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

^ what Iggy said.

I'm running a similar setup (T-Max instead of IBS) and have no issues. If there is nothing connected to the AUX battery, there is no drain.

 

I'll try that. On the Aux I have my Blue Sea fuse block which has all my switches, LED bar, HID lights(3), rear reverse lights, volt meter in the bed next to the 12V outlet for the fridge, small LED lights as alley lights (left and right) and bed lights (6 total small LED's the size of quarters) and a set of Hella 500's behind the grill.

None of these are usually on unless I'm driving, with the exception of the alley lights as I tend to use them as camp lights. Also I do know I need to wire the lights on the switches to get them to turn off with the truck, since they are constantly on at the moment. They are all LED's and I didn't think that they would be drawing that much.

 

What you could do is pull the fuses and and plug them in one at a time instead to see if that helps track things down.

Is your volt meter on a switch or live all the time? I have a feeling it could be the solar controller or volt meter if it doesn't have a switch.

 

That would most likely be your problem. once your battery falls below its designed minimum voltage, it takes a long time to recover that battery back to its normal state.

 

The volt meter is live all the time which I have thought about putting on a momentary switch to just display when I hit it. But I guess I could pull the fuses? I'll try to get some pics of everything up tomorrow, but almost all the pics in my build thread show what is going on. I can put those up here too if need be.

 

@Whitecloud. Do you know the wattage of the bed LEDs? 45w solar panels are not gonna be able to charge the battery and provide power for a load.

 

So per Amazon......they are 4.5W each. I have 2 per side that are wired together per switch. They are these........

$8 2x Custom Black Anodized Aluminum 6500K Xenon White 4.5W SMD LED Eagle Eye Lamps Back Up Backup Reverse Parking Light For Car Van SUV Coupe Sedan

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PBPI68/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Those LEDs being on all the time pulling over an amp will drain that battery. I would put that aux battery on a good charge overnight and put those LEDs on a switch.

 

The LED's are on a switch.



Here is the volt meter and outlet in the bed.

Oh yeah I also have a water pump and air compressor wired in the truck too.....

 

Sorry,I thought you said they are constantly on.

 

LED lights can go bad. I got some of them fancy flashing brake lights from Superbrightleds about 3 years ago. In the past few months, they started blowing fuses, until finally, one blew out. I can see them draining the battery if the fuse amp rating is too high.

BTW, have you checked that the alternator is putting out 13.5+ volts? I assume it is, otherwise, the primary battery would drain also, but let's not assume.

 

@MJonaGS32. Here is an inexpensive isolator that I have used for 1.5yr. No issues. Might want to list in the OP.

$105 WirthCo 1213.1241 20092 Battery Doctor 125 Amp/150 Amp Battery Isolator , Black

https://www.amazon.com/WirthCo-20092-Battery-Doctor-Isolator/dp/B0058SGDFK

 

Renogy Solar Panel, Single

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Volts-Monocrystalline-Solar/dp/B009Z6CW7O

Amazon prime deal for today. Not bad for a 100w panel

 

Nice. Yea I'll add it when I get to a PC later in the week. Work trip in Ohio for the week

This is what I have on my truck. Made an adjustable mount for it too.

 

I like it. Having the tilt will def help maximize direct sun exposure. I don't have a rack to mount to, so I spent a lil more for the flex panel.

 

Yup. Looks like a LOT OF TILT

 

Lol. What a beast!!

 

James I like your set-up. I see you mounted the Blue Sea ML-ACR on top of the ATO battery tray, is there plenty of clearance under the hood? How do you like the tray and could you look at alternative batteries or are they only compatible with the Optimas?

 

thanks man! and yes, there is plenty of room under the hood. ato tray is only designed to fit group 34 Optima batteries. there are other trays out there that fit better batteries though, if i had to do it again id probably go this route; https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rays-wiring-kits.420680/page-25#post-12532941
@HeliMedic really makes one hell of a product! and with 2 odyssey batteries you cant go wrong!

 

I actually used the Colombia Overland tray for the Optimas, since I couldn't source any Odyssey batteries.

Works well and you are free to change down the road!