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

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/blue-sea-ml-acr-fues-box-and-battery-terminals.695654/

 

That thing vaporized. LOL
Zim

 

What is the difference between watt hours and amp hours?

I think i looked up my battery spec, and it said 62aH.

 

AH times the battery voltage would give you the watt hours

 

Basically a 62 AH 24V battery would have twice the watt-hours as 62 AH 12V battery.

 

So I've been running my BCDC set up for a month or so now and it's working as advertised. Before I put it in I used to throw a charger on my AGM starting battery once a month to top it off and keep it healthy. I put the charger on the other day and noticed that the BCDC will also turn on and start charging the second battery, does this sound Kosher?

 

Isnt the bcdc a charger for both batteries? If so, that sounds right..

 

No, the BCDC only charges the second battery. I turns on when it gets voltage from the alternator normally. It's acting like the truck is on, I'm just wondering if this can somehow mess up my charger or something.

 

Yeah its just a voltage threshold. Putting the charger on the primary battery raises the voltage over that limit which triggers the BCDC.

Personally I would turn the BCDC off when doing this. That way 100% of the "charge" can go into the primary batt without the BCDC drawing it down at the same time.

In case you are not aware, there is now an option for 3rd gens to boost the charging voltage programmatically. This requires OVTune, but may be an option for you to look into

 

Unless you disconnect the BCDC it will try to drain your main battery down to 11.9V as you are trying to charge it.

 

I got an email back from Redarc tech support saying this. They have an ignition controlled relay that will keep this from happening but I think I'll just deal with unhooking the BCDC for now. Oh and they are sending me a patch for asking a tech question, nice.

 

Hmm, That's interesting, I thought hooking up blue wire to ignition circuit was supposed to serve about purpose

 

Hooking up the blue wire just changes the on and off voltage settings so it will still charge with a smart alternator

 

https://redarcelectronics.com/products/rk1260-relay-kit

This is the relay the Redarc tec suggested to use.

Edit: fwiw I got my BCDC pre wired from OGE, the blue wire is unconnected.

 

If you look in the manual hooking up the blue wire changes the on point from 13.2V to 12.0V and the off point from 12.7V to 11.9V this is to make sure the bcdc doesn't stay off if the smart alternator doesn't raise voltage above 13.2 because of low loading and a fully charged main battery. MANUAL

 

Yeah, I see how hooking up the blue wire isn't going to help my issue. It'd be nice if the BCDC had a physical on/off switch.

 

You could always install a battery switch in the engine compartment to connect and disconnect the bcdc. Cheaper than the relay but not as convenient.

 

I think I might ditch my dual battery setup, and go for a solar setup with a portable generator.. still not sure yet

Reasoning:
generator is a LiPo battery. Can be had for around $250 (depending on the size. I used a Jackery 240 as an example). Jackery has 240wh/16.8ah/14.4v, 2 USB, 12v plug, and a 110v AC plug. Can do 12v/AC/solar charging, weighs 6.5lbs.

100ah deep cycle battery is $180 for a knockoff brand. Much heavier, and Id have to do all the wiring. Granted, I dont need the AC plug/pure sine inverter..

 

Kinda depends on your electrical needs. Like I said before, if you've got disco lights and electric blankets, you might need some extra. I just need to charge a bunch of batteries on all these phones, drones, and camera equipment....oh and a magic chef toaster oven...Ahahahahahhaha.
Zim

 

I was discussing with a coworker (that doesn't really know anything about this stuff/thinking out loud). I have bed lights that are wired to a blue sea, but directly to the battery. I also have 2 USB ports and a 12v plug for my fridge. When im out camping im not worried about charging phones or laptops.

I don't have a drone yet, but id hope to charge it at home, use it while out, and then not worry about charging it again until i get back home.

Other than the above, im roughing it. Thats what camping is for me. I don't need to bring my blender or wood stove for pizzas. (Definitely like this way more than being at home haha. Dont even use that stuff there either)