Off-Grid Engineering Dual Battery Trays & Wiring Kits

Sounds good. No problem!

 

Looking forward to a non-ATRAC version.

 

That will be our dual tray for the drivers side. I have lots of interest. It is definitely coming next.

 

Another question - is it possible to connect two 12v gauges, one to each battery?

 

Absolutely... Im working on a monitoring system that I may offer as an option in the future. It will probably be a while though. In the mean time, I can offer a wiring harness that would accommodate any volt meter gauge you would like to use. It would be plug and play.

 

This looks like something that I would't mind adding to my Taco.

 

Well... We can handle that, haha. Just let me know if you want to have one coming your way!

 

Like these?

https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/bmv-700 from Holland

http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=BM1Compact from England

They are very inexpensive and come with the necessary shunts.

The Victron 702 is a 2 battery version and costs about $200 ($160 for the single battery system).

Review of the Victron 600 (older model) here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO8AGV4Z7K0 Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu_...d=JO8AGV4Z7K0&annotation_id=annotation_904354 Part 2



If you end up making a really neat bracket for the Victron, I'm in the market.

 

Wow. That is very cool. I won't be able to manufacture anything close to that. I may be offering a built in volt meter to mount next to your switch at some point. I also have a mounting plate for the two that I've been working on. Its too small for the Victron but I could look in to making one larger for you.

Stay tuned everyone. Right now my focus is on making the dual battery tray for the drivers side location for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen Tacomas.

 

Voltage alone is not enough info to properly monitor a battery. Amperage is needed and a shunt is required (Ohm's Law). You could also use a Hall Effect sensor but a shunt is cheap, simple and robust.

I will install the Victron 700 because I will be running a small fridge for camping. I am also concerned the stock alternator needs to be up-graded and a monitor will provide the data for the replacement sizing.

There is not much to these monitors but at around $160 it would be hard to put together a cheaper alternative that would look good, plus Victron has a long track record of reliability in marine applications and a useful accessory is the plastic case for mounting the shunt safely in the engine bay the with only a telephone wire going to the instrument inside the truck. There is also an overpriced BlueTooth dongle and smartphone app - or a serial port connector with which to download data.

 

I agree. However, a volt meter is a simple, effective way to give you enough info to make an informed decision about the basic state of your battery. And for around 10-20 bucks, it can't be beat. Also, as I stated before... I am not a large company capable of producing something like that. I have chosen not release an in-cab power monitor until I am satisfied with the product. Im working on it but it won't be near the product that the Victron is... it also won't be near the price.

Thank you for introducing me to it though! It's very cool!

 

While we're on the subject, what do you recommend regarding alternator upgrades? Is the standard alternator sufficient for a dual battery set-up where the second battery is responsible for off-road lights and might get drained overnight running a fridge and other camping accessories? If not, would swapping in a tow package alternator cover it, or is a higher output aftermarket unit necessary? I know that every installation will be different, and individual usage will vary, but in general what is your opinion?

 

It depends on the loads and the usage of the vehicle. If the engine is going to be at idling/low revs it will need a larger alternator if a fridge or powerful amplifier is being used - or a/c is running.

The TRD Off-Road's alternator seems surprisingly small for what is hyped as a serious off-roader - especially the manual trans without the tow package upgrade - but then it is surprising that it doesn't have a proper diff breather and that the towbar, if fitted, hangs down like dogs' balls reducing the departure angle by about 5 degrees ... not to mention the quality of the skid-plates and lack of recovery points. But, hey, it's got a GoPro mount and inductive charging for a cell phone which Mr Sweres thinks are important for an off-roader.

There is a lot of advice on the web if you google 'alternator sizing' but the most difficult variable to assess is usage which is why I will fit a monitor to look at the loads and alternator outputs when off-road and camping etc., the most extreme case for my usage, before making a decision on alt/bat upgrades.

 

Sub'd

 

Yup...I get it, but again, just looking for a general answer. My '13 does not have the tow package, so the tow pack alternator is a no-brainer. I just wonder if it makes sense - both financial and risking aftermarket parts - to go bigger than that. No amps, likely a fridge, some off-road lights, and a little camp power.

OP - Any thoughts?

 

A general answer.... I have the stock alternator... always have. Its never let me down, and I've never been left wanting more juice.

Upgrading your alternator will only help charge your batteries faster or provide the necessary power flow for a continuous draws such as winching. When you're at camp using your fridge and lights without the vehicle running... it doesn't matter what size your alternator is. For my purposes, adding a reliable dual battery system and leaving everything else alone has always worked for me.

 

and that my friends, is the simple truth!!!

 

It does if you are not going to drive a long distance to recharge the batteries or idle for even longer since the output of the alt will be <40% of the rating at idling speeds. The larger the battery capacity the longer it will take if you actually use the capacity.

The Taco's Camry size alt will be fine for most owners because they will be using their Taco much like a Camry.

Usage is critical. I want a reliable system to use off-road (or soft-road) in places like S. Utah with relativity short distances between stops. Maybe the stock alt will be OK.

If you want know what's happening to a battery you have to monitor amperes.

 

7 light bars, 1200 watts of stereo, off road lights in grill, retrofits, trailer with lights, all used and abused regularly. I've run the battery totally dead DOZENS of times just having the stereo on while it's parked which means after getting jumped, that alternator is working its ass off! I sure don't know what's going on amperage-wise, but I do know I replaced my original OEM alternator at 130K with a OEM spec alternator, and am on my 3rd battery at just over 150K. I can live with that. Not saying a monitor wouldn't be a nice little gauge to have in the dash, but a high dollar alternator isn't in my future.

 

Yeah ... like I was saying ...