Thread: My answer to where to put the dual battery system.

Maybe this thread would be better tittled 'Why I shouldn't be left alone with a tool box and time on my hands'

What started out a plans to build a fairly simple Dual battery box for camping has turned into something of a monster but I am fairly happy with the end result.

We use our Disco mainly for camping and pulling a windup van to National parks, beaches etc. the plan was to build a dual battery system that would allow me to run a fridge and other accessories in the wagon as well as charge the 12volt system in the van. the system in the van was already in place so one of the main aims was to use the same battery and box in the disco so it was simply a case of unplugging two anderson plugs and swapping boxes between the two if we were on location for an extended period and the van power was getting low. The batteries are both Century maintenace free AGM 120ah.
The disco already had a Redarc isolator installed that ran to the trailer plug when I bought it so that was a good head start.
As you can see I removed the driver side rear seat and built the box into that recess as it is the logical location for running a fridge and other camping needs. The box bolts into the original nuts for the seat and has worked out quite well although it was a bit of a nightmare getting the dimensions ring and locating the bolt holes correctlly.
Once finished every thing worked well but I wasn't happy with the charge coming from the redarc. Only about 13.5v at best. After doing some reseach I decided to add a Ctek D250S to the system to boost the voltage. Once purchased I contacted Baintech about the pros and cons of wiring the Ctek through the Redarc and was advised that I would get better results from it if I wired it directly to the start battery. It was then suggested that I could leave the redarc in place as well and run it to the van. After further discussion with Peter from Baintech I decided to run both systems to the battery box in the Disco and have then swappable with anderson plugs then run a line down to the trailer mount as well so that by simply swapping two anderson plugs at the battery box I can run either battery of either system depending on which one needs the stronger charge at the time. Peter was a great help and even rang me back in the afternoon to see what I had decided and how it had gone. You don't get service like that very often any more.

Anyway the end result is that the ctek is charging at about 14.5volts now and I have a heap of versatility in how I can use the system for camping.
I know its a lot of overkill but I can't help myself when I start something and I am happy with the end result.

the scary thing is I still have another 6weeks before I am back at work and way to much time on my hands to start playing with other projects.

Oh dear... My apologies....I'm looking at two posts and have confused your excellent build - with another post "Draws" that has an equally excellent installation of rear draws into a TD5 with a rear seat replacement.
Again - my apologies