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

I’m honestly leaning towards building a battery box for the “house battery” in the bed.

 

Yea this is the way to go if you can't fit the second battery on the passenger side under the hood. I also still think the group 27f is the best size for an agm battery on the driver side. More capacity than the stock 24, plus it leaves enough space between the battery and oil fill neck.

 

Several companies build battery cages, for that (or similar) purpose.

I have both of my Odyssey batteries in cages - one under the hood, the other in the bed.

 

Do you have pictures/details of your bed setup?

 

Post 250 in my build thread - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/scott-b-s-2015-ac-build-expo-style.368814/page-13#post-21134704

As this post is Part 2, Part 1 is earlier in the thread, and talks about the starting battery.

 

It wouldn't be too bad if using the lithium battery shown in the Mole photo in the link above. They weigh 32 pounds each which is better than 50 pounds each of my Odysseys weigh. However, price point is $997.56 per battery. The buy-in is steep but they claim they last a lot longer.

 

The problem I see with a battery in the bed is the long run of thick cable so it can be connected to the charging system, and the (semi?)permanent spot in the bed that will be dedicated for the battery box. Still feels like a "hack" which is, of course, the main point of mods...but still...I like things to feel stock. Wondering if two lighter batteries in a side-by-side cage under the hood would be light enough to not tear the metal when offroading.

 

If you run a DC-DC charger to your second battery, you need a 10 ga wire - that is easy to hide and protect.

If you want "stock looking", I hate to tell you, but you are in the wrong forum.

 

2 lithium batteries side by side under the hood would not tear the metal. If you have the money for it, go for it.

There's nothing stock about what we're doing here though. Having a second battery mounted in the bed seems like a great option, and I don't see the cable being an issue. The only issue I see is having to drill the hole/s to get the cable/s through to the bed. That part does kinda suck.

Personally I'm not a fan of the dual side by side on the drivers side in the engine bay. Just makes that whole area too cluttered.

 

I’ve also considered a lithium house battery option. Running a switch to switch pros to allow charging from the 12v in the truck when I want (and will shut off when truck isn’t on). You could also run solar to it.

 

Well shithousemouse.
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Comment or Message
When will you be getting more of these in stock please? Gen 3 Tacoma Side-by-Side Battery Tray
Thanks!


Thank you for contacting us. We do not have a current timeframe on that item, I’m very sorry. Production has come to a near standstill with the pandemic issues.

Sincerely,
Tom

Adventuremobile Inc.
James Baroud West / RLD Design USA / MOLE Overland
(206) 406-7684

 

Unfortunately, the goal zero's charge very slowly and use a non standard battery voltage, so it is too low to operate many 12 volt appliances. Example - 12 volt refrigerators.

 

Yeah I find it hard to see much advantage for the goal zero over the national Luna portable power pack.

 

It's even cheaper to build your own system.

 

My experience is contrary to that. We've been happy with the performance of the Yeti 400 Lithium powering an ARB fridge. YMMV.

 

Out of curiosity, have you ever tried to measure the "12 volt" output voltage on those? Fully charged is one thing, let it run down a bit and things can get interesting.

A cold day and life is even more interesting.

 

Lithium batteries don't seem to like the cold.

I found it interesting that a Tesla's actually has a built in heater for its batteries to maintain them at a minimum temperature for colder conditions. Something like 40°F is enough to cause it to turn on when the car isn't being used, just to maintain the health of its lithium ion battery pack.

edit: My experience was with an older, 2013 model S so things may have changed since then.

 

This is a good point. I haven't used it anywhere but in the sunshine of the Rubicon trail in July. That said, I handed it off to a colleague that has run some electric blanket tests with it this early spring in Reno where it tends to be chilly overnight. He indicated he was getting about six hours of use before it would peter out. I don't have the specifics yet on the amperage draw and all that but he said he was comfortable. More to come.

 

Question for those that have relocated the starting battery.

Plan is to run a 2/0 positive and negative cable from the rear of the truck to a positive and negative distribution block located in the stock battery location. Figured 2/0 could handle the amount of amps required for the winch. Will either use a large breaker or inline fuse on both ends of the wire to protect it.

Thoughts/critiques?

Current setup is a group 31 battery in the stock battery location with a group 27 as an auxiliary in the rear of the bed. Currently using a ML-ACR to manage both. Have one 1/0 cable going to the engine bay for the dual battery setup.

 

Hi, are you using an ignition signal or similar to to activate the ML-ACR or relying on the starter battery voltage to activate it?

I hope that you don't mind my question. I am new to Tacomas and am helping a friend with his auxiliary electrical system planning.

As far as wire size, the two batteries together can supply ~ 200, maybe 300 amps for very short periods, so 2/0 is in the right range.

The battery pack that is actually rated for powering 300 - 400 amp draw winches is closer to a 4 battery system but not many people will want to do that.

In a place like Ontario Canada, there can be quite a difference in battery temperature between the starter battery in the engine compartment and the truck bed mounted battery. This can result in substantial under charging of the aux battery in the bed, especially in the winter.

A more ideal setup would use a battery to battery charger to charge the battery in the bed area and then only really connect them directly for winch use. Ideal isn't always feasible.

Thanks

Harry