12V AUX Battery on 24V system, a simple (cheap) way?

[3VILC]

Just thinking of ideas here..so if someone can point me to a post already covering this or some other information, feel free.
Replacing the batteries in the safari soon, so this will leave me with 1 dead and 1 refreshable battery too big to fit a car. So i was thinking about using it to run 12v accessories. Could one, in theory, use a 12v (13.8v) reducer (already have a 15A max one I could use), and a solar panel charge regulator (supporting wet cell batteries) to charge it while driving? Needing some sort of diode to stop reverse charging and some sort of current limiting (have seen a light bulb used on one site but has to be something more practical to use)

Thanks for any ideas or input guys
Clive

[pagar]

Hi, I have been where you are now myself, the solution you use will largly depend on how much you can afford. I did a bit of reasearch and found easiest solution was a deep cycle (gel cell) battery mounted behind seats running all my 12v stuff on relays. ( switched by ignition switch still) and the battery topped up by way of a 13.8v 30a rated charge equalizer from redarc. when figuring out your needs look at the current draw from your accessories as a starting point so you know how much power you really need. if you use your old starting battery there are two things you need to consider, 1, your battery will probably not last too long as it is designed for large short loads ( starting) not long continuois loads like stereo, vhf lights fridges etc. 2, you may not want to have a lead acid battery in the cab with you should you ever roll etc as they will likely leak, even the newer calcium coated tipe are not sealed and designed to remain upright. for your new batteries I would recomend h/ duty marine starting batteries as they are made a bit tougher and are designed to take a bit more of a pounding. if you do not have a lot of 12v gear you may wish to consider running your gear from one battery in engine bay and a large charge equalizer accross the batteries.to maintain equal charge and save your batteries. hope this helps Steve

[Fakey]

Im running my 12v 350 chev off a 24v landcruiser system. Im using just two red top optima batteries. with one running the 12v system.
I got a 30a charge eqauliser today to top up the one running the 12v system, not cheap at $400 trade price but should be well worth it once I get it all up an running.
There are two different charge equalisers you can get, one is a 12v one (which I have) that charges a 12v battery IN a 24v system,
And another 13.8v one that charges a Seperate 12v battery from the 24v system

[3VILC]

Thanks guys, was just really throwing some ideas around as a solar regulator would mean you would have to do a fair amount of driving to keep the extra battery topped up.

[sibainmud]

IMHO, fit an auxiliary 12volt alternator and make it a totally separate system. Depends on how much you do your self, but it would work out cheaper than any "black box of tricks" and far simpler
Cheers,