Choosing a Dual Battery System

[oxydog]

Hi Hiluxers,

We'll be installing a DBS in the Vigo within the next week or two and I would like some opinions on these:

T-Max solenoid system
CTek DC to DC
National Luna

What is important to me, is that the battery must be fitted under the bonnet.

Thanks guys

[BenRich]

I also drive a VIGO and went the NL way about three weeks ago. I also wanted the battery under the bonnet as there is enough space available. Very happy so far

[ThysdJ]

Deep cycle, high cycle or cranking battery? The battery you are going to use will determine what charging system you are going to fit for the system to perform optimally.

Solenoid on a deep cycle is not really going to work 100% as the alternator doesnt have enough vooma to charge the D/C battery fully. And a semi-charged D/C battery is as good as almost no battery.. DC/DC is the answer here as it steps up the charging voltage to suit the D/C battery's requirements..

For the other types of batteries (quick charging) the solenoid (either T-Max or N/L) will be sufficient...

[oxydog]

I also drive a VIGO and went the NL way about three weeks ago. I also wanted the battery under the bonnet as there is enough space available. Very happy so far

Thanks Bennie - that's what I have on the SFA. Also very happy, just lost my battery a while ago because it stood in the garage for too long without being charged - not the NL DBS's fault though.

[oxydog]

Deep cycle, high cycle or cranking battery? The battery you are going to use will determine what charging system you are going to fit for the system to perform optimally.

Solenoid on a deep cycle is not really going to work 100% as the alternator doesnt have enough vooma to charge the D/C battery fully. And a semi-charged D/C battery is as good as almost no battery.. DC/DC is the answer here as it steps up the charging voltage to suit the D/C battery's requirements..

For the other types of batteries (quick charging) the solenoid (either T-Max or N/L) will be sufficient...

Hi Thys - Thanks, that is exactly why I love this forum so much - honest, sensible answers within minutes. I suspect we'll be going for a deep cycle again, so it sounds like a DC/DC is the way to go!

[Johan Kriel]

Deep cycle, high cycle or cranking battery? The battery you are going to use will determine what charging system you are going to fit for the system to perform optimally.

Solenoid on a deep cycle is not really going to work 100% as the alternator doesnt have enough vooma to charge the D/C battery fully. And a semi-charged D/C battery is as good as almost no battery.. DC/DC is the answer here as it steps up the charging voltage to suit the D/C battery's requirements..

For the other types of batteries (quick charging) the solenoid (either T-Max or N/L) will be sufficient...

+1

However, deep cycle and DC to DC charger is a bit more expensive but the battery will last longer especially with a larger fridge, that will discharge the battery deeper. With a small fridge one may get away with a high cycle battery and solinoid sytem which is much cheaper.

High cycle charged a bit quicker than a deep cycle also, but the AGM and lead crystal deepcycles do also charge much quicker than the lead acid deepcycles and can be discharged much deeper without ruining the battery.

[ChrisF]

Thys is SPOT ON !! :)

[Haboob]

Chris, Did you find out how to connect the battery monitor to the D 250 S ?

[ChrisF]

nope.

I use the indicator on the NL fridge, so I have not looked any further into this.


I do have a multimeter in Elders if I want more accurate readings ...

[Traveler]

Are you guys aware that a DC/DC charger under the bonnet reduces charge as the temperature increases??

So you are driving along under the impression that your battery is charging with the expensive toy under the bonnet doing its work?? But as the temp increases which can easily exceed 60DegC your charger is protecting itself and you are getting less charge to the battery...... Consider that you maybe should mount the charger inside the cab behind the dash and still have your battery inside the engine bay.

As Thys and Bennie states, DC/DC over time is better for that expensive Deep Cycle battery. The other advantage of DC/DC is you do not need to run very expensive thick gauge cable. This charger will be high on my list of options, if not option number 1: http://www.hcdpelectronics.co.za/print_ ... od=DCDC30A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; it also comes with input for a future solar panel.

I had a NL Solenoid for years and it gave me excellent service without complaints, and I can recommend it.

[Aquanaut]

I have a NL system fitted to my vehicle, battery is situated in the load bin and is portable if I need to remove it at a camp site. I have a 105amp Deep Cycle battery which runs my Engel fridge/Freezer, I have had no problems with mine.

[Hoppy]

I use 658 batteries instead of deepcycles, my previous one lasted 6 years and had no charging problems, replaced it with a 115A deep cycle and had to throw it out in less than a year, back on the 90A 658 again, but i will add the solar panel on my next trip.

[oxydog]

Hey, got it installed (eventually). Decided in the end to go for the Luna system with a Deltec deep cycle. Very professional job done by LA Sport. Watch thread for pics.

[oxydog]

I asked them to fit 2 Hella plugs. You never know!

[oxydog]

The battery fits nicely under the bonnet, directly behind the right headlamp.

[oxydog]

The controller is also under the bonnet. On recommendation from the guys at LA Sport, I decided to also fit an isolator switch. This way, I can quickly disconnect the deep cycle when not in use.

[oxydog]

In my SFA, I had my inverter connected with lugs to the secondary battery in the load bin. This is a problem when you want to charge cell phones in bad weather. Fitted a Brad Harrison plug to the inverter, and a connector under the passenger seat. Much better.

[oxydog]

Inverter as seen from the rear seat. This is a HUGE inverter (1500W), but still fits nicely under the seat.

[Racing snake]

Hi Jarus,
What was the total cost for the N/L system with the deep cycle battery?

[oxydog]

Hi Jarus,
What was the total cost for the N/L system with the deep cycle battery?

Around R 5k, which included 10% discount because we got the quote on their expo day (5 May 2013). This also included all labour, the 2 Hella plugs, the Brad Harrison plug, the isolator switch and all cabling.

[BenRich]

Nice job. Jy sal nie spyt wees nie

[Donkey]

Jarus, is that a HcDP dc/dc charger? Personally I would have mounted it in the cab where it can stay dry, one dep water crossing will damage that unit. Just my 2cw

[oxydog]

Jarus, is that a HcDP dc/dc charger? Personally I would have mounted it in the cab where it can stay dry, one dep water crossing will damage that unit. Just my 2cw

Yes it is, and I'm well aware of the fact that it must be kept dry. I will never make such deep crossings with this truck, that's what the SFA is for!

[subok]

Nice job!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[Aquanaut]

just returned from our Botswana trip, kms of off road crawling in thick sand and dust, camped in places that hasn't seen a power plub in it's life, yet my Engel 40l fridge/freezer remained at -22 degrees through out the whole trip, my 105amp deep cycle battery performed well over three days without charging from the vehicle. When we did drive, we were on the move for at least 5 hours, enough to fully charge the battery for the next 2 or 3 days with out elctricity.
Not once did the battery indicator led's drop into the red, always about two yellows above the red lights.
Frozen meat alll the way, even lost a couple of beers because I forgot to take them out in time, pity!!
I was impressed with the National Luna.

[oxydog]

just returned from our Botswana trip, kms of off road crawling in thick sand and dust, camped in places that hasn't seen a power plub in it's life, yet my Engel 40l fridge/freezer remained at -22 degrees through out the whole trip, my 105amp deep cycle battery performed well over three days without charging from the vehicle. When we did drive, we were on the move for at least 5 hours, enough to fully charge the battery for the next 2 or 3 days with out elctricity.
Not once did the battery indicator led's drop into the red, always about two yellows above the red lights.
Frozen meat alll the way, even lost a couple of beers because I forgot to take them out in time, pity!!
I was impressed with the National Luna.

Sounds great! Just got back from Punda Maria camping trip without electricity - also no hassles.

[Ali3n]

Hoekom het jy ‘n isolator switch ingesit? Dis mos hoekom die split charging sisteem daar is….nie waar nie?

[oxydog]

Hoekom het jy ‘n isolator switch ingesit? Dis mos hoekom die split charging sisteem daar is….nie waar nie?

Ek bly 1 km van die werk af. Deep cycle laai nog nie eers as ek by die werk aankom nie.