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

You should be fine grounding to the frame under the bed. Your current draw (load) is not very much, and won't overwhelm the ground strap.

Make sure to fuse the power wire you run to the bed. Put the fuse near the battery. And secure the wire (zip-tie) to keep it from rubbing and wearing through the insulation.

 

I Had no room either so I put my switch in the wheel well below the battery. It's been there several years with no issues.

 

For sure, hit me up whenever. Mine are eventually going to go up for sale [dual g35 agm], so I'll keep you in the loop.

 

Awesome! Im getting my D250SE ready to install.
I have:
2x 100w Renogy solar panels
12 awg solar wires
Group 24 (62ah) deep cycle battery
Blue sea 6 fuse panel

still need some aluminum to mount it all on, a plan for all of it, 2x 30amp breakers, some 10 awg wire, battery monitor/shunt,and time haha.

My fridge and bed lights will be running off of the battery. I am hoping the 200w of panels can keep it juiced, and if not, the alternator input. it's turning into a winter project for me. But slow and steady wins the race haha.

 

@fatfurious2 I was about to pull the trigger on two 100w Renogy panels but with my roof box on the cap I only had space for a single 100w panel. I could have thrown my Thule bars on the cab and mounted both panels there but decided to go with a single 200w one. It's obviously bigger than a single 100w but less than two and it'll fit on cap beside the box.

Idk your set up/footprint limitations but food for thought?

 

I already have a 100w and the 30a controller that came with the kit i got a few years ago.

I have a decent sized footprint/setup..

 

Nice!

 

ANYBODY running LiFEPo4 batteries under the hood? I'm super intrigued by the Aussies doing this.

https://youtu.be/LruDUVnmdN0
https://youtu.be/jKg8wxDUBV0

just a few amongst the noise on YouTube. thoughts?

 

I have a hard time knowingly subjecting my battery that costs 10 times a lead acid battery to high temperatures.

it might work for a while, but the data says you won’t get 3000 cycles.



https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/wevj/wevj-07-00025/article_deploy/wevj-07-00025.pdf

 

I have the VL65.
I added a group 35 on passenger side and the other is a group 27.
With them tied together I've gone 4 to 5 days and the truck started fine.
This was in 80-90deg days running 5 deg and 36 deg, dual zones.
I have the stuff and will soon replace stock battery with 2 group 35's and a blue sea switch/separator for a total of 3 group 35s.
So I'll have 2 of them tied together as my aux and 3rd will be separate and the starter bat.
My group 35s are agm 65amp and I also have the special fuse so it charges correctly for agm.
I also carry a jump starter.

 

funny thing about that data is that it isn’t matching real world experience. Thoughts?

 

Data exists only to be manipulated for the users end goal. See any press conference for proof of that in action.

Just to pipe in on house battery choices, I have been using an 80ah wheelchair battery for the last couple years. It's supposed to handle complete discharges to 0% without damage. Running Engel and ARB fridges at the same time, I have never run down further than 35ah overnight. I have a 315w solar panel that charges it up to 100% within 2-3 hours.

 

Is there any benefit/detriment to adding a second battery with no other major upgrades like lights, campers, (whatever else eats up battery life)?

 

This is my Dual Battery set-up that I recently completed. I think it's a really cool/ unique set-up. The battery is a Victron 115AH AGM, the charge controller is a Renogy DC-DC charge controller with MPPT, and all my major wiring is 4awg and my fuses are 60amp.

 

If you aren't running ancillary gear like a fridge, camp lighting, winch etc, I don't see much of a reason to incur the expense of a second battery.

That being said, a second starting battery with a relay setup would allow you to start your truck without the need for someone else around with a set of jumper cables.

 

Where did you pick up that Victron battery? 115ah in that footprint is pretty good.

 

I got mine from a friend at Access Power Solutions, but I do believe there is a couple companies out there that can also ship to you. Search Victron 12v115ah AGM, you should see some options.

 

Yeah, right after I posted that I did a search and found a couple suppliers. I like victron gear...I've used their charge controllers and monitoring solutions for years but never their batteries. I might have to go with one of those when my existing battery goes south.

I've seen used telco batteries on craigslist over the years for pretty good prices. They are usually worth it since they spend their entire life trickle charging and never discharging and are usally in good shape when they get pulled out of service.

 

Totally agree. I used to manage a battery store and these telecom batteries are great for unique space requirements and overall, very good quality AGM batteries. They are often used in hi-end boats and Yacht, surprisingly haha.

 

Yes they are. Now it's time to find some of those good used batteries. The wheelchair battery I have been using for the last few years has been great but the narrow telecom battery has bme thinking. I just picked up a third gen that has the rear cab plastic removed and one of those would fit nicely...and give me another 30ah.