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AGM battery monitoring from the cabin

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by fake4x4, Feb 8, 2023.

  1. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:25 PM
    #1
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Replaced the cigarette lighter outlet with a Blue Sea Voltage gauge. Always good to know what your battery voltage is at when your truck isn’t running


    69CF9A5C-7F60-4F18-9AA0-0A4892CC2B4E.jpg

    48D6D4DD-BA86-457F-BF96-2BA29500C0B2.jpg
     
    shotgunbilly420 and JDKred like this.
  2. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:29 PM
    #2
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    I got the same thing in my 2nd gen, its really cool watching the alternator output voltage chance as battery demand changes.
    Did you also end up destroying the cig lighter while getting it removed.
     
  3. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:32 PM
    #3
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    Voltage is a good gauge when the battery is at rest (neither discharging or charging.) The bigger the draw, the bigger the difference between apparent and actual. Which I always found to be a good thing, I'd rather shut off my battery at an apparent 12.2 (only to see it bounce back to a 12.6) than to keep discharging at 12.2 and assuming I still have plenty left in the tank.
     
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  4. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:42 PM
    #4
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No I actually finessed it out this go around …. Murdered it on my 19 , got it just right on this 23
     
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  5. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:43 PM
    #5
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well this is on an AGM so it better not be in the 12s volts lol
     
  6. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:44 PM
    #6
    The

    The Well-Known Member

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    Shit I found on CL or EBAY that I could screw on.
    How much of a pain was it to install? I have a similar thing, but I have not installed it because it looked like you have to pull half the dash and all of the center console.
     
    fake4x4[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:47 PM
    #7
    JDKred

    JDKred Well-Known Member

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    I second that
     
  8. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:49 PM
    #8
    shotgunbilly420

    shotgunbilly420 OG Owner 249+ mi club/Tacoma enthusiast

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    I just use my aftermarket hu and a Bluetooth dongle with obd fusion. I do agree it's nice to monitor, could catch a bad alternator. Mines a 2017 og owner and I'm still rocking the stock alternator. Charges just fine .180k + miles v6
     
    fake4x4[OP] likes this.
  9. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:57 PM
    #9
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It’s easy , just need a pick tool, take off radio bezel , take off the 10 mil bolt by your right foot , pop that panel up that runs along the steering console….. then loosen the 4 bolts that hold the radio in place …. With the radio loose you can pull the AC climate and climate display panel out …. It’s clipped in …. There you can access the back of the lower panel. Learned this when I did this mod… it was for my pioneer head unit so I could have a HDMI in source and an auxiliary usb

    5167402B-3FDC-4B84-B098-9E594646F983.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2023
    shotgunbilly420 and The[QUOTED] like this.
  10. Feb 8, 2023 at 5:59 PM
    #10
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    well on my first AGM battery I would constantly top it off monthly since I didn’t have the proper charging voltage.
     
  11. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:01 PM
    #11
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Not bad …. 30 min if your familiar with changing a radio out , hardest part was taking apart the factory connecter …. Only a slight amount needs to be taken off of the factory cigarette lighter hole ….if your taking your time 1HR tops
     
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  12. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:04 PM
    #12
    The

    The Well-Known Member

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    Shit I found on CL or EBAY that I could screw on.
    1 10mm bolt? yeah still too much work...
    :rofl:
     
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  13. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:04 PM
    #13
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    If you guys wants pics I can clarify the hardest part…
     
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  14. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:05 PM
    #14
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    For most and even myself it’s not a necessary mod at all
     
  15. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:06 PM
    #15
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Or if anyone wants an oem Tacoma cigarette lighter and cover …. 30 shipped just message me and we can work it out
     
  16. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:25 PM
    #16
    Chuy

    Chuy Well-Known Member

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    Fit/finish looks nice but I’m too cheap for that. I have a voltage meter that goes into the power port. It is a DROK brand. Their current models add an ambient temperature reading. I have an older version with only a voltage readout. $14 on Amazon.

    A1C6C701-53D6-41A1-99E5-717359A785BB.jpg
     
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  17. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:27 PM
    #17
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I’m a perfectionist so I wanted something that looked oem
     
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  18. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:30 PM
    #18
    Kaptain_02

    Kaptain_02 2019 OR

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    Here's a cheap plug and play volt meter with charging USB ports. Perfect use of the cig lighter port

    Screenshot_20230208-212412_Amazon Shopping.jpg
     
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  19. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:33 PM
    #19
    fake4x4

    fake4x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    There are a bunch of those types of voltmeters …. Accuracy on the other hand might be suspect
     
  20. Feb 8, 2023 at 6:46 PM
    #20
    Chuy

    Chuy Well-Known Member

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    You would laugh at my setup. I have an auxiliary battery and a second voltage meter in an aftermarket power port. I do have a dual voltage readout but I need to drill a hole in the dash, or replace the usb port I placed in that little cover below an air vent.
     

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