We are purchasing a new 200 Diesel Landcruiser. Our Question is as it already has duel batteries, has anyone fitted a third battery under the bonnet with a isolator. where was it placed as we want it to run the caravan fridge and other accessories.
Duel batteries? does that mean they are about to fight each other in a duel?
(just joking, I know you mean dual)
I'm not familiar with the Landcruiser but are the dual batteries both starting batteries or is one the starting battery and the other an auxiliary battery?
To power a caravan fridge the logical place to install the battery would be in the caravan and not the vehicle. If it's to power an Engel (or similar) type fridge in the vehicle then you're talking about under the bonnet (assuming there's space available)
Both TJM and ARB (and probably others) have complete dual battery kits that include the mounting tray as well as the isolator for most 4WDs. Talk to your friendly neighbourhood 4WD shop and/or check the TJM and ARB websites.
We currently have a 120 Series Prado and upgrading to the latest Landcruiser 200 series V8 Diesel, this already has 2 batteries standard to start the engine but we require a 3rd auxiliary battery to power the fridge, we already have the battery kit (from the Prado) but wish to know if anyone has fitted a 3rd battery under the bonnet to run the auxilary fridge.
The only place room for it to go is in the passanger firewall corner under the bonnet but it look like you have to move some other things to make it fit.
Has anyone attempted this!!!!!!!!!! If so what did they do!!!!!!
We don't want to put the battery on the inside of the cruiser.
It seems Toyota aren't keen on mounting a third battery under the bonnet due to lack of space and structural considerations. Some forums talk about splitting the original batteries and wiring them via a battery manager to use one as a starting battery and the other as an auxilliary. They also mention upgrading the batteries if you do this to handle the extra load subjected to the single starting battery.
Type into Google (or your preferred search engine) "fitting an auxilliary battery to a 200 series" without the quotes, or words to similar effect.
Hi bljkd, I have a 100 series cruiser and it uses two starting batteries in parallel. It's the norm for that series. They tell me that it's for reliable starting in cold climates. I have decieded that one is enough so I'm going to split it off the main battery and use it for my aux battery that we need for the car fridge. I will be using an isolator between the two to ensure the starting battery does not go flat. One thing you do need to be aware of and I have only just found out it that the alternator feed goes to the second battery first and the to the starter battery via a very heavy lead. I have not done this mod yet but have bought all the stuff to do so but will spend a bit more time making sure I get it right. Not sure when I'll get it done as we are currently heading for Queensland so may have to wait until we get back to Vic. Hope that has not confused you but intends to be right so make sure you get it right.
Regards
Brian
-- Edited by briche on Friday 16th of March 2012 11:15:16 PM
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