Oh! I forgot to mention type of batteries.

ozi2 · Guru

Oh! I forgot to mention type of batteries.

justcruisin01 · Guru

It has a lot to do with how many dollars you have to spend,as there is a wide range of batteries available, I beleive some of the solar batteries if they are drained to low does permenant damage.
We give batteries a hard time when we go fishing in the teritory, freezer running long & hard in 50deg temp.
We found that if we ran deep cycle type down low it took to long to recharge them.
We use lead acid marine 600. they handle it well. have ran them flat & recharge them with a 25amp charger in a few hours, have never had one fail ahead of time.
We do this for a few weeks every second year , then they do the usual touring for the rest of the time runing fridge & freezer,at four years I take it out & fit it to my run around ute for another three years. Thats economical in my book.just dont mix lead acid & gel type together.

jimricho · Guru

It is ok to use a "wet" or "flooded" lead acid battery as the main (starting) battery and an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery as the auxiliary battery provided that it is installed as part of a proper dual battery system that isolates the two batteries from each other except when being recharged by the engine (a requirement of any dual battery system anyway). If using an AGM however, check that the one chosen is ok to mount in the engine compartment due to temperature considerations. Regarding gel batteries these may or may not be suitable depending on the particular brand, check first. My local battery wallah claims that Haze batteries are ok for dual battery set-ups.

It is also important that any cables in a dual battery installation are kept as short as possible and use heavy gauge wire.

Re Justcruisin's comments about using starting (or marine) batteries for auxiliary (deep cycle) use, A former 4WD tag-along operator I know used to use and recommend Yuasa Overlander (4WD starting) batteries for aux use rather than deep cycles for the much the same reasons as jc has suggested.

Regardless of the type, it is important not to fully discharge any battery as it seriously shortens the battery's life although some AGMs (and some gels too) are claimed to be more tolerant in this regard. I have a low voltage cutout relay installed in my rig to avoid this.

PS: just read your other post where you say you have selected a 120 ah AGM. this should be fine. I leave my comments above however for the benefit of other members and visitors to the forum.

-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 16th of July 2010 09:46:01 AM

ozi2 · Guru

Hi Richo and JustCruisin, thank you for your informative and constructive comments regarding Aux batteries.
Re the length of cable I am forced by design (dual cab and no space in engine bay) to locate the auxillary in the rear tub. I have found a very knowledgable auto elec who will fit proper gauge cable with redarc isolator system etc.
Could I please add to both your valid comments that people considering a duel battery system the importance also of ensuring the wire is upto the job being asked of it. ( and check out your local auto elec specialists, I saved $400.00 this way rather than purchasing through ARB!!)
many thanks guys
ozi

justcruisin01 · Guru

Re Justcruisin's comments about using starting (or marine) batteries for auxiliary (deep cycle) use, A former 4WD tag-along operator I know used to use and recommend Yuasa Overlander (4WD starting) batteries for aux use rather than deep cycles for the much the same reasons as jc has suggested.

Thanks Richo, I was using these for a long time & are a great battery, I now run the century marine type, same size case with bigger amp hrs, they are a combination type of normal lead acid & deep cycle, supposed to handle the ups & downs even better.
This is my first set of them so keen to see the duration of them.
The redarc charger is working well so far, fridges not having to work to hard down here in the cold, we,ll see howit handles things up north in the heat later.

jimricho · Guru

Hi Ozi2,

Talk to your auto electrician about these devices in the links below and whether he considers one of these may be appropriate to your installation. I should point out that I have no "hands on" experience with any of these. Other forum techies may be able to provide some first hand knowledge.

Jim

http://www.bainbridgetechnologies.com/vmchk/chargers/ctek-d250s-dc-dc-20a-battery-charger

http://www.ranox.com.au/401.html

http://www.projecta.com.au/dc20/

http://redarc.com.au/products-and-services/bms1215-battery-management-system

ozi2 · Guru

G'day JimRicho, thanks for the great links; I checked them and found them all very informative. I will ask auto elec about the chargers vs solar etc.
In pursuing information regarding duel batteries, solar etc I have been quite astounded by the difference in pricing for identical items....and the persons in question dont even blink when quoting ( I do!)
For anyone reading this post.....HAGGLE!
thanks Jim for the interesting links,
Ozi