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

Theres a whole thread about this. Ill tag you. It will happen again.. sorry

 

Yeah, I've told my story of woah over there. Spared everybody my amature attempt to weld the crack closed, thin sheet metal isn't for amature welders lol. I'm going to have them check the cab's alignment when the core support is being replaced, I think a lot of these trucks are a little off.

 

Did you have to use the smart ignition cable? They say you need to use that if you have a smart alternator, which I believe the Tacoma does, but then it also says that unit has a voltage sensitive relay...which I thought got rid of the need for a smart ignition cable?

 

I did not use the ignition sense wire and it works great. I don't know if the ignition wire effects the charging amperage, but I have seen 11-12 amps charge with 14.8-15V at Bulk charge under DC-DC charge, no solar.

 

Here is a good explanation of traditional vs sensing alternator.

https://www.redarc.com.au/alternator-vs-fixed-alternator

 

Okay sorry, hopefully, the last novice wiring question. I'm planning everything out now and I'm wondering if I need to ground my house battery separately? The starter battery and house battery will both have ground cables ran to the Renogy DCC30S, is that all that I need to do for a ground on my house battery or does that need a separate ground cable ran to the frame or ground point in the engine bay?

 

I have always grounded all my batteries to the frame.

That way, you do not end up with a ground loop situation.

 

I hate wiring, but slow progress being made today

 

Review this link to see how the DCC50S is hooked up. The 30S should be similar. Although this is a blueprint for building a complete 400w solar package (including an inverter and a fuse box), you can still see how the DCC30S will be wired. Who knows, you may need it as a reference, for when you decide to expand your system!

I highly recommend checking out Will Prowse's website and his videos. He is a wealth of information and is able to explain technical information in a way that newbies can understand. That's why he has over 673,000 youtube subscribers!

 

I've seen many diagrams and all the YouTube videos on wiring up this unit (along with Will's). Nobody every mentions anything about having to ground the house battery separately. I just wanted to make sure that wasn't a standard or implied practice when using a dc to dc system/dual batteries.

So the positive and negative cables are the only two cables I need coming off my house battery (to the DCC30S) for everything to function properly?)

 

I found this thread on a van forum website. It's a short, but detailed discussion on grounding that should answer your questions. I can't vouch for their expertise, but they definitely know more than me.

 

Yes, only reason to run a dedicated ground are voltage issues (reference ground, volt sensing, etc.), high amp draw applications, ac vs dc system.

 

Another step done today. Almost ready to mount my bed panel.

*my sPod is not part of the dual battery setup*

 

what made you decide to use the sPOD over the SwitchPro or even the newest version of the Auxbeam?

 

I have had this thing for several years. Back when i got it, i think it was in the 700 range. I wanted to support a USA small business (at the time) Also, I thought the SwitchPro required more wiring? The sPod can dim/strobe any light attached, has Bluetooth built in, uses phone for the controller, and you can link/expand them/add controllers and boxes.

They have made awesome leaps since then) Was the first big electrical purchase that i made. Ive organized group buys to help others get the same service too.

ive had the 6 switch version, touch screen, and now just the standard button.

I like the customer service the best. Have my ARB dual compressor hooked up. While no diagrams for it, i was about to order their cable to attach. Called sPod, talked to the owner, and they had were able to save me from buying the specific cable, since I only use it for tires, no locker. Anytime i have questions with it, can hit them up and they get me squared away, even on weekends or off hours.

here's the dash setup:

im going to be changing things slightly, this summer, when i swap in a 12-15 lower hvac panel and get another switch space.

 

Right on!

Funny how all 3 now have all the same functions/features , BT, ARB compatibility, strobing/timers, expandable ect etc. Which makes it hard to decide on which system would be suitable.

 

oh, I didnt know that. That would make a difficult decision.

 

Hoses routed backwards on your oil catch can?

 

Don't think so. That's how they've been for a long time

 

Just thought outlet would've gone to the intake and the inlet would come from the pcv.