Dual battery charging

For those running a dual, more specifically with the Blue Seas ML ACR isolator (like the off grid engineering kit) have any of you had any charging issues etc? Needed to upgrade anthing else?

I bought a diode/fuse from hkb electronics that's supposed to boost the voltage to 14.4V but turns out it doesn't work with the 3rd gen. They were nice enough to refund me the $80 for the fuse but since it doesn't work just wondering if I will have any issues? I bought the fuse to be proactive before having charging issues.

Running a group 27F North star for main battery and a Motomaster Nautalus group 27 (rebranded Northstar)
Both are AGM basically identical batteries.

Was going to do it today but after running into the fuse issue and stopped

 

couldn't you just wire both batteries parallel? (strait positive to positive) or does that burn out the alternator?

 

I’m running dual group 35 odyssey batteries with MLACR, OGE side by side kit. I’ve had to put in a NOCO Genius M1 mini charger to keep my batteries topped up as I didn’t want to go with a larger alternator. I plug in overnight every few days to keep my batteries topped up and conditioned. I just bought a Prinsu Cabrac and will be putting a Renogy 100 watt solar panel on the roof to keep them topped up when on the road. I have a ton of accessories to power too.

 

both will be in parallel through a blue seas ML ACR isolator.

 

is this with a 3rd gen and tow package?

From what I understand the tow package gets a bigger alternator.

 

forgive me if this is a dumb question, does one need an isolator in a dual battery system and what does it do?

 

from what I understand technically no.
What the isolator does is as the name implies isolates the two batteries from each other. At least that way your aux battery can be run flat and not drain your starting battery as well. That way you don't have an issue with running both flat.

if you parallel them without an isolator you are just increasing your capacity but if running them you will run both batteries flat.
every dual I see seems to run an isolator

 

Yes 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport (Canada) so came with tow pkg. It may have a bigger alternator but wasn’t enough to keep them charged as I don’t put on many km.

 

I'm currently running dual Northstars and a Blue Sea M-ACR. Right now I have solar on my camper and have the charge controller set to top off at 14.7V, when parked the solar controller will bring the two camper batteries and the two truck batts up to 14.7V for a proper charge via the ACR's. Once I remove the camper from the truck I plan on plugging in an external charger periodically to top off the truck batts, would be nice to be able to boost the voltage on the OEM alternator for AGM Batts.



Hodakaguy

 

What charger are you using

 

I just emailed North Star see what they say.
I wonder if yours is because of the lack of use. But I was thinking of one of those plug in things as well to be safe