Custom Dual Battery Gauges and Winch controller

I had a few guys ask me for some more details regarding how and why I made my custom battery gauges and winch controller. So, I decided to start this thread to post the details. The end result is below:

 

so hows it done?

 

Wow. Cool

 

The idea started because I was installing dual batteries with a battery isolater so that I could run my audio amps, off-road lights, etc. off of an auxillary battery without worrying about those loads ever draining the main starting battery.

I noticed that the Taco doesn't even have a voltmeter for the main starting battery. So, I figured, I'd create two meters (one for each battery) with just enough room for my winch controller in the middle.

The voltmeters I found here: http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?ref=search&gid=3736

The winch controller I got here:
http://www.12voltguy.com/web/

In order to wire the voltmeters such that the auxillary meter reflected the voltage of itself (and not the main battery), but also such that both meters only functioned when the ignition key was turned to "on", I had to use a Bosch relay. This allowed me to send a signal from a switched 12-volt source to the "MAIN" battery voltmeter, and then send that same switched 12-volt signal to the Bosch relay, which would "activate" the signal from the "AUX" battery. To learn about Bosch relays, look here:
http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm

I got my relays from here (note: Bosch has been replaced by Tyco as the main supplier):
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=330-070&source=googleps

I used MDF to make the panel and a 2 1/8" diameter hole-cutting drill bit to cut the holes for the meters. It is the same hole-cutting bit I've used to cut holes for door knobs (available at Lowes and Home Depot). See here:


The winch controller looks like this:




The MDF panel looks like this (when in construction):







To secure the panel to the factory console, I used fiberglass, fiberglass resin, and epoxy.





A shot of the gauges lit up:

 

I think I have the same hole saw...thing starts to smoke midway through a piece of 3/4" MDF

 

yup . . . the smoke comes, but it can be minimized if I spray the thing with WD-40 first. Well, maybe more smoke but less heat and cleaner cut.

 

I'll keep that in mind. I'll give it a shot next time.

 

How/where did you mount the second battery??? I am trying to figure out where to put a second Optima Yellow Top.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/64157-dr-sleeps-build.html

check out post #16 for my layout for the 2 batteries now.

 

Outstanding mod! Plan on doing this in the future, good work!

 

Well done!

 

That is nice! i will be doing this shortly.