Landcruiser 100 Turbo Diesel - Fitting Redarc or other VSR between batteries
Submitted by Happy Hooker on Thu, 2014-04-10 11:33
Hi all
Just seeing if anyone has anyone done this to their vehicle ( ie split the two factory parallel battery system with a redarc VSR etc and installing a deep cycle/marine to run fridge etc) .
Good/ bad/ problems/cost/DIY or Auto Sparky ?
Had a look at doing it myself but there is a fair amount of wiring happening between the two batteries which I am not sure about redirecting or whatever.....
Any feedback appreciated
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
Pretty straight forward to
Pretty straight forward to seprate. I recommend running them to a continually rated solenoid that is activated by ignition. So that means it can start and run on both then once the key is turned off the batteries are seperated. Run a hybrid battery in the secondary battery like a Supercharge allround so its good for starting and can be used as a deep cycle.
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Open 7 days except when we are fishn For all your auto electrical needs
mjohns
Posts: 337
Date Joined: 11/01/07
Get the redarc from online,
Get the redarc from online, was at least $100 cheaper when i got mine rather than getting from hooleys.
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
in theory, they should be
in theory, they should be the same batteries as the VSR doesnt switch from one to the other, just parallels them.
In practice its done often with disimilar batteries but Im not sure how good that is if you use (say) an old school wet cell starting battery and an AGM/calcium aux, as the charging voltages are different for a full charge?
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Happy Hooker
Posts: 305
Date Joined: 12/11/08
Thanks All
Probably seeking a bit of info on all the other wiring specific to the cruiser that runs along between the two batteries . there seems to be a fair amount of smaller factory wiring so dont really want to stuff anything up . Have been quoted $400 to supply and install a redarc.
Am sorted re what i am going to put in battery wise .
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
batteries
guys why does the 100 series need 2 batteries for starting??? sems like overkill
If you can just have one starting battery and fit the biggest deep cycle you can in the auxiliary position
dan1
Posts: 379
Date Joined: 11/07/07
batterys
The landcruiser 100 has a heating element in the air intake to heat the air for cold starts
this is the reason for the two batteries to help with the heat element and the pull of the starter motor
Regards
mjohns
Posts: 337
Date Joined: 11/01/07
From memory i got the red arc
From memory i got the red arc for $160 and another $40 for a few metres of wire to run into tray of ute
woody
Posts: 617
Date Joined: 27/02/08
Cruisers come factory fitted
Cruisers come factory fitted with dual batteries that aren't real big to start with compared to a N70ZZ. I flicked mine in my HDJ100 and fitted a 760CCA Cat battery for starter and a Amptech DC for auxiliary.
I have used a Redarc isolator but biggest problem you'll find is that unless the DC gets a regular discharge/recharge they fail after a while. I've found that with 2 Redarc setups now....don't use the fridge for a while and when you throw it in to go camping...DC battery is knackered! 3 batteries over 7 years.
Listen to Kempy and fit a continuous duty solenoid and hybrid DC so at least it gets a discharge every day helping start your cruiser.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Toyota advise against it but
Toyota advise against it but in all reality the 2 are only needed in super cold conditions that we do not have here.
I just put 2 x Optima 830cca in my 200 series, they are dual purpose and at about 65ah which although not huge compared to deep cycle is good insurance for using as a start battery. Connected via a Redarc dual sending vsr. I always thinking have the batteries the same is the best ( unless you are connected to a stage charger like a ctek 250s dual ) Install a isolator between battery( in Parralel to the VSR) to isolate when you have accessories running or parralell the batteries for normal use to preserve the batteries.
Kempy wouldnt it be a bad thing to have a ignition controlled vsr over a voltage controlled vsr? Or do the ignition controlled relays only close after a certain time. If you flatten you house battery like under 11v once you turn the ignition on it will bring the starting battery down pretty quick ? I see the whole idea of splitting being able able to totsally sperate the batteries for starting purposes?
Vinnie
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
Igniton controlled is the way
Igniton controlled is the way to go then you get the best of both worlds so it starts on both and is isolated when the car is switched off. Yes eventually they would level out between the two but 99% of time your not going to be sitting in your car for hours at a time with the ignition on without it running and have a dead second battery. I fit and recommend this way over a volatge control system as there is much less to go wrong and is cheaper.
Dinkum Auto Electrical A/C & Mechanical Unit 10/16 Kent way Malaga 0438755754 Also Mobile
Open 7 days except when we are fishn For all your auto electrical needs
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Yeh fair enough!!
Yeh fair enough!!
Ian S
Posts: 71
Date Joined: 20/01/14
Think of it like jumper leads
You can connect a good battery to a dead flat one, get in the car and hit the starter and it starts, ignition controlled works the same way. It will take minutes to drag the good battery down not seconds.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
You also have the jumping car
You also have the jumping car running, but yes good point about the time.
Ian S
Posts: 71
Date Joined: 20/01/14
Thats right if your jumping from car to car
But it doesn't need to be running and 90% of the time I jump start something it's just from a battery alone.
Happy Hooker
Posts: 305
Date Joined: 12/11/08
Thanks all ...Woody and Kempy...thats the info I was chasing
Cruiser is parked up and hardly used apart from towing boat and beach camping / fishing.
Was looking at Supercharge or putting the Marine Pro 730 (out of my boat..about 1yr old.. in the 4wd and get new one for boat) as option ( 730 cca / 100ah) as Aux .
Running 40l engel and a Led spot light so only drawing 3-4 amps . Use Projecta solar panel (80w folding) which I can hook up and Projecta 2000 jumper pack which has got 2 x 22ah batteries in it that I have been using to power engel but would prefer to have in back in case of emergency.
Cruiser maybe started once a week pending wind ! So am mindful of killing batteries off ... Am going to get new batteries anyhow so thought i may as well get solenoid installed.
Any recommendations on the soleniods as mentioned Woody and or Kempy ? Am happy to throw you some business your way Kempy if you are available next week to instal..PM with a price or I can give you buzz.
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
PM sent.
PM sent.
Dinkum Auto Electrical A/C & Mechanical Unit 10/16 Kent way Malaga 0438755754 Also Mobile
Open 7 days except when we are fishn For all your auto electrical needs
Happy Hooker
Posts: 305
Date Joined: 12/11/08
Cheers Kempy
Will give you a call.
macka17
Posts: 46
Date Joined: 15/11/07
Hi.Regarding a Redarc, and
Hi.
Regarding a Redarc, and dual battery.
I have in my Patrol and D.max ute.
The mechanical solenoid Redarc does NOT fully charge the battery's.
Only the electronic units do that.
With the Redarc, and Patrol dual battery's to panels on carport through a regulator once every couple of weeks or so. To top them up. Boat permanently except when using it.
The D.Max. I have removed the Redarc and am buying an electronic unit from fleabay this week.
Patrol being sold.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
redarc
Hey Macka
Will be interested on what brand you choose, I have done my head in on what type to get for my DMax.
There is a school of thought the Dmax vas a varibale voltage alternator although there are conflicting thoughts on this, I havent had the chance to check mine yet
Previously I have had a piranha system on my patrol and after 12 years it is still going strong
Happy Hooker
Posts: 305
Date Joined: 12/11/08
All sorted by Kempy,very happy.
Cheers to all for the responses and input....Sorted by Kempy yesterday.Had a good look when I came home. You did a nice tidy job mate.
Very happy and recommend his work..
Will test them out now to make sure it all works
....5 days fishing/beach camping up Lucky Bay way.
macka17
Posts: 46
Date Joined: 15/11/07
Hi Did this a few yrs ago b4
Hi Did this a few yrs ago b4 fitting the Redarc to patrol and not knowing the max charge item.
I'll have to to through it again.
But I've also got a spare 85w solar panel from caravan that I'm installing on canopy top of D-Max
to maintain the 80ltr Waeco and top up battery's.
Whatever you do buy either a US item or an Australian from net. Never a chinese one.
They tend to be 5 minute specials.
Yea. My Redarc on Patrol still good after same 12 yrs. Just replaced a solenoid around 5 yrs ago.
They just don't keep battery topped up. Put a Multi on isolated wing battery sometimes. Mine never gets above 12.56v when car standing.
I have 2 x old (34\35 yrs) 40wsolar panels on roof of carport through small reg.
Permanently wired the 2 x boat batt's to it. and I hook car to it once a month or so with batt's coupled to top them up.
works a treat.
though I also have a 3.75kw Genny in shed as well. Primarilly for Aircond in Caravan but
Covers the house fridges. Lights and TV when power out. (Male to male coupling cable)
It's always peace of mind if you do regular fishing\camping trips to also have a small genny and 20\25A charger. Or a coupla smallone larger panel. Just to KNOW you right.
It's a pisser when you run out of juice and have to run car every coupla days just to kep the vegies and beers cold.
Bin ther..