3rd gen dual battery

You'll probably be able to fry an egg on it half way through the first tire.

 

You're right. I was looking at the 250 to combine batteries with the option of a solar charger but the side bar of their site said this one was "best" and was looking for a comparison. I learned about the CTEK stuff from @Crom setup: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-getaway-croms-build-and-adventures.362772/

I noticed this was lacking the same apples-to-apples comparison as well.

Thank you for your insight.

 

Apparently I've got some reading to do. Does anyone have a link to a thread or article on dual battery setups and switches?

 

Dragging up an old thread. In regards to CTEK 250 S vs. ML-ACR, if you are running different battery types, say stock lead acid for starting and an AGM for powering camping gadgets, wouldn't the CTEK be better a better choice? I see they also have a smart alternator version. TIA.

 

i did mine in my 15 behind the seat. everything including the battery was $400 or so

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ts-see-them-multiple-batteries-thread.295653/

Start at page 1

It can be done for less. As far as time vs money goes, you should purchase the already fabricated brackets/battery holders. This would take you the most time to design and build. Everything else is fairly simple (although expensive).

You can also shop around for deals. I paid $164 for my Blue Sea ML-ACR less than 6 months ago.

I hope you are not paying $300 for the BS ML-ACR. What model number is in your kits?

Your kits look nice. If there was one for the Tundra I would have gladly purchased it.

 

I am going to guess the most expensive part of your kit is the aluminum; especially with the tarriff.

Minus the mount that I purchase (ATO side-by-side dual battery mount) I spent roughly $200 piecing together an exact kit. With two Optimas, I will be roughly $100-$150 LESS the cost of this kit alone.

There are better ways to achieve this without dropping $$$ for the same result.

 

My plan is to put a 100AH solar power station inside a portable toolbox in the bed and run 2 AWG cables from the front to an ML-ACR which then goes to the solar station.

All in all it should be about $4-500 total with cheaper components than I went with.

I'm working on a writeup for the power station.

 

I was just thinking about this too. I have this solar charge controller on a lithium 100ah 12v battery in the in bed:

Zamp Solar 30-Amp Solar Charge Controller, Monitor, Regulate and Protect your Batteries

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T36XBKI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does anyone know if it can handle a charge from a stock battery?

 

I built my own system for a bit cheaper than $900 mentioned but still used a Power Tray and Off Grid Engineering's battery tray. I used CTEK D250SA to charge the AGM battery and provide the isolation instead of the smart relay. The problem with the stock Tacoma alternator is that it doesn't provide enough voltage to properly charge an AGM battery.

The D250SA has an option for solar input and has MPPT. I paid $237.88 off ebay for it with free shipping. Battery is 50-55Ah and is charged at up to 20Amps via the CTEK

 

Very nice setup. I saw the CTEK D250SA on another thread but it is only for lead acid batteries and I have a Li. Know of something that will work with it?

 

Not familiar with Lithium Ion - for the cost they typically don't make sense for automotive applications. Expensive chargers and batteries don't make up for the smaller size/weight.

D250SA supports regular lead acid and AGM via a jumper.

 

My vote goes to @genesisoffroad and there dual system. Price is VERY competitive and they normally have everything in stock and ready to go without having to wait weeks or months (yes months....) genesis stuff is top notch and will be in my rig before next season. Just my $.02

 

I think I need a second job to do everything I want to get done to my Taco!

 

That’s a good plan...

I haven’t even had mine a year yet....

Or just get off this forum now and never look back. Without TW I would never have spent money like this hahaha

 

I have way too many expensive hobbies. And with my health the way it is a second job is just not happening. But very fun to watch the builds.

 

Price is very close to doing it yourself
https://www.genesisoffroad.com/TacomaDualBatteryKit-p/172-ttdbk.htm - $529 + shipping ( +maybe tax)

My setup (I optionally got a PowerTray for the CTEK but originally had it mounted on top of the spare battery with $5 aluminum bar from HD)
$238 for CTEK
$222 for the battery tray
$30 for welding cables and crimps
Total $489 (tax and shipping included)

Pros of my system:
Better charging of AGM house battery (will last longer and charge to higher capacity)
Weight distribution across both sides of the truck
Easy to add solar in the future because of built in controller
I only had to purchase 1 new battery instead of 2 matched batteries (my stock one was brand new)

Cons of my system:
I need to use real jumper cables to jump my starter from the house if it dies
I have less house power because I can only drain 1 battery to 0% instead of 1 to 0% and another to 50% (or whenever the relay switches over)
More work if you are scared of electrical

 

That is very interesting and looks like a really good setup. I’d love to see a picture of it. Nothing wrong with a little DIY. I was worried about the weight distribution thing when I started looking at battery systems and was originally wanting a split system. The farther I looked in to it the less it mattered (to me anyway) I figure if i was 220lbs and driving my Tacoma it wouldn’t be much different than if I’m 175lbs and have the batteries on the same side.

Plus (and I never could find a definite answer on this) I would like to add a snorkel in the future, and a lot of the plumbing goes right where that second battery goes if you stick it in the passenger side.

Finally, interesting point about solar. I go back and forth all the time if I want to add that... i think it would be cool as hell. But I have NEVER and I mean NEVER camped somewhere for days without moving my truck. My stock battery powers my fridge for a few days and has low voltage cut off. I can’t think of a time when I would need to let my truck sit for a week without starting to change it. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when it gets here.

If and when I do get the Dual system from @genesisoffroad Ill be sure to write up my thoughts. So far all I can say is they have been helpful on here in answering my questions and concerns.

One last point. No battery can be drained down to anywhere even near 0% and survive so when doing your calculations for capacity don’t use that as a guideline... deep discharging or a standard battery is a killer. Think more like 50%. While they can go a bit lower it shortens their lifespan considerable. Starting batteries should not really be discharged down much at all. Difference in the plates and how they’re constructed.

 

I have the off grid one
Great system

 

Scroll up to post 30. I had some photos already