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#Factory town setups full
With this approach, you can completely manage which battery is doing what job, and there’s also an advantage for when you don’t need the full strength of a dual-battery charging system.
#Factory town setups manual
Indeed, even if the second battery is entirely discharged, your primary battery remains unaffected.Ī “next-level” approach comes with four-way manual switching, which gives owners more control over the system. That way, your tools and toys aren’t using up electricity from the same battery you’ll need to start your vehicle with. When your truck’s running, you flip the switch that connects the second battery to the system, allowing it to be charged by the alternator.Īt your destination, you throw the switch the other way, disconnecting battery number two from the system and using it for power at the campsite. In the least complicated setup, the installation includes a fairly conventional on/off switch. Manual ManagementĪre you one of those people who likes to celebrate their self-reliance when venturing off the beaten track, where there’s no one to count on but yourself? If so, a manually switched dual-battery charging system is likely the right choice. That’s why many off-road enthusiasts prefer dual-battery setups that can temporarily take one of the batteries offline-or isolate it from a truck’s main electrical system. While a parallel circuit can, for instance, keep the lights on longer without the engine running, one battery after another will each eventually go flat if there is a constant energy drain. It’s certainly helpful, but it doesn’t really get to the core of the problem. Think of it as comparable to adding a larger gas tank. Two is Better than Oneĭual-battery setups typically use two different types of batteries: a starter battery and a deep-cycle battery.Īt its most basic, an automotive dual-battery system, with the batteries connected in a parallel circuit, essentially doubles the amount of electricity you have available. It’s an energy debt that can build quickly as your electrical use outstrips your ability to recharge the battery-especially if you’re also using electricity at the campsite. But keep in mind, thanks to those pesky laws of physics, it can take more than a few minutes of charging to make up for a few minutes of winching. You’re simply counting on the alternator to recharge it.
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These are usually connected to the battery, so even if you use one with the engine on, the battery is being drained. Consider the effect of a common off-road tool, like an electric winch. The thing is, the electrical demands of trail-friendly trucks and SUVs are hardly typical.
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Power demands, from fridges to winches, make dual-battery setups essential among adventurists. The alternator also recharges the battery typically, the battery itself only provides accessory power when the engine is off. The running engine then powers the alternator, which provides most of the electricity for your truck’s electrical accessories. Now, without going too deep into the details, the primary function of your truck’s battery is to power the starter-the mechanism that gets a cold engine spinning and the spark plugs sparking. To understand the benefits of that to determine the best battery for dual-battery setups, though, let’s start with what an automotive battery does. They involve wiring a second battery into your vehicle’s pre-existing electrical system. If you’re unfamiliar with dual-battery setups, they’re exactly what they sound like. It’s that double advantage- providing a backup for the primary battery and powering accessories-that makes dual-battery setups so popular. Then, there’s the fact that, for many overlanders, added battery power is needed in the first place-whether it’s for truck winches and campsite lighting, or for mini-fridges and media systems. You never know what unexpected accident can leave you with a drained battery-stuff happens when you’re out on the trail. Yet, it can be an outright disaster if you’re suddenly stranded deep in the woods.ĭon’t think it can’t happen to you-even if you never forget to turn your headlights off, or never leave a cabin light on. For example, a dead battery is already an inconvenience when you have to call someone for a quick jumpstart. The farther off road you get, the more important it becomes. Being prepared is a vital part of any successful off-road adventure.
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