Dual Battery isolator setup

[TKDx00]

Hope this is the right place for this.

Starting my research on Dual Battery setups. Anyone have an Isolator already? What type is it, marine? Where is it mounted? Ect, ect. Several to choose from w/ different price ranges.

My intention is to leave the under the hood battery (red top) for starting and main vehicle operations. The aux batt (yellow top) is for extra lights, amp, and any other goodies added.

All constructive posts welcomed... the other comments, well I can't really control those much now can I.

 

[Macland]

This is pretty interesting. Don't worry. Anything too non constructive will be handled.

 

[Silver dude]

Been looking into it myself. For camping sure would be nice to leave the cell phones charging overnight or run aux lighting when setting up camp in the dark. Or a added winch power boost. There are several kits on the market. The Westin kit from Summit racing looks pretty nice and will likely be the kit I run when the time comes.

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/FEY-47-3800

Where are you planning to put your aux battery? I've been brainstorming with a measuring tape and its tight under the hood.

 

[civicjoe]

I know someone has done this, i just cant remember who. And it might have been on the tnx, and i dont know if they have joined over here yet,
judging by the post i found over there it was creek, i know that cyclemut, knows creek maybe he could twist his arm and get him over here to help you out with this idea

 

[Cyclemut]

If it's on a first gen, and you have an aftermarket exhaust (smaller muffler), then there is room under the rear driver's seat for an extra battery.

I was planning on putting my extra battery there. But then I got a hankering for some power and decided the space would be put to better use on something different.

Do you have a body lift on it? Where do you keep your spare tire? You could buy/build a battery box in the back where the little tool tray goes. You could then put the isolator under the hood and then run cables either inside the frame to the back or in a shielded and mounted conduit alongside the frame. If you go inside the frame you'll still need to run it inside conduit to the back, but it can be loose in the frame.

 

[TKDx00]

Didn't think too many folks were looking into this. Figured most already had a setup.

Ok here's my thinking. I'm 99% of the time the only one in the X. I know one of the guys took out both back seats to make room for his dog "Pathos". Can't remember his name. Anyway, he put his Aux back there w/ fuses and relays, which I thought was a great idea.

I'm thinking of running the battery/battery/isolator cables under the between seat console and up thru the fire wall behind the dash. The wires to/from flood lights up the columns. I have a guy trying to design an overhead console for switches/CB/guages that will use the connections for the overhead light and sun visors if possible. Drawback to this setup is there will be a LOT of wires running around under things so I have to factor in conduits for safety.

I do have a Gen1 ('00). At this moment in time, I do not have a BL, althought the parts are in the garage waiting on me. I'm running my spare on the roof until I get this rear bumper completed.

This is also why I don't have anything in my build thread. Somethings are still in the planning stages and 1'm tryind to allow each mod to lays the groundwork for the next.

 

[Cyclemut]

Ok here's my thinking. I'm 99% of the time the only one in the X. I know one of the guys took out both back seats to make room for his dog "Pathos". Can't remember his name. Anyway, he put his Aux back there w/ fuses and relays, which I thought was a great idea.

You're talking about Porthos (may he RIP) and that was Josh (Casper). He's got several niceties on his rig.

 

[TKDx00]

You're talking about Porthos (may he RIP) and that was Josh (Casper). He's got several niceties on his rig.

Yea, that's him. Sorry to hear about Porthos, I didn't know. I've got 2 of my own and a crazy azz cat.

I use Casper, Silver Dude and Granitex build threads as guides to what I'd like to do. As well as a few other SAGES comments. So forgive all my many questions I have. Short of a SAS I'm planning to do things once and enjoying the fruits of my labor in mud and woods somewhere.

 

[Cyclemut]

That's a good plan. Let others post up the mistakes they made or the things they did and learn from them. Less cutting and fixing on your part later on.

Porthos got sick and died shortly before Josh moved to Colorado. It busted up a few folks that loved him.

 

[granitex]

The hardest part is deciding on where to put the second battery. For the longest time I just kept a jump pack in the back. It has some deff advantages like you can jump someone without having to get someone turned around on a trail( which can be a tremendous pain sometimes). but duel or tripple batteries can make some things really convient although heavy. Welding is one of the big ones, as well as using quick connects for jumper cables and the like.

About once a month I crawl under the back of the truck with a tape measure and think about where the best place would be.

One word of warning, if you want to weld off of jump pack, they do not like it very much at all. We smoked mine welding on Alex's spring hanger at the campgrounds last year at Gone.

 

[TKDx00]

Where are you planning to put your aux battery? I've been brainstorming with a measuring tape and its tight under the hood.

I did some exploritory measurements under the hood and the current battery location could be used with some modifications. I just wasn't 100% behind trying to refit stuff. 2 yellow tops could fit but they were like 1.3/4" too wide for the top posted ones to fit side by side. I think I had to refit a reservior or something. Then the side posted ones would fit but the post positions were the problem to fit.

 

[J Everett]

I've seen an underhood dual battery set-up; in fact I think I've seen them in both first and second gens. I think the power steering reservoir has to be relocated to put two batts side by side in a first gen.

 

[Silver dude]

It has been done before. But, with special smaller drycell batteries.

Follow this link to the best build up of a xterra ever.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5000
eXpeditionXterra Build Up

On mine I've measured and its completely possible if I move the cruise controller back to the firewall, and the power steering tank closer to the current battery. Just if I'm going to do it I plan to go all out and use larger the stock marine batteries which have a larger reserve capacity. Keep the starting battery for starting only. Use the aux for my refrigerator and inverter, camp lights, cell phone chargers and whatever else while the rig is parked.

I like the idea of the battery mounted under the rear seat at the frame. But, would prefer the shorter cables expecially when it comes to winching or material costs. Then the whole banging it on a rock, submerging it in muck thing to. Easier to service and inspect underhood. But, would be totally custom and obviously would have tighter hood clearances and tolerances to work with. Passenger side of the truck will weigh more then the left. But, I don't know. Really comes down to the batteries, needs, and your ability to make it work.

Frame mount is easy. Just go on ebay and buy one of the frame mounted battery boxes from a Ford E series van.

 

[TKDx00]

I've read that thread and actually subscribed to it. I even set him a PM about his UCA's since he gave the finger to the AC ones. I wanted to know what he went with. Haven't heard back.

His engine compartment is pretty full but the battery setup looks great. I guess I wanted to watch someone do the shifting around of parts to make room before I attempted it or at least a detailed writeup (hint hint :happy.

Plus his example for Air supply for the lockers is an added plus.

 

[Silver dude]

I guess I wanted to watch someone do the shifting around of parts to make room before I attempted it or at least a detailed writeup (hint hint :happy.

Haha same here its like I have a idea of what I want and how. But, I don't want to make the jump until its a proven setup. I need to buy the battery, then hope it fits somehow. Move stuff around underhood without it effecting normal opperation. Buy a controller setup that's reliable enough to be used everyday. I mean everytime you turn the key off it disconnects the starter battery. I don't want to have to pray it reconnects each time it starts. Then its the added weight, added expense for gains I won't see till I camp again. Would rarely get used. But, it is something I need. Woke up to a dead rig 3 times this year. One of them being at a super remote campsite. Got several accessories.

My start was to use battery dimentions. From a online source to make fake cardboard battery replicas then get to work designing a new battery holder. As the boxes could be easily manuvered. A 100 pound lead filled battery cannot. Slowly move things in the engine compartment. Doesn't have to be done right way. Move the cruise unit out of the way one weekend. Relocate the power steering tank the next. After I get the space cleared out then fab the mount for the battery.

 

[TKDx00]

Ok, I've decided I'm taking out the back seats and creating an electrical area for Aux Bat, fuses, relay etc...
Since it's a bit chilly out to actually work on Steena, I've moved into the garage to start the rear storage for tools/platform/power unification project. Basically aluminum angle and 1/4" plastic (cutting board material). Let the fun begin!!!!!!

 

[Silver dude]

Awesome! Keep us updated man. Sounds like a great project.

 

[TKDx00]

Update:
I spoke to a few places the specialize in dual battery setups. The one that took the most time to explain "stuff" was Kodiak Industies Inc. They also happen to be the same company that created the system for the X in the previously mentioned by SilverDude in post #13. (link below). They took the time to ask me questions about what I needed to run vs. what I wished to run and what they would and could supply and how.

Without getting deep and technically into this (and I really could), dual system prices run the range gambit from cheap to expensive depending on what you want to run, how you want to run them, and the batteries you want to run them with. If anyone is REALLY interested in a Dual system like I am, I highly suggest you start your research by contacting Kodiak to discuss your options. This is not something you just throw together.

More to come...

link to Expo Xterra: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/5000-eXpeditionXterra-Build-Up

Link to Kodiak Industies Inc.: http://www.kodiakinc.com/

 

[Silver dude]

So what route are you taking?

 

[TKDx00]

So what route are you taking?

Oh I am going to get the dual setup... And I'm 99.999% sure it will be through Kodiak. He needs me to complete an additional wish list along with my needs list. That way he would be able to design the system for my specific needs in the future. That actually impressed me and what made me say sold.

I'm making a trailer for camping that will have "stuff" in it. :kewl:

The others just wanted to sell me the items I was asking about without explaining whether I needed it or not and let me set it up myself. I also spoke to the Expo Xterra owner and he suggested using Kodiak over the others.

 

[TKDx00]

After totally confusing myself and having to do some more research into this... I FINALLY understand. The phrase "dual batteries" actually has 2 sides to it. A Usage side and a Charging side. I got an IBS Dual Battery Management system from TJM which uses an isolator and am in the process of installing it. However, I saw a lot of folks using the Blue Sea manual switch to install the 2nd battery. I began to wonder why I was using the IBS and no one else was. So I got one of the Blue Sea switches to install. Long story short... I now know the switch is for the USAGE side and does not allow for charging. I would have to get item #7712 from Blue Sea for the CHARGE side in order to charge both batteries. Something that the IBS system already does. But on the positive side of this, I'm half way along with a battery system for a trailer. Sometimes it not a bad thing to overthink an idea.... lol

 

[dhyde79]

Ok, I'm contemplating a dual battery setup, and, I have to wonder, why wouldn't you just wire them both to a common set of central posts so that both + go to one + and both - go to the same -, thus creating a 12V system with twice the amperage, causing your alternator to charge both batteries equally, instead of having a system where you run from one battery all of the time until you get out and trip a switch or something like that?

 

[Muadeeb]

Because you can't guarantee that both batteries will drain equally, nor can you that the alternator will not overcharge one.

Sent via wild ferrets on crack

 

[dhyde79]

If they're matched batteries, and run to one single common positive and one common negative terminal, and the alternator runs to those posts, if there is any variance, it should be **very** minimal...

I know I have no problems running parallel batteries and getting abnormal drain or charge on any of my RC stuff...

 

[TKDx00]

An UPDATE on Dual batteries:

I final was able to speak to a few different places and ended up back to Kodiak Industries. He does sell a managtement system kit which includes a 2 battery tray and tie downs. HOWEVER, it is designed to fit Odyssey 1200 batteries. Die Hard Platinum series 34 batteries (made by the same company) will NOT fit in the Xterra bay side by side. Even if you relocate the PSR. Since I bought the Platinum already, I've had to go back to my original plan and put it behind the passenger seat.

So if you are considering the Platinum for an under the hood dual battery system understand there are location issues that the Odyssey does not have.

 

[DC xterra]

buddy of mine put his second battery in the trunk

 

[dhyde79]

I'm putting mine in the driver's side rear fender...there's a huge gap there

 

[chuckamazuk]

Is the Platinum safe to use in interior cab space? I've read about poisonous discharge fumes being a issue with a traditional battery (if it is one). Maybe its sealed like an Optima. Just curious.

 

[TKDx00]

Is the Platinum safe to use in interior cab space? I've read about poisonous discharge fumes being a issue with a traditional battery (if it is one). Maybe its sealed like an Optima. Just curious.

Yes it is sealed. From the same manufacturing company as the Odyssey just under the Sears name. They can also be laid on it's side if need be.

 

[chuckamazuk]

Nice. Looks like you will have an awesome setup!

 

[TKDx00]

I just copy what other folks have done before me.

 

[DC xterra]

he used a blue top optima as second battery

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

You can squeeze in 2 batteries in the stock location. I used a PAC-200 isolator to separate the batteries when the truck is off.

 

[05x4x4]

Is that really a bungie cord holding down two 40lbs batteries.... Wow!


Sent from my iPhone4 using Tapatalk

 

[TKDx00]

Kevlar reinforced.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

It was temporary, I've got a real tie down now

 

[metzican]

I would highly recommend getting a better battery hold down

 

[Tay-Lo]

I've been wondering if 2 batteries could fit in a first gen without major moding.....good to know

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

Indeed

Guys, guys, that was just temporary, just in case they decided to shift around a bit. I have a real metal, screw down battery tie down now.

 

[chuckamazuk]

Nd4SpdSe: Are those Optima D34 or D34/78? They are the same dimensions so it really doesn't matter; just curious.

I was looking into getting 2 D35's or D25/75's as they are a bit shorter in length and marginally less wide.