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Dual battery system & LiFePo backup battery?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by oldtimer, Sep 23, 2019.

  1. Sep 23, 2019 at 10:50 PM
    #1
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    Interesting dual battery system for 4runners at Off-Grid Engineering.

    What I like about it is that it isolates the backup battery, and recognizes when the vehicle is turned off so the main battery for cranking is not drained. System can even be hooked up to a solar panel, if you have a portable one or roof mounted.

    Has anyone installed a LiFePo battery in a dual battery system, and if so, comments? Thanks.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2019
  2. Sep 24, 2019 at 3:28 AM
    #2
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    You can’t run a LiFePo in a dual battery system with an isolator.
     
  3. Sep 24, 2019 at 12:30 PM
    #3
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    According to Off Grid Engineering , "The Redarc in-vehicle battery charger is not a traditional dual battery isolator. It is specifically designed to charge a battery that is a different chemistry than the primary battery" With the Redarc system, I can keep the factory flooded battery as the starting battery and use any battery as the auxiliary battery. (ie LiFePo, AGM etc).
     
    WallyT4R, KSJ08 and SlvrSlug like this.
  4. Sep 24, 2019 at 3:49 PM
    #4
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    That is correct, a DCDC charger allows you mismatch batteries. I misunderstood when you mentioned isolating the battery.

    This is the setup I use.
    https://youtu.be/ha4L7yUlTdk
     
  5. Sep 24, 2019 at 6:17 PM
    #5
    ManBeast

    ManBeast New Member

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    Very badass
     
    Agent_Outside[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Sep 24, 2019 at 7:09 PM
    #6
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    Wow....very very cool and a nice and neat job.....going to have to put a dual battery set up on the list of mods:)
     
    Agent_Outside[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Sep 24, 2019 at 10:13 PM
    #7
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    I was going to go dual battery at one point (still may) but so far I have been able to get by with just a Yeti 400 as a back up. I just can't justify the expense of the dual batteries at this time. Maybe it will change when I get the fridge...but...When I get a fridge I am going to upgrade my main battery to the same one Agent has as his main battery. Should be able to run the fridge for a couple of days without needing to charge with this battery. Will have a portable jump starter just in case and possibly solar.
     
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  8. Sep 25, 2019 at 5:46 PM
    #8
    Doglover2003

    Doglover2003 New Member

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    My dual battery by Off Grid Engineering powered by the Redarc DC to DC charger :thumbsup: It's for my fridge, off road lights, and winch. Also got it for the solar panel input when I install the solar panel up top.

    upload_2019-9-25_17-43-38.jpg

    upload_2019-9-25_17-44-3.jpg
     
    4 Sticks and WallyT4R like this.
  9. Sep 26, 2019 at 12:20 PM
    #9
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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  10. Sep 28, 2019 at 12:45 PM
    #10
    ManBeast

    ManBeast New Member

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    Got a build thread with links on your wiring?
     
  11. Sep 29, 2019 at 5:09 AM
    #11
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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  12. Sep 29, 2019 at 9:53 AM
    #12
    ManBeast

    ManBeast New Member

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  13. Sep 29, 2019 at 2:48 PM
    #13
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    No links but if you look through the thread it has everything I used. Most of the stuff came from Weytek.
     
    ManBeast[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Sep 29, 2019 at 5:45 PM
    #14
    ManBeast

    ManBeast New Member

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    Thanks, last truck i had harnesses everywhere under my hood, wishing to keep it clean on this truck!
     
  15. Sep 30, 2019 at 11:06 AM
    #15
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    I found a made in China 12v 75ah battery for US$400.00. This is less than half price. Anyone have experience with Chinese made LiFePo batteries? Also, what are the risks with installing a LiFePo auxilliary battery in the engine compartment, passenger side?
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2019
  16. Sep 30, 2019 at 5:00 PM
    #16
    Backwoods

    Backwoods New Member

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    Sweet setup!! Now id like to see a video opening and closing that RTT :)
     
  17. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:25 PM
    #17
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    I don’t have one, but I have this video from a year ago, literally the first time I ever opened it to show my son.

    https://youtu.be/_sL1aKbj6tQ
     
  18. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:36 PM
    #18
    Backwoods

    Backwoods New Member

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    Thats awesome man! Looks like a very nice setup. And cute kid. I miss mine being that young.... SOMETIMES... Other times im happy they are old enough to wash their own clothes, wash dishes, and clean there own rooms :D
     
  19. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:37 PM
    #19
    SR5 Limited

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    I just had a battery blow up on me this year. Have at it....
     
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  20. Oct 1, 2019 at 7:14 PM
    #20
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    literally blow up? any pictures of your engine bay? I thought LiFePo batteries can't blow up and burn like Li-oxide batteries can blow up and burn. What do you believe the cause was? Can't be over charging if you are charging through a functioning RED arc DC to DC charger.
     
  21. Oct 1, 2019 at 7:15 PM
    #21
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Marine....8366DC38-A7CF-4225-8C18-07D4A7F427B9.jpg
     
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  22. Oct 1, 2019 at 7:16 PM
    #22
    SR5 Limited

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    It was EPA contained afterwards...
     
  23. Oct 1, 2019 at 7:36 PM
    #23
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    hmm...I thought LiFePo batteries, including marine, are sealed?
     
  24. Oct 1, 2019 at 7:37 PM
    #24
    SR5 Limited

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    It’s a marine battery and it went off two feet from my head.:)
    Luckily it was contained under my center console and I wasn’t on the water. Prob five years old kept on a battery tender...
     
  25. Oct 1, 2019 at 7:42 PM
    #25
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    That was a LiFePo battery?
     
  26. Oct 1, 2019 at 7:45 PM
    #26
    SR5 Limited

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    Not sure. I had two battery’s in my Z28. Just an isolator splitting them and evenly charging. Worked great for years just had to shed some weight...
     
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  27. Oct 1, 2019 at 8:14 PM
    #27
    oldtimer

    oldtimer [OP] New Member

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    Looking at the popped filler caps, it looks like a wet battery to me. I'm no wiring expert, but it is my understanding that even with an isolator,
    battery types shouldn't be mixed. An exception is the REDarc that is not only an isolator, but a DC charger that can independently charge different battery types, and stops charging the batteries automatically when they are fully charged. Regardless, your comment has given me pause to give further consideration to installing a LiFePo auxilliary battery on the passenger side in the engine bay.
     
  28. Oct 28, 2020 at 12:01 AM
    #28
    DC4OU

    DC4OU New Member

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    I called and talked to Battleborn Batteries today. They said that their battery could be put under the hood. It will shut off below 25 degrees and above 130 degrees for charging but it will still dispense power. It is a 100 amp battery so you have 80 usable amps. My only concern is can you get it in the passenger side. The battery is 12.75” long and everyone acts like 11” is as big as you can go but it looks like it would fit. Does anyone have a battery that is mounted that could look and see if a 12.75” battery would fit? It would be greatly appreciated.
     
  29. Nov 1, 2020 at 9:03 PM
    #29
    tundradan

    tundradan New Member

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    Nice dual battery setup!
     

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