Dual battery system & LiFePo backup battery?

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.

 

You can’t run a LiFePo in a dual battery system with an isolator.

 

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).

 

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

 

Very badass

 

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

 

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.

 

My dual battery by Off Grid Engineering powered by the Redarc DC to DC charger 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.

 

Another complete dual battery system made and offered here by Mole Overland:
https://www.moleoverland.com/product/5th-gen-4runner-complete-dual-battery-system/

 

Got a build thread with links on your wiring?

 

I’m not sure what you mean by “links on your wiring” but I do have a build thread https://www.4runners.com/threads/agent_outside-adventures-in-a-4runner-limited.8250/

 

Links as in, the items you used for the whole relay and harness area to keep it nice and neat

 

No links but if you look through the thread it has everything I used. Most of the stuff came from Weytek.

 

Thanks, last truck i had harnesses everywhere under my hood, wishing to keep it clean on this truck!

 

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?

 

Sweet setup!! Now id like to see a video opening and closing that RTT

 

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

 

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

 

I just had a battery blow up on me this year. Have at it....

 

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.

 

Marine....

 

It was EPA contained afterwards...

 

hmm...I thought LiFePo batteries, including marine, are sealed?

 

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...

 

That was a LiFePo battery?

 

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...

 

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.

 

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.

 

Nice dual battery setup!