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Dual Battery Charging

Discussion in 'Electrical' started by sea_weathered, Aug 29, 2021.

  1. Aug 29, 2021 at 7:35 PM
    #1
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    Hey friends! I'm looking to the internet for advice
    I've been slowly building out my 2018 Tundra as an all-round adventure, touring, camping rig for a couple years. I've done a pretty good job of keeping my electrical needs fairly low, a couple low draw LED's, a 12v water pump, and the occasional use of an electric heated blanket. well that all just changed with the addition of a 12v refrigerator. The IceCo VL60D.
    I have a new replacement lead acid starting battery in the truck now, but just watching the voltage I know I'm taxing the hell out of it!
    so, at first I weighed the option of just going with a single, dual purpose battery like the Optima Yellow top. but that leaves me really relying an awful lot on one battery.
    so I've landed on adding a second battery in the bed. I'm looking at 100ah AGM options currently.
    So my question is really about charging this battery. over the last few days I've basically given myself a crash course on how the various charging systems work, and I feel fairly overwhelmed with making a decision at this point. I'm looking for simplicity in my electrical system. I'm perfectly competent in keeping an eye on my battery levels, but I don't need the biggest baddest system out there, just something that works. I drive the truck daily, and will be relying on my alternator to do the work for now.. And figure I can plug in a trickle charger when I'm home if necessary.
    Do these trucks have a "smart alternator"?
    Of these three units, what would you suggest? and why?
    https://www.keylinechargers.com/pro...off-road-vehicles-rhino-polaris-artic-cat-etc

    https://www.bluesea.com/products/7610/SI-ACR_Automatic_Charging_Relay_-_12_24V_DC_120A

    https://www.renogy.com/dcc50s-12v-50a-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt/

    :worthless:B95F8229-097C-47B6-8F93-FEA653A9FBE3.jpg A0E010A0-355E-48FA-9C50-03EA7CCC824B.jpg1E8619E3-C631-489D-B837-496D397F38BD.jpg
     
  2. Aug 29, 2021 at 7:42 PM
    #2
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Blue Sea hands down. They've got a long, positive track record in the marine industry. I've got several friends that have been using their ACR for several years for exactly what you intend
     
  3. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:05 PM
    #3
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    I really like what I read about the Blue Sea ACR, but I’m concerned about getting a proper charge on an AGM battery from the Tundras alternator. Are your friends running this setup on a newer Tundra?
     
    831Tun[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #4
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I think they're running a voltage boosting alternator fuse. Can't find the proper fuse right now but here a link to the company that makes the one I use:https://www.hkbelect.com/product/295-mk4-adjustable-alternator-voltage-booster-2006/
    @Vizsla knows more than I about this.
     
  5. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:17 PM
    #5
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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  6. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:21 PM
    #6
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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  7. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:40 PM
    #7
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    Serious question about AGM, aren’t you guys worried about over-discharge? It looks like they are very sensitive to being over-discharged. Wouldn’t a deep cycle be the way to go, if mounting upright of course?

    As for the ACR, almost anything used in a marine application is superior to products designed for road applications. Browsing ocean going applications gets you even more reliable products. Just my $.02.
     
  8. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:43 PM
    #8
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    Have similar needs, no we don’t have a smart alternator. Ran a voltage booster, and know a few others. Doesn’t seem to work for me. I run a Battery Doctor isolator that comes with bracket to mount on side of battery, had to use some adhesive glue/silicone to keep secure for my use, but works perfect.




    43423F8C-80C1-44B5-9984-560603127EBD.jpgA03FF455-A092-4E49-9926-6DAE1C684142.jpg
     
  9. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:45 PM
    #9
    eick

    eick New Member

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    The dc to dc charger would be a good fit if you plan on going with solar at some point, or running different battery chemistry with your second battery
     
  10. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:57 PM
    #10
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    So if you were starting from scratch, with a lead acid starting battery, like I am right now. What setup would you go with? And what about the GM 12135037 diode, to boost alternator output?
     
  11. Aug 29, 2021 at 8:59 PM
    #11
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    I have solar, no dc to dc though, external charge controller via SAE port. Super simple.04244973-3B88-4847-9349-11D0CA4FD20C.jpg
     
  12. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:01 PM
    #12
    eick

    eick New Member

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    Yea but if he has the renology with the built in mppt then he doesn’t need an external charge controller. I just threw that out as food for thought.
    If you go blue sea acr it’s great but then you still have to buy a charge controller for solar panels.

    If you’re not gonna ever use solar then go blue sea, get the one with the switch though IMO
     
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  13. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:04 PM
    #13
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    Exactly what I did, it’s perfect. You can spend more on better batteries, but that will be as needed for me.
     
  14. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:14 PM
    #14
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    Okay awesome! You don’t see there being any problem running an AGM battery through the isolator while using a lead acid starting battery?
    And I misunderstood your first reply, you don’t think a voltage booster is doing much?
     
  15. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:19 PM
    #15
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    Nope. Truck uses lead acid charging profile as equipped. AGM will not charge fully, but survives the deep cycle use you require.
     
  16. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:30 PM
    #16
    crewmaxlmt

    crewmaxlmt How dare you!

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    If the AGM does not reach its full change from the stock voltage change, does it still outperform the lead acid batteries?
     
  17. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:33 PM
    #17
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    And like I’d said originally, I can throw the house battery on a trickle charger every once and a while to top it up.
    You don’t seem to interested in the DC to DC charge system, beyond being a lot more expensive, are there any other reasons you’d steer away from one of those?
     
  18. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:33 PM
    #18
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    Oh, damn good question!
     
  19. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:35 PM
    #19
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    Yes. I’m no expert but it’s the ability to go deep discharge and recover. Whatever, my shit works good.
     
  20. Aug 29, 2021 at 9:40 PM
    #20
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    I wired for DC to DC charger, but cost $$$ at the time. After real use can’t justify the expense now. If starting over might be different saving a few bucks on separate solar charger, but doubt it.
     
  21. Aug 29, 2021 at 10:47 PM
    #21
    Cruzer

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    I’m using the Redarc BCDC1225D onboard charger. It has a built in MPPT function for solar charging and it’s waterproof - I have it installed under the bed along with my 120ah AGM battery. I like it cuz I only have one smart device to handle all of the recharging.
     
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  22. Aug 29, 2021 at 11:04 PM
    #22
    Occidentalis

    Occidentalis Out Snakin'

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    I went Redarc too, Manager30 behind the rear seats.
     
  23. Aug 30, 2021 at 3:54 AM
    #23
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    Oh now that’s badass! How did you mount your battery under the bed?
     
  24. Aug 30, 2021 at 4:47 AM
    #24
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    I’ve had the genesis dual battery system with agm batteries for years and just put the gm diode in. I’ve never had a big problem with the batteries not being charged, but every time I would test them they’d say they needed a charge. My voltage would go between ~14 when first starting the truck all the way down to under 13.5. Now it stays around 14-14.5 with the diode.

    https://www.chitown4x4.com/agm-battery-voltage-upgrade.html
     
  25. Aug 30, 2021 at 5:21 AM
    #25
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    After reading through all the information, it seems that the DCDC charger with solar input might be worth the initial investment. It helps to future proof my setup, with the ability to run different battery types and add solar down the road, plus it sounds like my battery will be more healthy?
    So which one? This Ronogy unit puts out 50a. And is on sale for $263.99, and the Redarc unit puts out 25a and is $389. The choice based on these numbers makes the Renogy unit the obvious choice, but is there something about the Redarc that makes it worth that much more money?
    It would be mounted in my bed, and while it wouldn’t be directly exposed to rain, it is a damp environment in the winter.
    https://www.renogy.com/dcc50s-12v-50a-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt/

    https://redarcelectronics.com/products/dual-input-25a-in-vehicle-dc-battery-charger
     
  26. Aug 30, 2021 at 5:52 AM
    #26
    eick

    eick New Member

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    I’d check the reviews on the renology and also check their respective warranties. The redarc may come with more of the accessory type stuff as well
     
  27. Aug 30, 2021 at 6:15 AM
    #27
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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  28. Aug 30, 2021 at 6:31 AM
    #28
    Cruzer

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    Above the rear diff and slightly behind.

    IMG_0383 (1).jpg
     
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  29. Aug 30, 2021 at 6:36 AM
    #29
    sea_weathered

    sea_weathered [OP] New Member

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    That’s thinking outside the box! Nice work!
     
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  30. Aug 30, 2021 at 6:40 AM
    #30
    Cruzer

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    You want your charger to be in the same ambient temperature as the battery and for best results the battery should be kept in a cool area, which is why I chose underneath the truck. Looks like the Renogy is more of an RV setup, where you have to keep it away from the elements, whereas the Redarc and Ironman4x4 units are purpose built for off road/overlanding.
     

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