**IBS GROUP BUY** Ends March 23**CLOSED**

do ett

 

i am not sure.

 

Count me in if/when it happens

 

Okay so the IBS kit comes with 4ga wire. But it is also welding wire which is rates for a larger amp draw then normal. I had no issues crimping or terminating the ends where I needed them and the wire is super flexible.

 

Yes I do. It's worked pretty well but I have to reboot it occasionally. I jumped the truck off the secondary battery multiple times when the POS Optima Yellow Top died. It does what it's designed to do. The LED gauges are nice to have. I have a fridge that runs on the 2nd battery 24/7 so I check the charge level often. I can't answer the wiring gauge questions but I've had no problems in the three years I've owned it. Like I said earlier, sometimes I have to unplug the controller to reboot it. Perhaps the newer controllers have better firmware?? It's not a big enough issue to not recommend the system. It's saved me so I can vouch for it.

 

Oh god, I agree with this so much. The blue sea ML-ACR is 1/2 the price, is still a smart solenoid, has a cab control, and doesn't come with any unnecessary extras like the battery terminals, wire, etc that a lot will already have or will need more of/bigger anyway. Add a Peak DBI monitor to the ML-ACR for $21 and you still have $100+ left over even over the cheaper of those kits.

The IBS monitor only goes to 12.6V as well which is not 100% of AGM battery charge

 

thank you woods,

do you have pics, build thread, or install write up?

 

Sorry man. I never created a build thread. I never seem to have enough time to document anything. There are several guys that have the same setup on this forum and Expo so I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding great info.

Edit: found a couple of pics of the controller

 

thanks!

 

Glad to help. I've seen the Nationa Luna system too. It's nice. I don't think you can go wrong with either setup.

 

Here's a cheaper option as well if neither of these pan out

Westin 47-3800 Dual Battery System

http://www.amazon.com/T-MAX-47-3800-Dual-Battery-System/dp/B0026JCNJE

 

I've looked carefully at both. They are both excellent quality, but the IBS seems to have higher load limits (200 amps with peak 500 vice 85 amps with peak 400) and is expandable to 3 batteries and solar. With version 8 software the controller should be better. With the RBM module that allows you to jump your starting battery, it's quite a bit more money.

I'm on the fence. Anyone used both and have a preference?

 

I jumped mine (IBS) without the RBM module. Not sure if that's a bad thing but I had no choice because I was alone in the middle of the woods when the primary Optima suddenly lost all cranking amps and died. I hit the manual link button and started the truck. No problems. Others may chime in with more info. The IBS system has been good for me.

 

Reading the IBS manual, it seems as though the RBM ensures that the contacts stay closed in very cold weather with a deeply discharged starting battery which prolongs the life of the IBS relay. So that would explain your positive results.

 

I'm running the IBS battery management system with the ATO dual battery set up. I have no complaints.

 

Dang it. I may have to jump in on this...

 

Valid points, but the IBS goes up to 12.8V which I think is 100% for AGM. Also while possibly not worth the premium, I do think the Lumia and IBS have some clever features that the ML-ACR might not. For example I believe the Lumia will only connect the main battery to the alternator for the first 5 minutes after the vehicle has been started to ensure that battery gets topped off first. Small little features like that can be valuable to some people. That being said the ML-ACR has a higher current capacity, so there are always trade-offs.

 

Just a bit more info on the Blue Sea ML ACR 12v, 500 Amp. It's fully auto with manual override from the cab or the engine bay. Draws only a quarter amp for 20 milliseconds when switching, eliminates a solenoid, and it of course ensures your engine battery is fully charged before charging your secondary battery. Add a monitoring device for 20 bucks and you have a well thought out water resistant system at a very reasonable price.

The NL and IBS systems are way too expensive for a unit that's not sealed (water resistant). And the monitoring device for the NL system is too large and really doesn't have a place to mount it in our rigs. Nevertheless, all 3 systems have their positives and negatives (no pun intended) -- I'm just adding a it more info for everyone to ponder before dropping their hard earned coin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_oKQ_N8_EY