Aux battery install

[rockylaurence]

I decided that while camping and winching that an auxillary battery would be nice to have. First, I purchased and OEM battery tray for a 95 Explorer ($21.00--mounts on the drivers side) and installed it inplace of the Coolant overflow/Window washer tanks. Second, I searched around in the salvage yards looking for a small replacement tank that would fit in the area with the new battery. My search revealed that the tanks from an 87 Toyota fit nicely. The tray wasn't a "Drop-n" and required some fabrication for the front mounts. The tray and tank are inplace and all that's left is to purchase an Isolator, cables and battery. After all is said and done, I'll have 1900 CCA of power for those extended camping trips and long winch pulls. :redexp:

 

[aldive]

How are you going to isolate and switch the two batterys?

Post some pictures, please.

 

[Adam Berger]

I see it's too late now for you to change what you've done, but you could have just bought a dual battery tray like the one I have. It replaces the original battery with two slightly smaller ones and I can tell you it works a treat. The starter battery is a 560CCA battery, down from 650CCA. The auxillary battery is a Deep Cycle 40AH which isn't that great, but it does run my Engel fridge and camp light for a couple of days without starting the car. The whole system is run by a Piranha dual battery isolator unit. The beauty of it was that nothing had to be modified! The Piranha web site is www.piranhaoffroad.com.au where you can look it up and see it installed.

 

[rockylaurence]

Al, The isolator was $30.00 (AutoZone) and they wanted another $23 for an istallation kit! I bought the connectors, fittings, Shrink tubing, wire, etc for less than $10 at Home Depot. Today I finished everything except dropping in the new battery (WalMart tomarrow!)

Adam, sounds like a nice set up you have. I however, don't believe my 93 has enough room in that area to fit another battery (the 11"x7" bat takes up all the available room). BTW, I like WalMarts warranty on batteries--3 yrs free replacement.
Note: I had 3 MotorCraft batteries die in 2yrs while my Everlast (WalMart) hung in there for 4.:redexp:

 

[Adam Berger]

If your battery location is the same as later models then it will fit. I didn't think I would fit two there either, but as I explained, the two batteries are smaller, but the difference is they are mounted cross ways. I can't see why you wouldn't be able to go to this Walmart store that's in Americaland and get a battery to fit and still get your 3 year warranty. The Piranha kit doesn't include the batteries.

 

[Savage Wolf]

Originally posted by Adam Berger
If your battery location is the same as later models then it will fit. I didn't think I would fit two there either, but as I explained, the two batteries are smaller, but the difference is they are mounted cross ways. I can't see why you wouldn't be able to go to this Walmart store that's in Americaland and get a battery to fit and still get your 3 year warranty. The Piranha kit doesn't include the batteries.

After going and looking at the site, thats a great idea, but... it wouldnt work as well with the 91-94 Explorer
on the other hand I really like they way they have the isolator setup and main/deep cycle setup... now to find a isolator like it here in the states

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Note: it does look like a nice setup in for the newer X

 

[rockylaurence]

Adam, the 91-94 X's had there battery on the front passenger corner where the new X's have the Air cleaner. I finished the install today and ran on the highway to fully charge the new battery. Everything looks good!

 

[Adam Berger]

Would you be able to import it from Australia? I would've thought that the States would have everything, but maybe not this stuff. In Australia, there is big need to have these devices, especially in remote areas where if your car don't start, you might end up dead. This isolator works by monitoring both batteries. If ever the cranking battery needs charge it will send charge to it. When it is charged, and only when, it will then charge the aux battery. If ever ther cranking battery needs charge again it will stop charging the aux and swap over. This means you will always be able to start the car.

 

[Brian97V8]

Looks like the product I have been looking for.

Exactly how long does it take to make the swap?

 

[Adam Berger]

I would say about an hour or two. The hardest part is finding a place to mount the isolator unit. I mounted mine to the the PCM cover with very short screws.

 

[Brian97V8]

Do they have a US number or just Australian ones? I tried to fill the form out on the website but it kept giving me errors.

 

[Adam Berger]

You guys can get ARB products can't you? They are a distributor for Piranha. Maybe give them a try.

 

[Brian97V8]

Sadly no

I checked with ARB products and no dice. I guess it is back to square 1

 

[Adam Berger]

Try TJM cause they also distribute them.

 

[Brian97V8]

do you happen to know what that website is?

 

[Adam Berger]

Tjm's website is www.tjmproducts.com.au. They might be able to tell you who distributes them.

 

[Karl Williamson]

That web site address doesn't work

 

[arturogof]

Hi guys, what about prices, I can't find any prices for this dual battery kits in australia. Any stores in the US selling this?

 

[ld50]

My dual battery setup is in my sig.
The isolator is a cool idea, but it never allows current back to your first battery, you would need cables, or bypass wiring that you can switch on in order to jump yourself.

 

[Brian97V8]

Good ideas but my 1st battery is on the drivers side. I have a few ideas on this and would really like to get it going before camping season is back.