Wanderlost's Dual Battery System Build Thread

Excellent question, I’m interested too

 

The Duracell is still operating perfectly, like the day we put it in!

 

Thank you so much for the answer, safe travels!

 

Hello, thanks to this site and people like you, I started upgrading my 2014 Trail. I like your idea of the Duracell AGM dual battery set up. I have a question for you, I noticed that the battery posts are a little farther on the Duracell, do you suggest replacing the OEM cables for longer ones, getting extensions for the OEM cables or simply bending the connectors to make them reach? Thanks in advance, and happy 4th of July!

 

To those asking for some info on this, consider a few alternatives.

Modular dual batteries to remove and take with you.
Lithium batteries vs AGM and usable capacity.
Solar inputs such as a DC DC charger.
Portable Solar Generators such as Bluetti and Jackery.
12v DC charging, DC DC 14.4v charging vs alternator 13.6v charging.

Before you bolt something permanently into your truck, consider the utility of having it modular. If you guys are interested I can make a video or two or write up something.

 

I'm installing a Battle Born Lithium as my auxiliary battery in my 2020 5th Gen ORP.
After researching installation location options, I've decided to locate the aux battery, passenger side near fire wall.
My concern is the heat in the engine bay and how it will effect the charging of and performance of the lithium battery.
I am considering installing some sort of heat shielding between the manifold and the aux battery, and installing hood vents to help dissipate heat from the engine bay.
Does anyone have a Lithium Battery installed in their engine bay and can give some feedback as to how well it functions?
Any other suggestions to help remove excessive heat from the engine bay?

 

With lithium you should really find a place inside for it.

 

Ben, sounds like we are Doing similar builds. I am currently taking ambient temperature readings of the engine bay in different situations. Planning on running some test when wheeling at Hard Rock in Ocala FL next weekend, and I will post my findings when I have them. Thanks for your reply.

 

To pick up again on this thread and after some research, I took temp readings and the engine bay never went over 140*F. I’m not saying it’s not possible, but it didn’t happen in my situation. With that said, I decided to install the dual battery in the passenger side cargo area. It’s working out well...

 

Very cool @TOGORUNNER.

I'll share mine. I ran a 8AWG pair from the battery w/ a 30A breaker. I have a Victron Orion-TR Smart 12|12 18A charger that will hook up with the anderson connects, and the output of that unit will go to the custom LiFePo4 battery I built (90AH). This is a suitcase style setup, so I can move around to both vehicles as needed, or a picnic table, etc. It's main use is 12v fridge and phone chargers while camping, no inverter use. I have the Jackery E1000 for that.

 

BTW @TOGORUNNER did you have to install a remote wire for the CTEK or does it auto detect the voltage change in the main battery and begin charging the aux battery when it senses the vehicle is "ON"? I ask because my Lead Acid CTEK did that, but unsure how the 250SE does this.

Also, the CTEK is a great product, and also contain an MPPT Solar controller, so if you decide to utilize that, I installed a few LFD offroad crossbars, which use the factory side rails, and built a bracket to flush mount a solar panel in them, so they would be streamlined. It's only 50W, and produces a useable 32W-ish, but it's nice to keep the fridge running when I'm parked in a parking lot (like when we go check out a museum or something), and don't have to sweat if the battery is running down.