UTAH (and Surrounding Areas) BS Thread

Sorry to hear about your trailer. I have no use for thieves and they are the ones I care about the least. Instead of working hard and saving up money they go out and steal things from descent people. Hope you relocate the trailer and Karma will get them sooner or later.

 

I've been reading up on installing a dual battery system in my 07 Taco, and it's not just the cost that scares me. I'm not the most mechanically inclined guy in the world and the thought of trying to install this myself frightens the bejeezus out of me, too. Because I'd apparently have to replace the stock battery that I just bought for the damned thing with two different batteries at ~$250 each, I think that I'm looking at about $800 in parts alone.

So a couple of questions:

1. The reason I want this is for camping, not for running a winch or the like. I'd just hate to be in the middle of the desert somewhere all alone and realize in the morning that I ran the battery down too low to start the truck. Can I get away with just carrying along one of those portable battery-powered car starters to alleviate this concern, or do I really need a dual setup with a deep cycle auxiliary?

2. If the answer to number 1 above is just to carry a portable, is there a particular brand/model that folks recommend? Some of these things look really cheaply made and therefore not trustworthy.

3. Who in the SLC area can fellow Utah Tacoma owners recommend to install a dual battery setup so that I don't fry/burn/damage/otherwise fubar my truck by attempting to do it myself?

Forgive what some may perceive as dumbass questions, but thanks in advance from a relative newbie looking for advice.

 

Thanks everyone for keeping your eyes open for my trailer. I probably won't see it again but wouldn't it be great to catch the scumbag?

 

Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters in Sandy.

 

So IMO the problem you have is that a battery for starting (truck) is different than one for camping. You need a deep cycle for camping. A starting battery has thin plates and dumps lots of AMP real fast in order to turn the engine over. It should never get lower than 90% capacity and sit without charging. A deep cycle battery has thick plates and is designed for a steady lower AMP discharge and can get down to about 40% charge capacity and can wait a day or 2 before charging. (Deep cycle means deep discharge). Both batteries have a different charging methods. Of course the charging system on our trucks are made for a starting batteries.

One thing you might consider is replacing both batteries in a dual system with marine batteries. They have medium size plates and are a compromise between the 2 batteries. The will start the truck but you will notice that it might act "tired" in the cold winter.

In hooking the system up just make sure the batteries are in parallel and not series. Run the truck's + leads to both +'s and same with the -'s. Do not run + on battery 1 to - on battery 2 and then back to the truck. If you do you'll have 24 volts and that will be bad.

Good luck.

 

Can't second this strongly enough. I wouldn't go anywhere else for an install like that.

And I've never owned one of those portable jump kits that was actually capable of jumping a car with a truly dead battery.

 

Here's a related post over at FJCforums...
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...dual-battery-complete-kit-300-00-battery.html

 

I do a lot of camping in the west deserts. A good days walk if I had problems.

I did a little research on these. (had an older one that died) This one has a replaceable battery. Here is the best bang for the buck I could come up with. You just dont want to get a small cheapy one because they do not have enough juice to start a bigger engine.

And to boot it not only has a jump start it has a compressor, inflator, inverter, usb charger, light and 12volt plugin.

http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-portable-power-1150-with-jumpstarter-air/p-02871988000P


But if you are really looking for a dual battery thing I personally would put in some wiring to the bed with a quick disconnect. Get a deep cycle battery with a huge amount of CCA's and just pop in the bed when you go out. And keep on a smart charger at home.


And if you just want a jump starter this one will start an 18 wheeler.

$281 Clore Automotive Truck PAC ES6000 3000 Peak Amp 12V Jump Starter

http://www.amazon.com/Truck-ES6000-...F8&qid=1369319078&sr=1-4&keywords=Booster+PAC




.

 

I am running two starting type batteries in parallel and it seems to work fun for me. Granted I will step up to an AGM when I do my Big3 upgrade and relocate them to the engine bay. Then I will put an isolator in and be done with it.

 

Short notice, I know, but we're hitting American Fork Canyon tomorrow afternoon. Maybe Mineral Basin, maybe something milder if too many stockers show up. Anyone respectful is welcome to join us.

 

dang i work so "/ cant

 

That's what the good lord gave you sick days for! Tell the boss you've got low altitude sickness and can't come in.

 

cant im already taking Whensday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday off. heading to moab

 

Anyone live in Hurricane? Just curious, have a few questions, PM me.

 

Chop chop buddy ad btw when I was hooking my amp up, I accidentally hooked up the wires backwards and fried the transformer in the amp

 

yup im getting all my shizz ready today and packing it so as soon as i get back from work im heading out

 

Anyone have any Toyota wheels lying around they wanna get rid of? 15 or 16"

 

I have 4 TRD off roads that need a new home...

 

what size ?

 

15 or 16". I'm not sure what the widths are, but whatever stock Toyota ones are.

I was hoping to scoop up a pair of 4Runner wheels off KSL but the seller sold em after he said he'd hold em for me oh well