Dual Battery System

[Triumph73]

Finally finished installing by dual battery system in my L400. It's probably overkill, but I also wanted to isolate the main battery when my Delica is parked for the winter.

[thelazygreenfox]

sign your name to that painting! Wow that looks so sweet.
TLWF

[macro]

I would be VERY interested in a detailed write up on this. Is there one around?

I want to convert my single battery L400 to the dual system, using one for auxiliaries.

[stever1000]

Looks like you used this kit?

https://www.bluesea.com/products/7650/A ... Kit_-_120A

[Triumph73]

Yes you are correct it is the Blue Sea kit. I probably could have gotten away with the 65A kit, but went with the 120A unit. If I was just looking for just a dual battery system I probably would have bought the IBS system.

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index. ... ail&p=2074

I started with 2 MotoMaster Eliminator Ultra Flat Plate AGM Automotive Batteries. I used some 5/8" spacers to create a gap, then cut a piece of plexiglass to mount the components. I only fused one side of the linking device, I figured the main 100A fuse link already installed would protect the primary side. I used a terminal fuse to keep everything compact.

The clearance under the hood is a bit of a problem. I may need to modify one of the fresh air intakes.

[almac]

I really want to do this to my L300; I've been putting it off way too long.
am I right in that both batteries need to be the same? I'm currently using an odyssey, and spending that kind of $$$ on another one is pretty pricey.

[Triumph73]

A good read Almac, it talks about having different batteries.

I believe it is fine, but if it was me, I would make sure the batteries are all the same type, AGM, flooded, Gell... etc to make sure they all charge the same, but I don't think it's mandatory. Since they are in parallel, they just need yo be the same voltage.

http://carliving.info/isolator/index.html

[stever1000]

From what I understood it doesn't matter if they are the same battery, they just have to be in good shape. i.e. one can't be 3/4 years old because it will charge differently than a brand new one. Many people are using the BlueSea system with one starting and one deep cycle battery, or some combination of.
The batteries are only connected when the alternator is being run, or when you turn the battery switch to combine the batteries. The rest of the time they are separate, which is the beauty of this system, you will always have the starting battery charged, even if the aux/house battery dies.

What gauge of wire/cable did you use? Looks great!

[Triumph73]

I used #4AWG Marine wire.

[stever1000]

I used #4AWG Marine wire.

Marine grade because of the water/dust protection?

[Triumph73]

Because the marine store was closer than the hardware store.....ha

But yes the wire has better insulation and wire was more flexible and easier to work with.

[gemstone]

Hi Triumph73,

I'm following your lead and just picked up the Blue Sea 120A kit. Can you tell me if you used the start isolation feature? That is using the middle connection on the SI-ACR connected to a 12v input on the start key switch.

Also, did you connect the battery switch terminal 2 output directly to the starter?

Thanks for your help.

Cheers, Scott

[Triumph73]

I didn't use the start isolation feature yet although I have had the 100A fuse fail once on the secondary battery once. I'm keeping an eye on it and I may have to wire it in, but I don't want to if I don't need to, it just makes the wiring more complicated.

From the switch, Output 2 goes to my distribution panel in the back to power my cooler and other loads. Output 1 connects directly to the positive connection from the old battery wiring. Mine has 2 fusible links in a rectangular enclosure you can see at the bottom of the picture. It's the short wire leaving the 6 o'clock position of the switch.

Hope that helps

[TardisDeli]

HI Triumph73, Very nicely done wiring job, and so easy to troubleshoot later. You should write up a parts list, and a few more photos, as forum has little posted on L400 dual battery. Just a reminder to all: check often that the battery terminals are tight, as Delica's manage to loosen the bolts quite often. My L300 TardisDeli always uses BlueSeas electrical parts (Bellingham company, great quality). Cheers Christine.