Cable from front to rear for Battery box

[Bigwill]

4ePajero points out:

Even if you have no voltage drop, your alternator is not the ideal source to charge Deep Cycle batteries properly.

I've heard this statement before and accept it as being correct, but I still do not understand why not.
My 2004 DID Pajero has a 125 amp alternator (the petrol only has a 110 amp) and continiously maintains 14.2 volt charging voltage according to my NL voltage monitor. It charges my second battery (a Deep Cycle) to above the 100% mark on the NL meter. That leaves it at a floating voltage of 12.6 volts. What more do I need?
The car came out with a parrallel dual battery setup all under the bonnet, but I changed one to a deep cycle battery and connectted it via NL solonoid. So voltage loss with the short cables should be next to zero. With 125 amp current on tap I also risk to drive a third battery in my caravan but can not really comment on the success of that as I keep my fridge inside the car on the second battery. The caravan voltage meter also registers above 14 volts during charging all three batteries simultaniously.
Do you think the 125 amp alternator is unique to the standard dual battery setup or are all DID's 125 amp alternators?

[4ePajero]

A vehicle alternator is designed to charge high cycle batteries.
It will charge a deep cycle battery, but experience has shown that deep cycle batteries charged by means of a alternator does not last as long as one charged with an intelligent charger.

Do a bit of research on Google search "smart charge"

From one of the results:

Battery technology has developed hugely over the past couple of years and, is continuing to do so. However, the consequence of these developments is that batteries need to be charged and maintained in a very specific way but, not all chargers are suitably adapted to do this.

A smart charger will revive, charge, condition and maintain all types of lead-acid batteries by determining accurate readings of a battery’s charge and ensuring the appropriate action is taken, thereby prolonging a battery’s life to the benefit of both the vehicle operator and the environment.

All smart chargers are intended for unsupervised use, being foolproof to connect, spark proof and reverse-polarity protected - allowing charging to be a safe and convenient task. Furthermore the exceptionally clean voltage and current provided by a smart charger means that they are completely safe to use when the battery is connected to the vehicle with no disturbance to sensitive electrical and hi-fi equipment.

A smart charger can be left attached to a battery for an indefinite amount of time without risk of either the charger or battery overheating making them the perfect product for use on cars that are used infrequently, driven on regular short journeys or left standing for long periods of time e.g. over the winter.

PS All Di-Ds have 125A alternators.

[4ePikanini]

In a nutshell. The deep cycle doesn't like to be charged at a fast rate (this is what the alternator does).

It damages the cells which is of a different construction to high cycle batteries.

[4ePajero]

Good, informative reading here.

It explains "Why CTek", but just read "smart charging" wherever you see "CTek".

And why should you own a CTEK battery charger?
Increased battery dependence

By looking after and maintaining your battery, while charging them, you prolong their service life and retain their performance.
Without really noticing it, we are living more and more in the midst of different types of battery. The type we probably think about least of all is the lead-acid battery present in vehicles and different types of machines that we use both privately and professionally. Some of these batteries will remain idle for long periods, while others are put under a lot of strain by the equipment installed in the vehicle and are used very frequently without the engine being turned on. This is naturally very taxing for any battery.
In the 1990s, batteries underwent a robust period of development, which introduced a new type of maintenance and care. CTEK developed an entirely new and unique system – 8-stage charging – for today's battery which is used throughout their product range.
This is particularly relevant for people owning seasonal vehicles, practising recreational activities, running professional vehicles, working in a workshop, working as vehicle/machine sellers, racing, working with service vehicles ...
Your expectations for your vehicle/machine

We have also come to rely on everything working properly to ensure we have the time to do everything we have planned. Therefore, our expectations and requirements on all the vehicles around us have increased. Correct battery care can avert many disappointments and problems, particularly when you least want to faced them. The right battery charger not only prolongs the service life of your battery, it ensures that the battery can provide the maximum performance for all of this time.
The motorbike you dust off in the spring, a successful and self-reliant caravan holiday, the truck driver who started early in the morning following a long and lonely TV evening and morning music, the car salesman who needs to start a car for a test run, the boat owner who plans to sail home after a long, wonderful afternoon with prepared food and music, the fridge to keep your drinks chilled... expectations.
It should be easy and safe

Now, it is not the case that we are all particularly interested or knowledgeable when it comes to charging batteries, even though we know it is important. It is then we really appreciate convenience, simplicity and safety. A CTEK battery charger is small, fully automatic and have smart accessories, making them convenient and simple. They are reverse-polarity and short-circuit proof as well as nonsparking, aiming for safety for any user, irrespective of the vehicle to be connected or the person doing it. The fact that they do not damage sensitive electronic equipment is yet another positive characteristic that makes them simple and practical. Being approved for outdoor use and being extremely durable makes them flexible, practical and correctly designed for safety. That they can then be left unattended for long periods makes them really simple and convenient, in addition to extremely practical.
Finally, a CTEK battery charger is suitable for all types of lead-acid batteries: Wet, MF, AGM and GEL.
A CTEK battery charger is not a “booster” or just any old battery charger

People often ask, why does it take so long to charge using CTEK compared to other makes? CTEK is not a “booster”. CTEK is a battery charger that looks after and maintains batteries with an entirely unique system that is friendly to batteries and electronics. You can even charge drained batteries. The reason it takes a little more time is just because it handles the battery in the right way.
People sometimes ask, why should you buy a CTEK battery charger instead of one that costs half as much and looks virtually the same (even the product description is the same)? But this is not the whole truth. CTEK products have a unique system (patented functions) not available in other legal battery chargers that can therefore not offer the same performance. As for “copy cats” or forgeries, it is guaranteed that they will not maintain standards. It is impossible to use the quality materials, hire qualified engineers that produce the right product composition, maintain an even and fine level of quality control while at the same time keeping the price down. a "copy cat" battery charger do not meet the standards and cannot guarantee to be nonsparking, reverse-polarity proof and electronics safe.
There is probably not a single battery charger that can match the price for the same performance and generous warranties while at the same time offering such professional customer service. This means that you save money and time as you always have a charged battery, your vehicle will always start and you will not need to buy a new battery for many years to come. You are sure to get the maximum service life from your battery.