Equipment Tests > Battery Systems

Basically there are two types of dual battery systems; one uses the parallel charging arrangement where the alternator is charging both batteries at the same time. The other is independent charging where the main or primary battery is totally isolated from the vehicle's alternator and other electric's once the engine is running. This then means that the entire output of the alternator is going into the auxiliary battery, which means it reaches full charge a lot faster. This means that you can then use it again a lot sooner.

You can expect to spend $600 to a bit over $1,000 on a good dual battery system, so an itemised quote from an installer is a good idea. This should include the sort of battery you are getting, where it will be fitted, the sort of battery tray to be supplied, and any modifications needed, the sort of isolator used, along with a separate amount for labour. That way both you and the installer will know exactly where you stand.

ARB
03 9761 6622, www.arb.com.au

Opposite Lock
1800 624 444, www.oppositelock.com

Piranha
03 9762 1200.

Rotronics
1800 644 620.

TJM

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07 3865 9999, www.tjmproducts.com.au


Which Battery?
The choice of a battery for your auxiliary should also be made with care and should be the biggest you can get to fit the space you have available. Unless you intend using the battery in a situation where it will constantly become fully discharged you don't need to go for a Deep-Cycle unit. Just get a good quality one that will handle the sort of pounding that goes on in bush travel. The minimum battery for this job is a composite type such as the Century Yuasa MP600. The MP600 has 15 plates and is an 80 amp/hour unit. Just make sure you don't go cheap here - the battery is there to give you peace of mind, don't let that be just an illusion. A battery like the Century Yuasa MP600 has a CCA (or cold cranking amp) capacity of 650, and is about the right size for a 4.2-litre diesel on a cold morning. Basically there are three different types of batteries; the standard car battery, truck or tractor batteries, and deep cycle batteries. The other brand to consider for this work is Exide. Between the two brands they have about 90 percent of the Australian market.

Car batteries are what you get as standard, and are OK for light work such as starting the car and a few light jobs like short term running of a fridge or even the occasional winch job. They are cheaper than the heavier duty battery, but they don't handle a heavy workload well. A truck and tractor battery is probably the best way to go. It's got a high CCA capacity; the plates are reinforced and there are more of them, and it will handle your winching requirements. The one to look for here is something like the Century Yuasa Overlander. This one has 17 plates and CCA capacity of 700.

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