Standard alternator or smart alternator - 2nd Gen

Anyone know if the alternator in the 2nd Gen tacomas are considered smart alternators or not? I have a 2012 Tacoma and I am trying to figure this out as it pertains to my dual battery system but my googlefu is weak and I couldnt find the answer.

Thanks

 

Could define Smart Alternator ??

I might bethinking of the wrong thing

 

Smart altenatornreads how full the starter battery is and regulates power flow when charging. This is an issue if you’re not running a dc to dc charger for your second battery isolator.

 

Never heard of anything like that but then I never really looked

In the dual battery installs I did over the years just a dual battery isolator

 

He tends to ramble a little but there is a ton of solid info in here. He goes into what I’m talking about a lot more in depth.

https://youtu.be/P6poRPUMKTI

 

Also this.
https://www.redarc.com.au/alternator-vs-fixed-alternator

 

I doubt your 2012 has a smart alternator. Not 100% sure, but I seriously doubt it.
I have a DC to DC charger and when I was shopping for it, I read from a few second gen guys that ran the same unit with no issues and my unit isn't intended for SA's.

 

Love Andrew. Very good storyteller

 

A matching system as he describes it is a charging system that properly charges the battery. It is best to use the exact same batteries as a pair. It will never hurt to simply swap the batteries around. Battery one goes over to battery two's spot and battery two goes over to battery one's spot. This reduces the wear and increases the life of the primary battery. Trust me.

Andrew the youtuber is right when he says that a marine/deep cycle battery accepts a different type of charging than a normal lead acid battery. Deep cycle batteries accept a pulse charge just as he states it in the video. It wakes up the deep cycle battery. The charging system has to be matched to the battery.

One very common mistake when purchasing a deep cycle battery is that you will have more current (amps) when you need it. You will for a shorter time. Andrew explains how difficult it is to maintain a proper state of charge on a deep cycle battery and I fully concur with him.

The very best things that you can do to extend the life of the charging system and batteries are
1. Understand the "state of charge"
2. Keep your battery, batteries within the full state of charge.
3. Keep the terminals clean.