Setup for 3 battery system

[kgk47 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kgk47]

i am cosidering setting up a dual battery system in my toyota workmate but am wondering is such a sytem either with a diode ot DC charger will enable the charging of the battrey installed in my camper van

if anyone has a three battery system operating could you tell me what you are usin to charge the three batteries ad how efficient is it?

Would appreciate any help or advice as to how best to look at my proposal on running a three battery system

[Stinky Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Stinky]

Hi kgk47,
See my post overnight in the 120 series Electrical system. Just installed the dual battery and also have a 100 amp Deep Cycle in the Camper Trailer.
Whilst I haven't given it a run yet, I will have two options to charge the camper trailer which are:

1. Hook up 1 x portable 120 Solar panel directly to Camper via Anderson plug to charge camper battery (panels have in built regulator) or
2. Alternatively have put the dual battery Anderson plug in the rear of the Prado and have a 5 metre Anderson plug to Anderson plug extender cable to hook the dual battery to the camper battery for back up charge option.

I don't intend on using option 2 much as believe the solar panels will keep the camper battery topped up for 5-7 day of road camps and primary reason for Prado dual battery was running a 47 lt Evakool fridge for around town and travelling but with a back up source for camper if weather reduces solar output. Redarc system will top the dual battery up on the drive home no problem if option 2 is used during camping.

Hope that helps. Cheers Dave

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I have a 3 battery setup much like you want. Mine is about as simple as it gets, and honestly I think a lot of people over complicate dual battery setups.

Optima battery for the crank which is connected to the auxiliary via a Redarc SBI12, also have a booster diode to up the voltage input. The battery in the camper is charged via a direct hook-up with the crank battery through an Anderson plug, fused at each end.

I've been all round Australia with this setup and it works a treat. I have little or no draw on the trailer battery when not camping, if I was running a fridge in the trailer I would put a voltage isolator in the line somewhere to protect the crank battery from flattening.

Cheers Andrew

[zutta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zutta]

Im with AJ, Keep it simple

I have basically the same but towing a van with dual batteries and one battery in the prado.

I have an anderson plug at rear that is fused directly to main battery with no isolater (im a tight ass , i can pull plug out when i stop) Charge the van batts while driving and solar on van charges batts when not travelling.

IMO some sort of solar charging would be good for you camper while your stationary .