Dual Battery
-
YomommaYo
Post
Dual Battery
Hi All, I have a 1997 Gen2 Pajero 3.0 V6. I already have a second battery installed that charges from the alternator. I want to install a 3rd battery to support the fridge. Would the alternator be able to handle all three batteries? Has anyone done this? Please guys, any comments or suggestions are welcome.
-
SimonB
- Site Admin
- Country: United Kingdom
- Vehicle: 2017 Nissan X-Trail
- Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Post
Re: Dual Battery
It might help to know what the second battery is used for before we can make comment on the 3rd. I don't think the alternator is up to cranking and 2 other heavy duty applications, but lets see...
Simon Bloomer
-
CATS
- Contact:
- Vehicle: 2001(Gen3) Pajero 3.2 Did, 2008(Gen4) Pajero Did
- Location: Centurion
Post
Re: Dual Battery
I have 3 batteries in my 3.2Did and also a fourth one in the Xplorer. The alternator on the 3.2 Diesel is a bit bigger than the one in the petrol, I think, but even so, when all batteries all depleted the alternator alone struggles to get them back to full.
Maybe rather investigate solar power which is what I also have. This is the solution in the long run in my opinion.
CATS
Maybe rather investigate solar power which is what I also have. This is the solution in the long run in my opinion.
CATS
2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
-
Bigwill
- Vehicle: 2004 Pajero 3.2 DID SWB
- Location: Gauteng
Post
Re: Dual Battery
I have the standard battery plus a 105Ah battery under the bonnet of my 3.2 DID. The 105Ah drives a National Luna fridge and this battery is charged via a National Luna split charging system. This system delays charging to the alternate battery for 5 minutes after startup, at which time the main battery almost completely regained its charge after having cranked the engine for the startup. So this works very well. Then in addition I tow a Echo Chobe which also has a 70Ah battery, but this one only drives the water pumping to the tap and a few light points. So it hardly ever runs flat. I have deliberately installed my fridge inside the car and not in the Chobe, so that I can use every opportunity to recharge the fridge battery when driving the car solo when I leave the camp for say sight seeing or game viewing. The full combination of 3 batteries works well and I have done at least 3 bundu trips with no 220 volt charger usage.
Ps. My car in 2004 was from one of only two shipments that came standard with 2 batteries. So the alternator is certainly fit for two batteries and I am sure that there is ample spare capacity for a light charge to a third battery. (In may case I upgraded the standard second battery to a large deep cycle one and installed the split charging system.)
Ps. My car in 2004 was from one of only two shipments that came standard with 2 batteries. So the alternator is certainly fit for two batteries and I am sure that there is ample spare capacity for a light charge to a third battery. (In may case I upgraded the standard second battery to a large deep cycle one and installed the split charging system.)
Willie from Jo'burg
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID
White Gen 3 SWB Pajero 3.2 DID
-
YomommaYo
Post
Re: Dual Battery
Thank you all for your advise. My second battery is a 105 ah battery that drives my Fridge (a 80l waeco fridge freezer). I have found that my battery run very flat after 12 to 16 hours of no driving, so I was thinking of adding a battery for extra help. It seems that the best battery to add is a 70ah deep cycle.