Toddyh03
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Dual Batteries
I run the isolator from that kit. It works really well. I have submerged it a few times and it's still going. Very happy with it. The rest of the wiring I made up myself.
--- Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
My XTrail
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18/Mar/2014, 6:47 am
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maxgmoore
X-TRAIL LEGEND
Date Registered: 11-2012
Location: Broome
TOTAL POSTS: 547
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Re: Dual Batteries
My 105ah blue series thumper pack arrived the other day in the mail. it has 2 12v sockets and one hella socket built in. It came with all the cables (anderson plug and isolater) and I have booked the car into ARB tomorrow to get the cables fitted. So tomorrow my dual battery setup will be complete. I have already mounted the Thumper Pack in the boot on the right side and have mounted my fridge slide on the left.
I decided to go with the thumper over an ark pack as it comes all together. The ark pak is great but you still need to purchase the battery after you buy the box.
Just wondering if many other forum members have used the thumper before and what do they thinkof it?
For those who have mounted there dual battery setups including thumpers arks and normal battery boxes in the rear cargo area. Are you happy with this? What would you change?
Maybe someone out there has a really valid point and it may change what I do tomorrow.
Cheers
--- Cheers
maxgmoore X-2776 (c)
My Ride
2003 Series 1 T30 Ti
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20/Mar/2014, 8:35 pm
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dlpeek
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 12-2010
Location: Macquarie Fields SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 1025
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Re: Dual Batteries
Over the weekend I finally ran twin 6B&S cable from the jack compartment in rear of vehicle, behind the rear wall panel and then under the door opening mouldings etc and then through the existing cable entry point behind the glovebox and into the engine bay where it is coiled up ready for final electrical connection to VSR and starting battery etc.
Running the cable through all the tight spots was tricky but by using a length of thin reasonably flexible plastic rod with hole in end to tie cable to helped considerably. So did rubbing vaseline on the rod and cable.....was super easy to get through firewall.
The end of the cable in the rear jack compartment is fitted with an Anderson plug to connect to my ARKPAK with it's 130AH AGM deep cycle battery.
Anyway, many websites showing dual battery wiring diagrams mentions connecting maxifuses or similar to the positive terminals of both the starting and the auxilary batterises to protect against a short circuit anywhere in the cabling. Many diagrams don't show additional fuses.
On the Australian Direct website, Matson Dual Voltage Isolators (VSRs) are mentioned.
I have copied the specs from the Matson website below:-
START QUOTE
quote:
Specifications
Rated Voltage 12V
Rated Amperage 140A
Cut In 13.3V
Cut Out 12.8V
Weight 0.25kg
Dimensions 7.7x 8.5x 5cm
The VSR or voltage sensitive relay is what allows two batteries to be charged simultaneously and then isolates them from each other when the vehicle is turned off.
When the engine is first started the relay opens, isolating the two batteries this remains open until the primary battery had reached the preset voltage of 13.3V. The relay then closes, allowing the two batteries to be charged together. Then when the engine is stopped the voltage returns to normal levels which allows the relay to open again. This separates the two batteries and this eliminates the possibility of discharging your main starting battery.
Once this smart solenoid detects your main battery is at full charge it will automatically begin to charge your auxiliary battery.
Note: These isolators are internally fused, additional fusing IS NOT required for installation.
END QUOTE
I am interested in the above statement that indicates that additional fusing IS NOT required.
I have sent an email to Matson asking them to clarify this statement and whether the internal fuse of the isolator replaces the need for the maxi fuses.
I am waiting their reply.
All in all, once wiring completed I will have a faster charging system for my ARKPAK deep cycle battery via the Anderson plug and will be able stay away for days and weeks without concern of running out of auxiliary power because of the slow charging via the vehicle 12V auxiliary power socket. .......well that's the hope anyway.
The beauty of the ARKPAK is its portability and I can remove it and my fridge/freezer from the car and put in tent knowing that it will last up to 3 days minimum running fridge/lighting etc before needing a recharge. It worked great on the Watagans camp trip recently.
cheers
Last edited by jalalski, 23/Jun/2014, 10:34 am
--- Dave Peek
X-1756 (c)
2010 T31 ST-L (S2) CVT Precision Grey.
Tow Bar, bash plates, PEDDERS lift, YOKO GEO 15 AT/S tyres.
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23/Jun/2014, 10:30 am
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Toddyh03
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Dual Batteries
quote: dlpeek wrote:
I am interested in the above statement that indicates that additional fusing IS NOT required.
Misleading statement Dave. It means that the isolator itself is internally fuse to protect the isolator. Is is not fused to protect the wiring. You will still need either a circuit breaker or maxi fuse at each end of the positive cable.
--- Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
My XTrail
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23/Jun/2014, 10:50 am
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dlpeek
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 12-2010
Location: Macquarie Fields SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 1025
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Re: Dual Batteries
Finally set up for a dual battery system to complement my Arkpak. Hopefully now the best of both worlds. The Arkpak, being extremely portable and with a 130AH deep cycle battery, has proven itself to continually power my waeco fridge/freezer for nearly 3 days before draining the battery to below 50% of charge....considering cooler months and restricting opening fridge until really needed.
Now with the ability to recharge this auxiliary battery a lot quicker via the vehicle alternator, I am confident that "fridge/freezer" power is available as long as I need it on the road.
What is my setup??
I firstly ran twin 6B&S cable from engine bay to rear of vehicle as mentioned in previous post. I purchased a Matson VSR Dual Battery Isolator and mounted it in engine bay (Pic 1 below).
One terminal of the VSR is connected to the +ve terminal of the cranking battery via a 40Amp circuit breaker (Pic 1 below), The other terminal of the VSR is connected to another 40Amp circuit breaker in the vehicle rear compartment just before terminating to the +ve of an Anderson plug (Pic 2 below). The Anderson plug will connect directly into the Arkpak (for charging) which is protected by an internal 10 amp fuse.
Testing: Today I connected a multimeter to the Anderson plug in the rear compartment. I then started the engine and the red light on the VSR lit up.......so far so good.
I then checked the multimeter which showed 14.22 Volts (see pic 2)...great for recharging the battery in the Arkpak.
I then turned engine off. The red light on the VSR remained on until the multimeter connected to rear Anderson plug stepped down to 12.7 Volts. Red light on VSR then turned "off" indicating starting battery now isolated from rear battery connection which is exactly what is required.
Note: next step is to actually connect the Anderson plug to the Arkpak while traveling to determine how quickly deep cycle battery charges up after draining it by 50% or thereabouts.
Pic 1. VSR mounted in engine bay and connected by 40Amp circuit breaker to +ve terminal of starting battery.
Pic 2. Rear compartment Anderson plug voltage output shown on meter while engine running. Note the other 40Amp circuit breaker in the +ve lead.
Why 40 Amp circuit breakers?........why not...they were imported cheaper than I could purchase in OZ AND I don't intend to connect anything to Arkpak that would draw that much current anyway, and a 40 Amp breaker/fuse would blow quicker if a situation did occur than a 100 amp mega fuse mentioned in some dual battery articles. Time will tell.
cheers
Last edited by dlpeek, 15/Jul/2014, 7:40 am
--- Dave Peek
X-1756 (c)
2010 T31 ST-L (S2) CVT Precision Grey.
Tow Bar, bash plates, PEDDERS lift, YOKO GEO 15 AT/S tyres.
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14/Jul/2014, 4:31 pm
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