Auxiliary Battery installation in bed

[capttim]

We use our truck to overland. For what it may be worth I want to share my recent battery auxiliary battery installation.

I used a 120AHr, Kickass AGM deep cycle. The battery was chosen for its narrow footprint. Charging underway is provided via a Victron 12.12.30 DC-DC charger powered by the truck. I provided for 2 SAE import plugs ( for solar panels that have independent regulation and one input controlled by a Victron MPPT 75/15 solar controller. I provided for a 12 vdc outlet plug from the aux battery to supplement the factory 12vdc outlet powered by the truck starting battery. Finally, a rotary cross over switch was installed. The default position is OFF. It is available to jump the starting battery if needed.

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[Sagebrush]

Nice. Out of curiosity, why the AGM over a lithium?

 

[gofastdan]

Nice set up. Can you charge the battery from both alternator and solar at the same time or do you have some sort of switch to only charge from one or the other (automatically or manually switched)?

When I was looking for a solution my primary concern was I wanted to charge from solar whenever it was available but then supplement that with alternator charging whenever the truck was running. I didn't want to have to remember to switch back and forth and my solar generator (Ecoflow Delta 2) only had one dc input. I could have used a couple of relays and created some sort of break-before-make type circuit but that seemed like a pretty inelegant solution. I ended up (long story) with the ETaker F2000 and am quite happy with it.

I realize I'm using more of an all-in-one solution as opposed to your a la carte approach but I can see myself moving in the direction you've taken at some point.

 

[DeadSetMonkey]

Can you please describe where you are tapping into alternator power?
Did you make a diagram of your install? Love to see a schmatic?

 

[capttim]

Several reasons. My background is running boats with AGM and or Gel. With good charge control I usually replace these batteries on a 7 year cycle. So for my use AGM is more cost efficient. On my Gen 3 I sold the truck with a 5 year old AGM and it was strong. The Victron DCDC allows very precise charge control

Nice set up. Can you charge the battery from both alternator and solar at the same time or do you have some sort of switch to only charge from one or the other (automatically or manually switched)?

When I was looking for a solution my primary concern was I wanted to charge from solar whenever it was available but then supplement that with alternator charging whenever the truck was running. I didn't want to have to remember to switch back and forth and my solar generator (Ecoflow Delta 2) only had one dc input. I could have used a couple of relays and created some sort of break-before-make type circuit but that seemed like a pretty inelegant solution. I ended up (long story) with the ETaker F2000 and am quite happy with it.

I realize I'm using more of an all-in-one solution as opposed to your a la carte approach but I can see myself moving in the direction you've taken at some point.

MY PANELS ARE NOT PERMANENTLY MOUNTED SO I DID NOT DEAL WITH ISSUE YOU RAISE. WHILE ON ROAD I WILL RUN THE ARB FREEZER OFF THE 110V / INVERTER BUT ALSO HAVE THE FREEZER PLUGGED IN TO THE 12 VDC AUX OUTLET. THE FREEZER DEFAULTS TO 110V IF AVAILABLE. BECAUSE OF THE HIGH TEMPS WE SOMETIMES TRAVEL IN-- I PROVIVDED FOR 3 SOLAR INPUTS. ALSO - WITH 10 GA CABLES I CAN RUN PANELS INTO THE SUN BUT HAVE RIG IN SHADE IF IT CAN BE FOUND

 

[capttim]

Can you please describe where you are tapping into alternator power?
Did you make a diagram of your install? Love to see a schmatic?

I DID NOT DRAW A PLAN. I DID THE COMPLETE INSTALLATION-- EXCEPT FOR THE DC/DC CHARGER. ON THE TH AND OTHER HYRIDS THERE IS NO ALTERNATOR AND THE 12 V START BATTERY IS UNDER REAR SEAT AND IS CHARGED OFF STEP DOWN FROM TRACTION BATTERY. FRANKLY I HAD THE DEALER WIRE IN THE VICTRON DC-DC CHARGER BECAUSE I WANT NO BLOW BACK FROM TOYOTA THAT I DID SOMETHING WRONG AND WANTED NO ARGUMENT ABOUT THE WARRANTY BEING IN FULL FORCE. I POSTED EARLIER ABOUT WHAT FOLKS WERE DOING TO CHARGE AUX BATTERIES AND DIDNT GET MUCH INFO

 

[jsuber]

For those looking to do a DC to DC charging system can take a look at this product by LiTime on Amazon I use a lot of their stuff and will post my system next week.

 

[Delta1Seven]

Interesting build! What bed cover is that installed?

 

[JoeMongo]

Looks like good work to me (very experienced EE) with a small exception which I am pretty sure that you have covered already.

You probably don't allow any loose loads in the bed of your truck.
j.

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