aux battery runs lights, CB and Fridge)

[awabbit6]

I've installed a DualMate system in my Disco. Seems to work very well. They are a bit more expensive than some of the other systems, but I like it for the digital voltage displays, audible alarms and visible warnings. Other than these extras, it functions in a similar manner to most other systems. RRP for the DualMate is $299, but I found mine brand new on Ebay for $130 ;)

Here is the link to the web site for more info.
http://www.acecom.com.au/dualmate.htm

[Bush65]

I use the Traxide smart charger with the dual batteries in the disco. And use a solenoid to connect both batteries for winching.

For some fridges it would be worthwhile using a second smart charger to protect the auxiliary battery from being discharged too low.

I also use the Traxide lighting and spotlight upgrade. Both are good products.