Thread: Dual battery controller which one to use

I had my auto electrician fit the Pirahna dual battery system and have been happy with it doing both the Hay River and Madigan Line trecks with no battery problems running a fridge and invertor as well as a host of other accessories like laptop and GPS. The link below will tell you more.

DBE150S-Micro - Default Store View

Traxide - DBC's - Just give Tim a call and talk to him, very helpful, good bit of kit and easy to install. I have the SC80 in my Puma.

I have used a RedArc "Smart Start" solenoid (SB112) for the past 4 years, first in my old Disco 3 and now in the Fender.

It works a treat and never had an issue with it.

Value for money at about $100 bucks on ebay from various suppliers. Australian made, no compromise on quality. Easy to install.

Cheers

I have been using the simple and cheapest and that being the solenoid which joins the two batteries when the engine is running.

A lot of people will bag this and I am at a loss to work out why.

I have been running this since about 1994 without a problem. I even switched it from my last vehicle to current one.

It is now 15 years old and still works great but because of its age I have purchased a spare which I carry with me when in the bush.

The photo was taken for other reasons but you can see the solenoid top right hand of picture.

Dave.

I've got Drivesafe's SC80. Great unit.

It's still on his site.
relays

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

I have been using the simple and cheapest and that being the solenoid which joins the two batteries when the engine is running.

A lot of people will bag this and I am at a loss to work out why.

I have been running this since about 1994 without a problem. I even switched it from my last vehicle to current one.

It is now 15 years old and still works great but because of its age I have purchased a spare which I carry with me when in the bush.

The photo was taken for other reasons but you can see the solenoid top right hand of picture.

Dave.

I'm curious. Apart from cost and simplicity, are there any other benefits to this setup? Please do tell.

If you want to go the way of Mr Whippy, Drivesafe has a 100 amp continuous duty solenoid for $36. I just put one in a mates car to isolate his Andersen connectors from his start battery when the ignition is switched off.

It's on this page.
http://www.traxide.com.au/relays_7.html

Originally Posted by omvanders

I'm curious. Apart from cost and simplicity, are there any other benefits to this setup? Please do tell.

What other benefits are needed? It does what is needed, isolates the aux battery when engine is off and keeps both batteries charging when engine is running.

If you wanted to use heavier cables you could wire up a switch to use if you flattened your starting battery, you could engage the solenoid and start off the aux.

As the way I have it, I have to use one jumper lead (positive to positive) when I have a flat starting battery.

Dave.