Dual Battery Buggery

[Peter Connan]

Thanks Peter. I do have another deep cycle battery available that i'd like to fit in the trailer. Also a 200W solar panel with Mppt.
I see 4x4 direct have a WRND 20Amp dc-dc charger. Would you suggest that one or something else ?

I don't have any experience with WRND. They seem to have a reasonable reputation on the forum though.

[HunterNW]

I don't have any experience with WRND. They seem to have a reasonable reputation on the forum though.

Or Victron Orion. Sounds like Victron is the "norm".

[Stranger]

Thanks Peter. I do have another deep cycle battery available that i'd like to fit in the trailer. Also a 200W solar panel with Mppt.
I see 4x4 direct have a WRND 20Amp dc-dc charger. Would you suggest that one or something else ?

NO, this one Lithium ready

https://wrnd.co.za/index.php?route=p...&product_id=50

[iandvl]

Or Victron Orion. Sounds like Victron is the "norm".

I roll with a Victron Orion DC/DC charger. I acquired it because I got a great price on it when I upgraded, and I already had a Victron solar charge controller.

Advantages: The WRND is cheaper, and includes a MPPT solar charge controller.

Disadvantages: It includes a MPPT solar charge controller.

The last point (ie: disadvantages) is because many folk prefer to have a bit more redundancy in their setup.

[iandvl]

NO, this one 40 amp Lithium ready

https://wrnd.co.za/index.php?route=p...&product_id=50

That is only 20 amps - not 40A.

[HunterNW]

NO, this one Lithium ready

https://wrnd.co.za/index.php?route=p...&product_id=50

Thanks Stranger. Didn't see the 40Amp one. Wiring seems easy.

And I know you told me about the solar panel and controller to keep the batteries charged at home, but I do have a solar setup for home, so the sun pays. Ac - DC charger you'd suggest ? I want to mount it in the trailer so i can charge the batteries at camping sites with electricity.

[Stranger]

That is only 20 amps - not 40A.

Yep, corrected, but there are two still on the market, one is Lithium ready the other one is not. You can tell by the green symbol on the unit.

[HunterNW]

That is only 20 amps - not 40A.

Correct. Need to buy two and connect in parallel.

[Stranger]

https://midas.co.za/midas/breakdown-...-chargers.html

Pro-User Smart Battery Charger 22 Amp 12 & 24V

[Luka]

If I may ask, what would the reason be for not going with one of these setups?

https://za.ecoflow.com/products/delt...41630469652689

https://flexopower.co.za/collections...-by-flexopower

https://flexopower.co.za/collections...-plug-and-play

[Pieter de Waal]

I don't want to come across as rude, but it sounds like you have been using the same system for 40 years

It is now 2024, technology has changed and has updated to seriously more efficient systems than the above.

Point taken and no offence. I developed it for the first 20 and been using it as a plug and play ever since. It works perfectly everytime so I see no need to update to the newer inferior technology everyone seem to battle with. I am very technical and can see where the new guys are missing the point. When I start up in the morning I bank enough Ah in the first hour to survive another night. In a 2 hour game drive I can do about 80 to 90 Ah. My standard alternator capacity is my 'limitation' but still above my requirement. Running a fridge and feezer with up to 3 to 105Ah lead acids. None of the new techs can better that performance. My party trick is to serve frozen icecream after day 5.

If someone tells you that it is simple to keep a second battery fully charged, be very afraid, he has no idea what he is talking about.

[AfricainHD]

Point taken and no offence. I developed it for the first 20 and been using it as a plug and play ever since. It works perfectly everytime so I see no need to update to the newer inferior technology everyone seem to battle with. I am very technical and can see where the new guys are missing the point. When I start up in the morning I bank enough Ah in the first hour to survive another night. In a 2 hour game drive I can do about 80 to 90 Ah. My standard alternator capacity is my 'limitation' but still above my requirement. Running a fridge and feezer with up to 3 to 105Ah lead acids. None of the new techs can better that performance. My party trick is to serve frozen icecream after day 5.

If someone tells you that it is simple to keep a second battery fully charged, be very afraid, he has no idea what he is talking about.

haha, I think we will agree to disagree. I couldn't possibly carry 3 lead acids, the space and weight is ridculous. With modern technology, I can get my 30amp per hour of charge as well. I can even park at a water hole for a few hours and still get over 10 amps/h into my battery.

There is no right and wrong, it is what works for an individual. There are just many different ways to go about a 12v system.

I have a 10 minute drive to the office and back every day, with solar on the vehicle, my fridge is permanently on and right now my battery is hanging out at 100% on absorption charge. Don't try knock modern technology if you haven't used it and the, I don't know this "everyone who seems to battle with it". It is really set and forget.

My biggest reason for going modern, 5 years ago, was weight and size. We have a similar setup in respects of usable power to you, yet my total system with all chargers, solar panel and controllers etc. comes in at roughly 35kg.

I don't eat ice cream at parties My ice is good enough for my refreshments

[putta]

I realise there are many posts of this nature, but I have a specific scenario for which I need help please...
Long story short; I'm looking for advice on a dual battery setup.
Short story long; the vehicle that I recently purchased (2017 Pajero Sport) came with some "infrastructure", and I don't know whattado from here...


Requirements:

• Would like the ability to charge via DC-DC (off car alternator), solar, and 220v AC (is that overkill?)
• Lithium (LiFePo4? +-105AH?)

........I look forward to your thoughts (please and thanks!)

don't wish to derail this topic, but one does get"Drop in" Lead acid compatible 100Ah LiFePo4 battery like this from Takealot or [email protected].
https://www.takealot.com/lithtech-12v-100ah-lifepo4-battery/PLID93068935

Could one not then use this Lead acid "Drop in" replacement LiFePo4 battery in the existing system? and add solar or Ac charger?

[AfricainHD]

If I may ask, what would the reason be for not going with one of these setups?

https://za.ecoflow.com/products/delt...41630469652689

https://flexopower.co.za/collections...-by-flexopower

https://flexopower.co.za/collections...-plug-and-play

My wife would want to take her hairdryer

[Luka]

My wife would want to take her hairdryer

Point taken! Still, for size, weight and multiple use, this just makes more sense. At least to me.

Sent from my SM-A336E using SA 4x4 Community Forum mobile app

[Bob9863]

There's no real one size fits all approach to dual battery systems, the key is understanding how to get the best from what you have.
There's no set and forget systems either, when running a dual battery you always have to keep an eye on it.
The key to running fridges is to know how much they actually consume, I've tested mine on dual purpose large batteries, agm dual battery's and smaller lithium to see what is the easiest to maintain and which one gets draind the fastest and what charges them the best in different situations.
But one thing I have learnt is not to waste my money on cheap ebay batteries, chargers or solar controllers, spend the coin on good batteries and systems from a reputable maker and it will save you money in the long run, and keep your food safe.

[CharlieT]

https://summitoffroad.co.za/projects/ratpack/

I recently purchased this battery pack for R18 999.00 and can highly recommend.

Includes:

1kVA Inverter (pure sine wave) 220V
25A DC-DC charger
120AH LiFEP04 battery
25A Solar Charger input
220VAC charger input 25A
Plenty of outputs - 12V Hella, 12V Cigarette, 12V anderson, 220VAC outputs
Battery monitor both on the unit and connects to cell phone and gives battery levels, loads, charging etc.

It uses the Wolmacor DC-DC and Solar charger - which is highly rated on this forum

It is very solidly built and high quality. Also the suppliers were very easy to deal with and offered great service.

I don't believe you could build a unit with these features for less. Works out far cheaper than the National Luna, especially as it has the built in Inverter. When not in the vehicle, I use it in the office for backup power.

[HennieC]

Hi Nick, not sure if I am too late. Please check my ad on Classifieds. I'm selling a battery bix with 20A Ctek DC-DC and solar MPPT. All you need is a new battery and you will have a great system for around R8000, to suit your needs

[Dungbeetle]

https://summitoffroad.co.za/projects/ratpack/

I recently purchased this battery pack for R18 999.00 and can highly recommend.

Includes:

1kVA Inverter (pure sine wave) 220V
25A DC-DC charger
120AH LiFEP04 battery
25A Solar Charger input
220VAC charger input 25A
Plenty of outputs - 12V Hella, 12V Cigarette, 12V anderson, 220VAC outputs
Battery monitor both on the unit and connects to cell phone and gives battery levels, loads, charging etc.

It uses the Wolmacor DC-DC and Solar charger - which is highly rated on this forum

It is very solidly built and high quality. Also the suppliers were very easy to deal with and offered great service.

I don't believe you could build a unit with these features for less. Works out far cheaper than the National Luna, especially as it has the built in Inverter. When not in the vehicle, I use it in the office for backup power.

Now carefully compare the above specs to those jackal, flexo etc. units in the same price range and you will agree that this Summit and also stuff frm Wolmacor is just way way better

[Gungets Tuft]

NO, this one Lithium ready

https://wrnd.co.za/index.php?route=p...&product_id=50

Sheesh, that's a good deal for MPPT and charger. {sigh} ... My not-so-inner Scotsman is immediately interested, except that I don't need the MPPT, but it's still 1/2 the price of the Orion I was planning.

Luckily I had a few months to decide before the extended trip that might need the load bay battery I'm planning. Time for some research.