Dual battery location

[azazeldeath]

I am putting a second battery into my car to keep the sound system from killing the battery. And to run accessories off it when I go camping (I go atleast once a month).

Now the question is where should I put it in a VZ Crewman. I was thinking of welding a bracket under the tray and putting it in a marine grade battery box but I am worried the wiring will get fried from the heat of the exhaust. So does anyone have any suggestions?

Enrico I am expecting some stupid post from you so atleast make sure it makes me laugh :P

[Slipper]

what about just in the boot? have a cover made to surround it so you still have access but it remains protected?

[azazeldeath]

Crewmans dont have a boot. It is a dual cab ute. Down side of it being in the tray is I will need to do alot of cutting into a very expensive tray and tray lining. Though it may be an alternative.

[Slipper]

boot = tray of ute....
and wouldnt the only cutting required be to wire the battery up (small hole) or to bolt it down,

[pjdm1980]

Why not just get a yellow top battery and a capacitor?

[azazeldeath]

I have a massive truck battery (and I mean massive I had to do some welding to make a new bracket for it), 1 farad capacitor, 120amp alternator. But if you turn off the car the later 2 do nothing. Which is a massive problem if your camping and running stuff off the battery. Last thing you want to have happen is to run out of power 200+km from the closest city.

I have had the problem before and I would much rather not repeat it.

[RiCeY]

Buy a portable generator?

Mounting the battery underneath shouldnt be an issue you can run the wiring away from the exhaust easily enough.

Just keep in mind the tray needs to be removed to access the fuel pump when designing your mounts.

[wraith]

Why don't you do the smart thing. Instead of complicating things. Buy a proper battery (as some one said yellow top) and then buy a solar panel kit to juice up the battery when your parked up.

[RiCeY]

Awesome idea solar panel that would fit on roof would only take a year to charge a battery

[HarmlessMuffinMan]

Not a lot of room under the hood. Have you considered build a slide in compartment for the passenger side footwell? Oviously nothing too big, just big enough to have the battery there, then run the coupling wires with the rest of the crap that runs through the fire wall. Either way its going to be a big screw around (Even if you managed to extend the current battery housing to have the two batteries side by side). May not be a cheap solution to it

[Slipper]

if you're worried about running out of battery buy one of those portable jump starters that you can throw in your glovebox, they plug into your cigarette lighter socket so you dont need a second car and hold their charge for years, that way in the event that you run out of battery you're covered

[wraith]

Awesome idea solar panel that would fit on roof would only take a year to charge a battery

You wouldn't be draining the battery flat dip shit. A charger that outputs just more then your draining will be fine and you would be surprised how small it can be. Get a clue before posting.

[RiCeY]

Ive obviously got more of a clue that you do.

Hes camping meaning most of the power will be used at night when theres no sun you moron. That and the rate most appliances and lighting draws current is higher than a small solar panel can match. And a battery can easily be drained in a matter of a few hours.

But keep living in your magic world of fairies and super solar panels.

[wraith]

So I guess that solar panel kit I sold to a customer last month for this specific reason was a gimmick. Funny considering he's pretty happy with it. Unless your running more then a fridge and a LED lamp why would you go camping.

[Gus]

So I guess that solar panel kit I sold to a customer last month for this specific reason was a gimmick. Funny considering he's pretty happy with it. Unless your running more then a fridge and a LED lamp why would you go camping.

Because you can't forget to bring the 42" television + playstation when you go camping

[azazeldeath]

All I run is a fridge, somtimes some 12v spotties, a 12v fan (sometimes in Darwin its needed when its over 40c lol and humid enough that you basically drink the air).

[ADR 40]

My old works Crewman was fitted up with a dual battery system to run the same gear as yourself plus an amber warning light bar,2way radios, 80 litre fridge, inverter etc..
We opted for both batteries (deep cycle & starter) to be set in a custom full width ute tool box fixed and set right up the front of the tub.
(Our Crewmans had a canopies, the box was designed to fit under a hardtop.)
In the box we put a partition to seal the batteries way from the other gear and ran a couple of vents out of the compartment. Both were housed on those marine poly battery boxes.
The rest of the toolbox was a keep safe for other gear & tools.
Also ran Anderson plugs, one under bonnet and one at rear by the towbar and made jumper leads to fit the Andersons to jump start our machinery or vice versa.
Had the same setups in our other Crewmans, a couple of Falcon RTV’s had those heavy duty Poly storage cases instead.
Just a hint.... as far as battery isolators go, we never had a problem with Redarc (200amp).... I can’t same the same about the other big name brands.

[azazeldeath]

Thank you so much for the info ADR 40. I will talk to a few people I know and see if they can weld me up a custom toolbox (will work out cheaper and they will make it a nice snug fit).