Jethro Registered User
Posts: 1
(9/2/02 7:24 am) Reply
Dual battery setup?
In my Surf, '94 SSR-G it has the standard dual batteries. Are both these batteries needed for starting the vehicle? or can I set it up with an isolator so I can run accessories off one, (fridge). Has anybody done this and what type of isolator was used? Thanks Jeff.
wizzer Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 47
(9/2/02 2:30 pm) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
Loads of people have split the batteries. You will probably need a bigger battery to start the car though (700cca or up) and a deep cycle for your accessories. I'm not sure what brand isolators are out there. But it all has been done before.
Re: Dual battery setup?
The main trouble with deep cycle batteries I am told is that they take an age to charge. 18 hours vs 2 hours for standard batteries?
Barry
Choccoloco Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 11
(9/4/02 5:22 pm) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
A couple of issues ago in the 4wd monthly they did a comparison with the deep cycle. If your not going to be always using it, it will probably won't be what you want.
I can find out what issue if you like.
Michael
Jethro Registered User
Posts: 2
(9/6/02 5:50 pm) Reply
dual batteries
Thanks for the info guys, it seems to get more confusing as I delve into it. The main problem is that it might only be used 4-5 times per year and am wondering if the expense to do it properly is justified; I was looking to do it cheap as possible...........Jethro
beaky49 Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 20
(9/6/02 10:45 pm) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
unfortunately when it comes to 4wd's there's no such thing as cheap
Sam Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 27
(9/7/02 9:16 am) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
Yes well said beaky!
And there's one thing worse a boat, dam I have both no wonder I am always broke.
Ralph Olson Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 42
(9/7/02 7:21 pm) Reply
Re: dual batteries
Jethro, my Surf has the dual batteries as well and we go camping out using an Engle fridge. For now I have purchased a small AC DC generator for auxillary power and emergency back up to charge the batteries.
A dual battery setup works well if you are constantly travelling and only stop for overnight. Stay longer in the one place and it becomes difficult to keep the second battery charged up.
what size motor are on those dc generators and what is the dc output. I was looking at those in a mag and I think they are a great idea. Are they cheaper or more expensive then a ac generator?
wizzer
Ralph Olson Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 44
(9/9/02 3:27 pm) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
I bought a new Robin R650 Generator for $928.00.
240 volt output is 500 watts with 650 peak. 12 volt DC output is 8.3 amps max.
I find running the Engle on 240 volts uses about 45 watts, that leaves enough capacity for a couple of flood lights and I can still use the 12 volt ciruit to charge up a battery.
As my Surf is an Auto I feel better taking the Genny to isolated places. If I get flat batteries, I can run the Genny for 1/2 an hour that puts enough charge in to start up.
Playfl
Unregistered User (grommet)
(9/17/02 12:46 pm) Reply
Dual battery setup
Hi . On your daul battery setup on a surf , one battery is for the starter motor and the other is for thr rest of the power in the surf . ln my case l moved the starter wire over to the left hand battery and made the right hand a deep cycle battery useing a soliniod of a ford xc
James Murray Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 33
(9/18/02 10:42 am) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
You say cheap - here is a real cheap solution for you if you only go camping a few times a year. when you stop for the night or for prolonged periods with accessories running, pop the hood and remove the EARTH lead from the passenger side battery, reconnect when you hit the road - that disconnected battery will never go flat and you will be able to start your surf's engine. If you want to add value to the idea, buy a $5 issolation switch (manual type typically used for boats), and install it inline to the EARTH side.
Cheers
James Murray
Kurrajong Heights.
Ron666au Registered User
Posts: 9
(9/19/02 9:43 pm) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
just be aware that $5 isolating switches are rated for 30A and the current required to start a car is in excess of 300A. That may be or may not be true, as I have yet to confirm this.
Ron
James Murray Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 35
(9/23/02 8:46 am) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
You may well be correct on that one. I know my replacement battery is a 750CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). I feel that the manual isolation switch probably isnt rated at only 30amps, since it is basically returning the full surface area to the battery when it is reconnected by the brass fitting. I will check it out though.
Cheers
James Murray
Kurrajong Heights NSW
Surfin Alec Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 25
(9/26/02 4:24 pm) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
I rely on my trusty 10mm spanner that lives inside the door pocket as my isolater. When I go camping I take the earth off one battery. A couple days later drive it for a while ( maybe an hour or so) then use the other battery for a couple days.
Have gone for a week and half doing this running my fridge. Havent been stuck yet.
Cheers,
Alec H
manyanna51 Distinguished Site User (10posts+)
Posts: 33
(9/26/02 8:44 pm) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
I run 1 battery for the vehicle needs and the second one for accesories( semi deep cycle marine style battery) I use a solanoid(HD) wired to the alternator warning light as the trigger. That way when the engine stops the current stops and the solanoid isolates the batteries, when you start the engine(only using battery 1) and the alternator starts to charge, current flows to solanoid to join batteries in parralel for charging. I have a switch to apply power from battery 2 to the solanoid if incase the starting battery is flat, when the switch is thrown again both batteries are joined. The setup only cost about $70 not counting the battery and works well.
Tom.
JamDonut Registered User
Posts: 7
(10/16/02 12:42 am) Reply
Re: Dual batteries
I'm actually running on one battery at the moment and after reading the posts here I'm wondering if that is such a good idea. Both my batteries died early this winter and I replaced one N50Z (450CCA) on the drivers side and left out the one on the pax side. The car has been starting with no worries all winter on the one battery.
Is this going to stuff anything up? Does anyone know which side the main starting battery is supposed to be on?
Will be getting another battery in the next few days me thinks!
Re: Dual battery setup?
either side will start your engine. the reason why they have two batteries in japan is so they can use cheaper lower cca batteries x2 and get an awsome cca. EG, two 450cca batteries make 900cca (cold cranking amps). CCA's are needed when temps are cold for staring the diesel. If you park your car in a garage, under a carport and you are not in Tasmania, you will probably be just fine. Dont sweat!
I have my starting battery as a 750cca battery, the other for accessories on an issolation switch (manual screw type).
Leon Registered User
Posts: 10
(10/24/02 9:22 am) Reply
Re: Dual battery setup?
Hi All,
I'm just fited a IBS dual batt system from TJM, cost me about $450. Here's the site for more info in this product. www.tjmproducts.com.au/pr...ttery.html
As for the Surf Elec system. The driver side batt runs everthing except the starter, (Fuses Box,Glow Plus, Radio, Fans, the lot) the altenator chargers only this batt, but when left as the standard wiring it charges the start batt through the connecting wire.
I used the driver side batt as my Aux batt. the IBS system uses a heavy duty solinod to isolate the two batts. On one side of the solinod I have put a h/d wire from the Aux batt and on the other side I put the h/d connecting wire from the start batt & the wire comming out of the fuse box (this contains the charge wire from the Alt, which were all joined together with a eyelet so it fits strait on.
Prity much what I've done is made everthing run off the main batt (start batt), and only my fridge and UHF run off the drivers side batt (Aux).
The beauty of this system is you can see what power your batts have in them when ever you what, from the dash mounted control panel. Check out the TJM web site above.
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies