2013 Dual Battery install

I went back to a Tacoma from a FJ, before selling it I removed parts I would reuse in the tacoma one was the dual battery system and the marine Optima battery. Before getting the Tacoma I assumed the Optima would just drop in to the passenger side wheel well like on the FJ. I've seen other dual battery set ups with both batteries in the OEM spot, I didn't want all that weight in one spot
The '13 has some stuff in the way that made the install a little harder.
There is some DENSO electrical box and a air pump for the emissions in the way that needed to be relocated (anyone know what it is?)


After moving them out of the way I needed to cut 3 bolts that were in a tri-pod shape on the inner fender, maybe a mount for a non-USA Tacoma jack? Then I was able to sit the battery box in place to figure which direction to mount it.

I was able to drill three holes to mount the battery box, the one closest to the fire wall needed spacers to hold it up level, (you can see the white plastic spacers underneath)


I got the air pump bolted back in but it was moved over about 1 inch and was only able to reuse 2 of 3 bolts.

Next I ran the wires for the dual battery kit http://www.dfna.info/dual-battery-kit.html# a very simple install.
And made a mounting bracket for the isolator, in the FJ I mounted it on top of the fuse box but it was a PIA to open fuse box. I bought a small plastic cutting board and cut it to size and a piece of angle iron.


I ran the wire from the main battery to the isolator, another wire from there to the hot side on the aux battery and ground isolator + aux battery.

 

Nice!

 

Looks good man, I'll be referring to this when do mine

 

Excuse my ignorance, but what does one use two batteries for?

 

x2?

maybe for expedition if your going to run a refrigerator, water pump/heater for shower, lights, onboard electric air compressor...

but for a stock street truck im not sure why 2 batteries are necessary.


edit: after doing some not extremely.. but kinda creepy research through the OP's pictures... i'd say he has plans to make the taco into an overland/expedition vehicle.

 

Just an FYI... You should use the same two style batteries (Brand/cca) The charge rate and draw is different on the two you have in your truck. They won't last as long, as if you were to use both the same.

By the way great job. I will be doing this to mine, and you sure helped with what I want to do...

 

I use the 2nd battery to power everything not factory I install in the Tacoma,
12v fridge,12v blanket for the roof top tent in the winter,12v fan in the tent in summer lights in the tent, all lights I'll be adding, HAM & CB radios,inverter to recharge laptop cameras etc.
No worries when sitting in camp a couple of days that I might run my battery down.

 

Super nice install. AWESOME!

TC

 

nice going to have to go this route myself.

 

Ok you may have just solved one of my problems with that plastic cutting board idea. How has it held up under off road use?

I want to do a marine deep cycle in the same spot as you have your optima but I'm finding it may be too large. How tricky was it to get that optima tray in there? It looks like it may be at an angle.

p.s.
Heated blanket-NICE. How much does it draw from your 2nd battery? This might be a great thing to have in the winter instead of installing a heater inside my camper. I'm sure it draws a lot of amps though.

 

I could just be inexperienced, but I can't think of why it matters for lead acid batteries. The "bus" line will get ~13v to charge and each battery will draw the current it can draw; similar for discharge. Maybe I'm missing something?

 

Hi,

Thanks OP for taking the time to do the writeup.
I realize that this is an old thread that was resurrected a couple of posts up, but I have a question for those that have this setup.

From the battery isolator's vendors page it states:

"The Battery Sensitive Relay (BSR) allows two batteries to be charged at the same time. When the engine is started and the start battery reaches 13.3 volts, the BSR dual battery isolator engages, allowing two battery banks (start and house) to be charged simultaneously. When the voltage drops below 12.8 volts (eg the engine is stopped), the BSR disengages, separating the batteries. This system eliminates the possibility of draining the start battery and protects sensitive electronic equipment powered from the house battery from harmful engine start up spikes."

So if I understand correctly, both batteries are online until voltage drops below 12.8v. Once they are below they seperate and the Aux battery is online.

When you go to start the truck, what tells the relay to switch to the starting battery? Is it a manual switch?

Thanks
Shawn.

 

Anyone know what size bolts these are holding the angle iron to the inside of the fender?

 

Nice job.

 

Those three studs are not for a jack. They are mounting points for the ABS Brake Actuator. Your truck has VSC. All Tacomas have these three studs regardless of braking system.

 

They were either a 10 mm or 12mm standard Toyota bolt.

 

No manual switching between batteries, truck starts off of OEM battery

 

The cutting board has held up great,its such a short piece it dosen't extend out very far.
The tray took so wiggling to get it in there. I also had to relocate something,not sure what it does or what its for to the fire wall for it to fit.If the tray fits the battery will.

Not sure what the blanket draws, I'll have to dig it out and see what the package says.

 

Thanks for the reply!

Someone could make some money building trays like this which fit with the factory bolts:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/23115-My-dual-battery-setup-2006-Tacoma