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

we'll see how long it takes to come in, and I'll be able to provide some feedback

 

Another brainstorming idea here I want to share with you folks.



Ok, look at the form factor of this screen monitor interface. See that the screen is smaller than the switches around it?

So, new iteration of an idea monitoring device for me.

Have it the same size as the Carlin Style Form Factor (Full sized switches).
The face or switch toggle would be CLEAR so you could see the screen through it.
The switch toggle itself would rest in the middle position like an SPDT switch.
For menu selection, you would press the toggle in the middle and hold for a couple seconds. Then you could use the switch toggle to go up or down and select as the jog dial would.
When the menu is not in use, the switch would display the normal volts, amps, etc. Whatever you selected to be displayed.
Also, you would be able to use it as the toggle switch to join, auto, off, the batteries.
Having a USB interface on the back like some of the other brands out there already would make it easy to interface for configuration, data/ stats and other things. Firmware, etc.
Some of the sensors that I would like to see would be the Volt Meter, Amp Meter, Thermometer for each battery.
Being able to input the stats of our batteries is a great thing to be able to see in realtime what the stats are on remaining power, charge states, etc.

 

Dam. Someone used the Button Screens I Mentioned before. Tired of not having the Capital to get my ideas profitable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK1-g5w9qpU

 

http://www.nkkswitches.com/smartswitch-main.aspx



Guess this is the route I will be going then. Just need to get the amp shunt volt meters and see about getting some of the other nice equations programmed in.

Wonder if I could use an old android distro to 'power' the whole thing.

 

I would absolutely LOVE to get my hands on one of these! Just ordered one of

NOCO BLSOLAR2 2.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger and Maintainer

THESE for MOAB this spring...

 

Finally joined the club







Also did the Big 4 upgrade and upgraded to a High Output alternator 250A

Still waiting for the new gauge to show up

 

^ is that passenger side battery box a custom job or is that a kit?

Looks great, good placement I think.

 

Thanks. I had to relocate the Power Steering reservoir and build a custom platform for it in that same area. I moved the PS reservoir near the ABS module (upper left)

 

Nice, I like it!

 

What size battery was your aux?

Since I'd been looking into dual battery setups, most folks appear to put the two together in the factory location. The down sides are more weight on the driver side and you have to buy 2 new batteries, since the stock one will not share the space.

I really like your setup because it evens out the weight and allows the factory battery to be reused if required or desired.

My stock battery is only about 8 months old, so I'd hate to can it to run a dual setup. What I was thinkin' was getting an Odyessey 35-PC1400 as an aux mounted on the passenger side and keeping the stock battery for a while. Later I can replace the stocker with an Odyessey.

Odyessey's website says the stock bat is a size 34. I like the idea or retaining the larger starting battery versus having two group 35s in the factory location.

 

Subbed

 

Both of my batteries are Group 35. I also wanted to distribute the weight a little bit better so I mounted it on the pass side

 

Weldo - once you get started on this project, let me know and I can provide you with more pics of the install. it honestly took longer than I thought because of how limited and awkward space there is

 

I ordered a bunch of parts to start this project today. I'm going with the ML-ACR ($148 shipped on ebay) and a pair of d51 yellow top Optimas, secured by a Colombia Overland dual battery kit. I also plan on adding a 3rd portable battery using a "Flyer MK2" kit once I get the dual battery setup squared away.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread, especially Skygear. His post here was very helpful and informative for me. Skygear, you should put a link to it in the first post of this thread

 

Cool man, thanks! Today I actually built a box out of 1/2" plywood that will replicate the Odyssey 35-pc1400. Should help with mock up. Got dimensions from odyssey's wesite.

 

Ahh yeah that'll help. The main thing is it's uneven where the 2nd battery goes. One end is ~2" taller than the other

 

That spot is perfect, but lookin at my truck, I have the emissions air injection pump right there. I'm exploring options in relocating it...

Did you relocate yours, or delete it? Or maybe your model/year didn't have one?

 

Probably something Toyota added on later? The only thing I moved was the PS fluid reservoir and a ground that was on that black bracket toward the top of the pic.

 

Has anyone used one of the Painless Wiring 40103 250 Amp dual batt wiring systems???

 

WTH you going to do with that?