Dual Battery Setups! Let's see them! Multiple Batteries Thread!

Here is a how to for the power steering fluid location:
http://www.tctmagazine.net/july-2014-volume-7-issue-3/piranha-dual-battery-install


There is also the ATO setup:
http://www.armortechoffroad.com/2005-Tacoma-Dual-Battery-Tray_p_2.html

 

Cool I like the ATO set up! Does it work with the stock battery, dimension wise or I have to get different set of battery? What is the best battery for this?

 

I am pretty sure the ATO is specific to the Optima because of how it mounts. I used the Optima batteries because they have a great warranty (36 month full replacement) and they are sealed AGM (absorbent glass mat). I had o'reillys price match them at 4wheelpart's price for $199 each plus tax (and $20 rebate). There are other good batteries out there but these are the most available AGM battery on the market right now.

 

Thanks bro... Your been very helpful, appreciate it!

 

I like to help where I can. Good luck on your install and let us know if you have any other questions.

 

Looking to do all of this by this winter. Is there a thread, or can someone point me to a good website that lists and compares batteries. I've done research and looked things up. Just wondering benefits between deep cycle vs vrla (gel or agm) and whatnot. Any positive feedback is appreciated!

EDIT: I plan to run a lot of electrical accessories, but I am also going to be running ~2000 watt audio system by Christmas. Going to get a 270A alternator as well.

 

Check some link at first page

 

This thread would be one of the best resources.

 

Looks like I have more research to do lol. Thanks guys for pointing me in the right direction.

 

What is the reasoning behind doing a dual battery set up?

 

So that you can run all you accessories at the same time. Light bars, stereo, fridge, etc. battery won't drain as fast.
Keep track of your volt meter while your camping/wilderness/off-roading.
Hope not to drain you battery. Coz it might be hard to find some to jump start you car.

 

In case you do drain a battery completely, you can still get home with the remaining one.

 

This:

You have a main battery: runs everything a stock truck has... (most of the people use it that way) so you can start the truck all the time and do not use its power for other accesories: lights, communications, winch, fridges, etc...

The auxiliary or secondary battery is used to power independently all your accesories, this way you won't damage or drain the important battery (important cause it will power your truck) and you can charge it with the original equipment...

hope this helps!

 

How much other equipment can you add on before you would recommend doing a dual battery?

 

It's probably not a matter of how much per se, but what type of accessories and what kind of electrical draw it's going to place on your battery.

 

I'd agree with what others are saying but add that it is all based off what you need. Calculate the draw of all of the additional accessories that you have added or plan on adding and plan accordingly.
I added a secondary battery to my auxiliary setup because I wanted additional amp hour reserve so I have a total of 3, which is probably overkill, but it didn't add too much cost to the install and gave me the added security that I wanted.
There are many accessories that people add and then don't think about how it effects the system and end up stranded because they drained their battery.

I have:
Winch (only item on primary battery)
2x viair compressors
32" LED bar
6x led pods
Bed and canopy lights
CB w/ PA system
Interior seat warmers
12x 9w led rock lights (not yet installed)
Power for RTT
Engle fridge/freezer
(I feel like I'm forgetting something)

 

Good question! Well it's more like a peace of mind. If you know that your running a lot of electronic gear and your planing overland trips, you need extra juice.
Now if you don't. You don't need dual battery setup.

 

Thanksgiving Weekend was the right time to build an electrical box to go in the bed of the truck. I can put it into the back when I need it and take it out just as easily. It sits along the left side of the bed and I store the 2 gauge cables from the main battery (separated by a 500amp solenoid) in the small cubby by the tailgate.

• I have a momentary switch attached to a voltage display facing the tailgate so I can quickly check the battery voltage.
  
• There are five switches on top, I only use two for now. They connect to cigarette plugs, one facing the tailgate and one facing the cab.
• I have another socket which I'll use for the water pump.
• One cigarette plug is for the ARB fridge and doesn't use a switch. The other is for an electric blanket which runs up into the RTT.

It is pretty low profile and sits mostly out of the way, and the best part is it is easily removable.

 

I can't wait to see this in use.

 

I have question guys I just purchased a upgrade for my dual battery system from the t max to the blue sea ml- acr 7622 w the remote switch. My question is when the blue sea is charging both batteries does the switch flash until it reaches the appropriate voltage levels?
Also where did you guys mount your switch?
I am using the battery monitor from the t max which is cool. I just got to figure out where to put the switch....hmmm.