Dual Battery for 2008 Ford Ranger

[Billa]

I am in the process of installing a dual battery system in my Ranger. I had a portable battery in my Colt but decided to make the installation more permanent in the Ranger.

The ranger has got enough space on the left hand side to fit a 105 amp delco battery. I bought a battery bracket from Front Runner for the 105 amp battery and had to make some brackets to fit it to the body. The only obstruction was the hooter which I moved, as can be seen in the picture.

I will post more pictures as I progress which will hopefully be completed by the long weekend.

[MASTER]

Hi Billa,

What charging system will you be using in your vehicle?
NL?
MacroMaxi Split Charging Controller?
Genesis?
Other?

What did you pay for the bracket?

Regards,
Master

[Billa]

I have the NL system with the intelligent solenoid. The basic bracket (angle iron frame and clamp) was R140 and I had to make the support brackets to the body.

[Scrat]

Bye Bye Service plan......unless you received official authorisation from Ford and it's done by a Ford Certified installer.

[Pieter PBE]

There will only be an issue with warranties and service plans when a system is installed incorrectly, causing an alternator to burn out etc. If you do install a system like the MacroMaxi, you don't have any interference with vehicle wiring at all, as it is connected directly to the vehicle alternator.

It is not connected to any other ignition signal wires or any other part of the vehicle. If it is all done right, there will never be a problem. The problem comes in when a fitment was done incorrectly, then major problems can pop up.

There are many new vehicles done from the showroom floor, and even some vehicle dealers refer clients to trustworthy system manufacturers... And some other vehicle "dealers" and their technical personel in SA don't even have enough knowledge of these systems to certify or authorize it...

It is not just that easy to lose a warranty on a vehicle just because it is not certified... How many DVD systems for example, and other 4x4 accessories are in fact certified or authorized? It is a difficult debate... I see your point though, because there are guys that really should never touch a vehicle

[MASTER]

can anyone show me a decent installer these days? Do we need authorization for every accessorry we install into our vehicles?

I have seen some big profile installers messing up vehicles real bad because of low quality fitments.

Is it bye bye service plan when I exchange my current headlight bulbs to xenon bulbs - DIY?

I am sure that there is some way that a DIY system can be installed by yourself without Ford cancelling the guarantee/service plan

[Billa]

I confirmed with ford before the installation and they ok it. Same with the unit I installed in my colt and my friend’s colt both the OEM had no issue as long as you don’t interfere with the existing wiring harness. The National Luna intelligent solenoid has got no interference with the existing wiring, you basically install the second battery in parallel with your vehicle’s battery and the solenoid will automatically pick up when to connect the auxiliary battery for charging.

[Billa]

I have finally complete the installation and put it to use the past week on my hunting trip.

[Uys]

Billa.

Your mounting brackets looks good. Just make sure that you have sufficient support on the other side of the bolt, such as a body washer, or ideally a piece of flat bar that spans longer than the spacing of the mounting bolts. Vibrations will cause serious cracking and evetually complete failure if the pressure is not properly distributed.

Uys

[Billa]

Uys

Thanks. Yes, I used oversized washers on the otherside to distribute the pressure. I was and still is concerned about cracks forming and will monitor it. The main battery braket is mounted almost the same and I tried to replicate the original mounting method of the main battery.