Need help choosing a battery isolator

I am preparing for a long road/camping trip and I am going to install a deep cycle battery in the bed to power my accessories (small lights, fan ect) while the vehicle is off; however I am having trouble choosing a good battery isolator that will prevent my alternator from becoming overwhelmed; I'm thinking that there should be a manual disconnect so that if it deeply discharges I can remove it from the charging loop until I can use a battery charger to prevent it from stressing the alternator. What do you think?

Thanks for the help!

NOTE: I have a 2011 Tacoms 2.7L with the stock alternator (I think it's 60 amps, can anyone verify this?)

 

There are two types of isolators one is solid state and requires changes to your alternator wiring the other is a solenoid type that only requires a signal from the key switch by far the simplest. It connects between the batteries turns on with the key and charges both batteries (your alternator will charge both just fine) when you turn the key off it disconnects so it won't kill your truck battery. They look like a Ford starter relay but they are not be sure your auto parts store knows what you are trying to do or just get one from an RV dealer.

 

The standard alternator (without towing package) is fused at 120 Amps.

 

i dont know if you wanna buy something like this but this is the setup i have in my truck:

two yellow tops and an IBS-DBS dual battery system.
the system controls when to link or unlink the two batteries, you can also manual link or unlink them at anytime. In the auto position, the system links both batteries while the truck is running so that they both fully charge, as soon as you turn the truck off it unlinks them and runs your secondary battery only. And then of coarse you can link them back together manually if you like. I love the system. Got it from SierraExpeditions

 

This is the one I was planning on buying: Cole Hersee Smart Battery Isolator http://www.colehersee.com/pdf/hot_feed/D-617_SmartBatteryIso.pdf

 

Allmotorex: I like the look of your system but because my truck is brand new I don't want to ditch the stock battery yet which is why I was thinking of putting the aux battery in the bed. I was looking at the T-MAX 47-3800 Dual Battery System (

Westin 47-3800 Dual Battery System

http://amzn.com/B0026JCNJE ) but I can't seem to find any reviews, it looks very similar to your IBS setup but at $140 is a bit closer to my price range. What do you guys think of that system?

 

I have a Cole Hersee smart relay in my Toyota motor home they are simple, easy to hook up and work great. There are two extra wires one for an LED the other for a switch the switch allows you to combine the batteries with out the truck running nice if you have a weak truck battery. By the way the motor home is an "87" with a 60 amp alternator and it will charge all 3 of my MH's batteries while I'm driving.

 

We did this to my buddies Grand Cherokee about ten years ago. He still has the Jeep, it's been a very reliable system for him. Requires a bit of thought to use, but he always just gives the starting battery a little time to charge up before trying to charge the secondary battery. The ability to self jumpstart is pretty cool too.

 

the setup i have does all that too and more!! You can switch from manual or auto also

 

A boat yard or marine store has high current battery switches for around $35 1-2 both or off.

 

i feel yeah, just throwin some light on the topic!

 

Thanks for the help everyone; I read through countless manuals and tech specs for all sorts of battery isolator setups and ended up choosing this Blue Sea automatic charging relay: http://bluesea.com/productline/overview/387

I liked that this setup only charges the auxiliary battery once the starter battery is fully charged; disengages if the starter battery drops below ~12.8 volts and will not engage if the Aux battery is below 10.5 volts; all of which help safeguard the alternator against undue stress. I'll post some pictures of it when I get home (on a 4 month road trip at the moment)