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

I don't leave my truck in a garage or go to developed campgrounds, but sure they can work.

 

Don’t get it, you never said word 1 about camping, you said the truck sits. If it just sits, which is what you said, a battery maintainer is the popular opinion.

Those of us lucky enough have extravagant things like extension cords we can plug into wall outlets. Mine is in my barn for instance, where the truck sits for long periods of time because it’s no longer a daily driver, when it’s not being used to go to areas a bit more remote than the developed campground you’re alluding to.

When out, I was using a single 100watt panel and a potted GoPower PWM charge controller and it works efficiently enough to not just charge the house battery, but when the Blue Sea MLACR latches both batteries together, it tops off the starting battery.
Renogy doesn’t have the best reputation from what I’ve heard. You can cheap out on the panels, but I’d go for Victron or Go Power, others might have some other suggestions.

They might have charge controllers that have multiple channels to charge multiple batteries. You’ll need to do your research or figure out a way to link both batteries

 

I ended up getting a 170w panel for the roof and a batteria 20a mppt controller.

just like you said it will charge the house battery and the. The relay will latch and charge the starter battery

 

Very cool, I’m going to 2 or 3 100 watt panels in the future and want to keep the charge controller in the same location so want it to be waterproof, haven’t seen the one you used, but looks really good for my application

 

I did a lot of research and wanted something pretty simple. This one has good reviews and was less than $50

 

got the solar hooked up and it’s working great even with the fridge running all day

 

Does the plastic panel fit over this setup, or did you remove yours?

 

I’m not sure the previous owner trashed them but I highly doubt it lol


Btw the solar charger is working awesome even in the rain both batteries are 100% charged even with the fridge at 32

 

Dang, I like the pockets they have.

That’s awesome. The wiring looks pretty clean too!

 

Does my 2015 v6 tacoma have a smart alternator? Going to be installing a dc to dc charger and trying to find out if I need to attach the acc wire.

Tried searching but so many pages to go through.

Thx

 

Yes.

 

I thought the smart alternators didn't hit until 3rd gen trucks in 2016?

@thebaker, I didn't connect the acc wire on my dc-dc charger.

 

My 2015 has one.

I am using the "smart alternator input" wire (not called acc) on my DC/DC charger, and it works fine.

 

The alternator on the 2nd Gen is not a smart alternator. There is no shunt on the battery that monitors the voltage. I've been running a dual battery setup without an acc wire for 4+ years now.

https://youtu.be/Yzss1DmMXr4?si=lebkBV6vkSw-xTr6