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Seasoned...
Joined: Sat Oct 21st, 2017
Location: Near The Pointy End , USA
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Great project, congratulations! I was wondering where you have your second battery located?
Best regards,
Rick
Secondary battery system was/is an interesting design task.. Its been awhile since I've updated anything on the forums here or elsewhere and i don't have any of the build photos up either of course during the progress yet. But the spare tire carrier rack under the Ford Ranger provides a creative opportunity in my opinion.
I've taken an Alum-box 67L Size modified it internally to side saddle a pair (@2) of Exide AGM 200 marine batteries for a couple reasons but they offered over 4.5X the vibration protection of a typical heavy duty, anchor-bonded product, and over 14X the vibration protection compared to a standard similar built or priced batteries out there and I've had great luck with Exide in hot places specifically considering heat kills batteries. Plus my favorite shop here carries them..
Anyway, The National Luna setup works great keeping everything charged as it should, main batteries first which is rather quick considering I have the 130A Alternator swapped in and not everything I need to account for inside or outside for that matter. Once I do, I'll be doing a quite a bit of power source swapping for some more convenient and smarter reasons. And then the 280w static alternator will go in and complete that portion and make the 1/0 Cable be more useful.
Other options that came in after the fact was of course the need and desire for a solar setup for backup options that don't require the engine to be ran while either recharging or maintaining while in use during the day, and the addition of a shore plug so I can plug in somewhere to a 120v power source.
The Spare tire rack lends to the reduced space in the bed or under the hood, its near same specs as a OEM spare tire in size and keeps the extra weight of such plus a bit more down low and mostly between the rear frame rails really. It also allows me to lower down the space and access the batteries should I need to check them or maintain anything, check seals or main fuses inside. Plus, its my hope to find a 4BTa 3.9L Cummins to swap in and when I do.. again my favorite shop has access to a 34gal extended fuel tank that fits where the factory one does and then some and things will really balance out.
I'll try to spend some time updating this further.
Last edited on Mon Feb 17th, 2020 10:04 pm by Undrstm8ed
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