Backup battery, solar charger etc

Hi all,

98 V6 taco, I use my truck to camp and go to remote trailheads, usually by myself. Never had a problem with flat battery but now with the all the multitude of things you have to keep charged I know its just a matter of time and its a stupid thing to get me stranded (and possibly a very long walk). Of course I do carry jumper cables.

So I considered the whole dual battery thing but it seems to be a bit problematic under the hood as i have seen where the weight even caused bent sheet metal. I'm not against putting one in the bed but not sure how to mount it securely. I can make plywood boxes etc.

I dont think those rescue lithium ions are a good idea for me, if I forget to unplug it may actually cause a problem and they dont seem to last long. Its probably best to have a solution where I don't have to remember to unplug anything (besides the obvious) when I park the truck because i will forget.

I was thinking to get one of those solar trickle chargers - that may save me if I leave something on that draws less than a couple of watts or so but I assume it probably cannot bring even a partially discharged battery up to a point where it could start the engine.

Thanks

 

I have always had this on my to do list as well but dont really know where to start either.

 

Thought about this some more....

The smallest Optima yellowtop is 26 lbs, 9"x5"x 9"H, 38Ah. Still overkill for most misc charging. For this I still think underhood is best otherwise you have to run a 4Ga wire to the bed.

However, I did a quick search for Li batteries and a 10Ah is ~3 lbs, 6"x 2.5"x 4" (Dakota). Even the 23 Ah is 6lbs, 7"L x 3"W x 6"H . They have alternator chargers for these batteries although the one I saw is $165. I already had to make a wood battery tray for my starting optima, this battery could easily fit between the fender and the starter battery. Probably could just run a cinch strap around the starter battery to hold it. Then you could just use your existing shell wire (they fused mine at 15A) and install some USB charging sockets in the bed.

If you don't have a winch this is probably the best solution.

I don't think this small battery would work as a jump start battery (60A max for 3 secs) but if all your accessories are on the backup you should never need it. They do have a 60Ah 1000CCA battery and even its only 16 lbs but it costs a whopping $600.

 

I think this is a good bang for your buck. Charges my phone and worklights fast. At least faster then my usb port. Solar kits for rvs are nice.

 

Mine's in a strapped down ammo can. Flexible panel on top of the camper shell.

 

When I head into the boonies I just put an extra battery in the back of the truck. Got a $100 Costco 27 series battery which is the same as the one in my truck. I can power and charge things with it and if my main battery doesn’t work, no problem, I got a spare. It’s simple, not expensive, dependable and no worries. Easy peasy. You don’t need a mega bucks fancy battery, or a charger or solar shit. Just get a Costco or Walmart battery and go.

 

I was on the same boat, considered dual battery as I had one in my 5th gen 4Runner. However, I moved on and simplified things. I got a Cascadia4x4 hood mounted solar panel. 70watts with the mppt charger. I ran a fused line into the cabin to keep my fridge powered all night. Never had an issue in the mornings. I dont think they have it on the website yet, but if you email the, they always respond quickly.

I also went with the lithium backup battery idea. I went with a 50ah battery, and built my own battery box with 2 12v plugs, USB, and quick charge leads. So I can disconnect the hood solar, to charge the lithium battery if needed. Can run the fridge off of that, or my 5kw diesel heater. As I type this I have my diesel heater running at half speed to test how long the battery will go with it.


** correction. 2nd and 3rd gens are up on cascadia site. Not 1st gen.

 

I'll chime in since I am considering installing a dual battery setup:

• I'm not familiar with the 98 Tacos and where the ABS pump and lines sit. I have a '21 TRD Sport which has the ABS on the passenger side near the fire wall. TRD OR and TRP Pro do not have this setup and a battery can be mounted at the passenger side firewall. I am stuck with a dual, group 34, side by side battery setup.
• Genesis (and other manufacturers) offer solutions but I have found these are WAY overpriced
• What I am looking for is a dual battery setup, under the hood, that I have the ability to isolate one battery with a fridge and accessories from the battery that runs the Taco

Here is what I am considering:

• Batteries: TBD but I'm leaning towards Odyssey although they are expensive
• A DIY setup like the one off-grid engineering explains here (mine will need to be side-by-side, not two batteries split like in the video)
• Parts:
  • Genesis DIY Dual Battery Tray $249
  • Blue Sea Systems ML-ACR with manual override & manual control switch $209.48
  • Batteries - two group 34 batteries (brand - to be determined)
  • Cables and connectors (local auto parts / electrical supplier) less than $50
  • Fastronix Mil Spec Battery Terminal Kit (x2) - $60.00

For your setup I would determine if you will be permanently mounting it in your rig, then you can answer how it will be charged and where it will be mounted. Then you can research battery trays that are built for your year. The sky is the limit as far as what you can do - what I listed above is only what I am considering. It is, by no means, the only (or optimal) solution for your use case. Hope this helps. Keep in mind that you will need a charge controller if you go with solar panels to charge the battery. There are plenty of setups and videos on YT re: charge controllers.

Question: why not just buy a Bluetti (or other) battery pack that has outlets and ports an inverter and integrated charge controller in a portable form factor if that is what you are going to do with a 12V car battery? You'll get the benefit of multiple output ports (110V AC, 13.1 VDC in USB, USB-C + more). If you are only solving for charging the battery, and you have no concerns about additional juice or integrating a second battery to your vehicle, I would not spend the time and money integrating/upgrading your electrical system. Cheaper just to get a portable power station and panels.

Off grid engineering video screenshot of a TRD OR dual battery.