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

I have heard that. I just don't know where to buy them around me. I have cows, and soy beans. Autozoner is everywhere and the warranty is without hassle. I'd like to go lithium and use those used hospital batteries. $175 for a 100AH I think. Don't quote me on that now...lol
Zim

 

I have a pair of Odyssey batteries and they are high quality although I think they are probably more expensive than they're worth. For my money I think the best value are the X2 Northstar AGMs from Batteries Plus. But I've also never had much trouble with Optimas in the past. It has been a few years since I've owned one, though, and I know the quality is lower now and can vary somewhat.

Lithium for a house battery makes a lot of sense and if you can get 100 A-hr for $175 that would be a steal. Something that big will go for $500 to $1,000 in other brands.

 

Yeah these are used from a hospital supplier, and very rechargable. You have to remember you'll have no idea how long the little lithium bubble babies will keep bouncing around making magic. LOL I'll find a link.
Zim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L43bArxyszU

 

I ordered mine from Amazon.

 

LOL...never thought of that. Selling batteries as long as I did, I'm thinking core charge and shipping. So no core, and I have prime. Holy shit I need some coffee. LMAO
Zim

 

LOL

 

Hey TW fam - the original OP of this thread disappeared a while back, and I volunteered to take over the OP, keep the first post updated and monitor this thread. Well, life happens and I feel I’m not able to give this thread the attention that it deserves.

Would anyone be open to taking over OP duties and do the TW community a solid? Thanks!

 

I'd consider it but don't think I have enough expertise.
Zim

 

I haven't read through this entire thread, but have there been any folks that have done a Lithium in the cab with a Redarc? I just recently purchased the Offgrid split with the Redarc 1225, but I am rethinking my setup and might be putting it up for sale (along with the new Full Throttle group 35). I am considering a 170ah lithium in the cab with a redarc 1240/1250 will be sufficient for my NL fridge/freezer for multi-day trips. I also have a foldup 130w solar panel that will be wired in.

 

You're on point here. I'm not going to use the Alt. or truck battery at all. I have no plans to camp in a storm, blizzard, or tornado so I'm not worried about lack of sun. These solar systems are running full size RV's for weeks on end depending on the battery setup. I'm not advocating using 6 200ah batteries at $5000 but a few would do ya.
LOL
Zim

 

While I'm here...
Zim

 

Scott you know I'm still giggling about this. I just picked up a platinum 24f 70ah. I think it will handle everything I got.
Zim

 

Nice setup. I figure one lithium in the cab will keep me going for the trips when I am just taking the Taco. I don't have the desire to add tons of lights or other devices, so the battery setup is just for the NL Legacy dual control fridge/freezer. I am already in the process of upgrading the trailer (2021 Geo Pro) that comes with a 190w solar panel on the roof - I am going with 340ah of lithium relocated to the interior of the rig. When traveling with the trailer, I bring along a

$1,088 Honda EU2200 ITAN 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator with CO-Minder - 49-State

Honda EU2200 that can power the AC (with a soft start system) for the hot days.

 

Holy brother from another mother. I'm looking hard at that trailer. I don't have the money for the Honda tho. I'm headed to Harbor Fright...LMAO
Zim

 

I looked long and hard at the HF generators. I already owned a

$1,088 EU2200 ITAN 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator with CO-Minder - 49-State

EU2200 and have had such good experience with it and the previous EU2000 that I owned, I picked up the EU2200 companion when I bought the Geo Pro. Having not done too much research or testing, I figured I could use the two EU's paralleled for the hot Utah summer trips. I quickly found out that even at 8k feet, one generator could handle the load, with only occasionally causing the generator to be overloaded. After adding a softstart, I only need the one and have not had an issue running the AC.

Oh well, after adding a manual transfer switch at home I now have a pair that can power a few home circuits if needed.

 

Very cool. How do you like the GEO PRO? Is it worth the money because the rest of the smaller campers are NOT..lol
Zim

 

I have owned a Starcrap and a Thor previously and they were both full of cheap/fast/easy manufacturing screwups and shortcuts. So far I have been impressed with the Geo Pro. I went over the rig pretty thoroughly prior to purchase and a more detailed once over when I got it home. I like the aluminum frame construction. For the price point I have been VERY happy with the construction/fit/finish. Yes the materials are not Airstream or Luxe (part of our retirement plan), but for the price it is a well made trailer. I now have almost 30 days of use since picking it up in August, to include two times in the snow and it has been great. I have the 15TB, as it fits the wife and I (and the 70lb pup) well for our camping style. Like I mentioned earlier - I plan on upgrading the battery system to Lithium to extend the offgrid capabilities, but always have a generator along just in case.

Sorry folks for the derailment of the thread.

 

Wow, thank you for that. I appreciate the input.
Zim

 

I want to add a DC-DC charger to my dual battery setup.

Right now, I have the main starter battery, and an sPod and other things going to that. I figure the sPod handles the electrical, so I wont be changing it. My winch and my cb radio are also directly wired to the main battery, but see little use (I should probably delete the CB). I also have a group 24 deep cycle battery in my bed with a 100w solar panel, 6 fuse blue sea, bed lights, and my fridge going from there. They are not linked. The solar is the main charging system for that battery.

My questions are:
what gauge wires should I use to connect?
Id like to get a CTEK D250SE, but Im not sure where I can mount it. Is it weather proof?
Also open to a RedArc, but same question about weatherproof?

TIA

 

I think you're perfect the way you are....wait....that sounded funny. LMAO. I'd leave it alone. If you keep the bed battery on the solar, and it's charged you have a way out of the forest if the main craps the bed. You may have spoiled food, but at least you can make it to Burger King 200 miles away. Ya Know? Nice truck Sir.
Zim