[Randwulf]

Yeah, I'm looking at his as well.

We actually have a fridge that plugs into the 12V outlet in the back. She wants the inverter for other stuff.

 

[bob280zx]

"(9/16” ID, 15/16” OD; p/n Gates 85965F—difficult to find"

Difficult to find an understatement!

Where did you finally find it? Even the local Gates guy doesn't have it and says he can't get it. Nobody around here has 9/16. Looks like a stretched 1/2" is in the cards

Great piece of work btw

 

[nismomobber]

When I did my PSFR relocation I was able to use some general purpose 350psi 5/8" inside diameter hose from NAPA. It actually fit tighter then te stock hose and from what I can tell it's is rated higher the the stock one as well. The stock one is rubber only with no braid inside. This one has the braid. Just remember that the 3/8 hide must be actual PS hose as the supply line needs to hold much higher pressure. So far so good there are no leaks as far as I can tell. Seems to be holding solid.

I know you have already seen this bob. Just thought I should share my findings.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[GeoXplorer]

Bob280X, sorry, I've been off the forum for a few weeks. I found the Gates hose at a local independent auto parts store. They helped me find the right size. All the chain stores just looked at me funny and said I was out of luck. I can't be sure the number I listed is correct, though. That is what was on the invoice from the store, so they may have altered the p/n. If you talk to Gates again you might just ask about a hose with the proper dimensions and see what they say. Or, it looks like nismomobber has found a suitable replacement at a Napa store. That's good news! Nismomobber did the install on his Frontier, and it looks great. He added another post to chrishaynesusa's dual battery install thread (here: http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=37617&page=2). His comment about the high pressures in the supply line is definitely important.

After a year of use, including some serious rough off road use, the install is doing great with no sign of leaks or problems with the power steering fluid. Phew!

 

[Julionix]

Good question. I debated about whether to say in the write up, but couldn't decide what to put. So many of the steps took research, and then add in the 400 trips to the hardware/autoparts/marine store (in my wife's car since mine was conveniently missing a battery), it's really hard to say. It also depends on what version of the build you want to do.

My guess is that if you had all the parts and tools ready and just wanted to do a simple install, you might finish in a weekend. Or if you are someone who lives by the mantra "measure once, then wing it" you might get it done in one weekend. On the other hand, I could see this easily moving into the full two weekends realm. This build took me at least 2 months of weekends, but that also counts installing the multimeter in the cab and making some other wiring adjustments at the same time.

Nice write-up!

For someone with basic knowledge like myself, I'd be looking at more like 3months worth of weekends :-/
I'm really considering this mod though. I did read Chrishanes' thread and sent an email to Kodiak.
Well see how the cookie crumbles
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[brijn]

After killing my battery a while ago, this is also on my list. Once I secure some funds I will probably order:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fey-47-3800

Westin T-Max dual battery unit. Seems to be very similar to the more expensive once.

I will try to use a Odyssey PC680 (http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680series.htm). This is a pretty small batt that I would have as starting battery. My existing PC1500 would have all other stuff connected(including winch etc).

I think the small size of the PC680 will allow for a much easier mod. I'll report back once I get going

Bas

 

[GeoXplorer]

Hey guys, amazing to see this old thread revisited. Chris's install is more professional looking (since a professional did it :iconbiggrin and works great (of course he took detailed pictures of this set up to his shop for inspiration :iconbiggrin. My install is still overkill for most. If I didn't need a spot for my solenoid for the warn quick connectors, I would recommend moving the power steering fluid reservoir to where Chris did. That's a better spot. The main issue for doing a dual battery build is where to move the reservoir. And use heavy gauge wire with quality connectors. You don't need the monitoring stuff with the shunts and all that. And, I wouldn't worry too much about which battery isolator/solenoid/relay you use to separate the batteries.

I'm still considering trying something a little different for the path to the aux battery (like is shown in the one diagram). I still don't think it gets enough charge with the voltage monitor where it is. But, the system hasn't had any issues at all since the last day of installation. And I can still pull a cold beer out of the fridge at the end of the day without worry! Good luck!

 

[wnchstrtnfldvlle2]

Thread from the dead!! woo woo.

1. What did you do to delete the fuses that came attached to the original positive terminal of the battery? I went back and reread, but I didn't understand it all.

2. When you relocated the power steering resevoir you gave the part numbers for the new hoses, but i'm unsure of where you actually got them. Is the Gates an actual company, or were they just from a random store?

Thanks.

 

[Rogue]

Jeez that's a lot of work. I'm just going to run a single 1200cca X2 power battery. It's $250 but requires no modifications to install.

 

[Surf and Snow]

Thread from the dead!! woo woo.

1. What did you do to delete the fuses that came attached to the original positive terminal of the battery? I went back and reread, but I didn't understand it all.

2. When you relocated the power steering resevoir you gave the part numbers for the new hoses, but i'm unsure of where you actually got them. Is the Gates an actual company, or were they just from a random store?

Thanks.

1. The fusible link block is still there. You can see it just in front of the PS resivour.

2. When I relocated my PS resivour to put dual batteries in my X, I just used some bulk 3/8" Tranny cooler hose and bulk hi-temp oil hose from NAPA. Bought 3' of each and cut it to the length I needed. Easy.

 

[GeoXplorer]

Thanks (again!) Surf. I agree with both of those answers. (see pics 28, 35, and 36)

Indeed, the thread from the dead, but I'm glad you brought it back, wnchstrtnfldvlle2. I needed to update the thread. Back in November when I finally replaced my batteries, I indeed took the time to rewire the ground and variable voltage sensor location. The set up is now like the first diagram that Monster posted on his June 26, 2010 post. It required changing out a couple lugs and moving the coil over. But, so far, the charging of the second battery is much better and consistent with what I expected it to always be. Because I have the volt/amp meter in the cab I can watch how it performs and it always follows what I think it should do now.

Good luck wnchstrtnfldvlle2.

 

[GeoXplorer]

Oh, I forgot to mention that Kodiak now sells a kit for the Xterra:

http://www.kodiakinc.com/powersystems/dualbatterykits.html

I haven't done a search on this forum for anyone who has actually used that kit, but it's available if you don't want to do the home grown version I did. It's probably much simpler and comes with most of the parts you need.

 

[skibum315]

Oh, I forgot to mention that Kodiak now sells a kit for the Xterra:

http://www.kodiakinc.com/powersystems/dualbatterykits.html

I haven't done a search on this forum for anyone who has actually used that kit, but it's available if you don't want to do the home grown version I did. It's probably much simpler and comes with most of the parts you need.

Ask Surf & Snow what he thinks about that kit ... I'm going to go get my popcorn.

:happy1:

 

[Surf and Snow]

Oh, I forgot to mention that Kodiak now sells a kit for the Xterra:

KODIAK INDUSTRIES INC.

I haven't done a search on this forum for anyone who has actually used that kit, but it's available if you don't want to do the home grown version I did. It's probably much simpler and comes with most of the parts you need.

Ask Surf & Snow what he thinks about that kit ... I'm going to go get my popcorn.

:happy1:

Cliff notes: I bought it. Do not buy it. Waste of money. Most of it didn't fit / wrong parts / missing parts / nothing for the PS res relocation / mount for a jeep that doesnt fit an Xterra and was never truly designed to. Total nightmare. Basically thew a bunch of it away, bought the right cables, and still had to fabricate my own damn mounting setup.

Follow-up 9/10/17:
As a follow-up, the kit below is the way to go for your electrical. Easy to wire up, ready to go control with 3 options at the flip of a switch from the drivers seat:

1. Link full time
2. Isolate full time
3. Link automatically when key on, Isolate automatically when key off

Dual Battery Kit by Painless Wiring

 

[rob103180]

Subscribed!

 

[VMBiohazard]

Saw parts of this from your build page. Great write-up! I'll be following this when I do mine here soon. Thanks!

 

[ath211]

Looks like a bunch of Dual battery threads have popped up most recently. Nothing this detailed however so thanks for the pictures and the write up. Definitely a clean install, well done sir!

 

[NoahSki]

Looks like a bunch of Dual battery threads have popped up most recently. Nothing this detailed however so thanks for the pictures and the write up. Definitely a clean install, well done sir!

They've been around for a while, they're being bumped because VMBiohazard is researching other builds for his future setup. Which is good because I haven't looked at many of them in a while.

 

[trikebubble]

So for some clarification from you guys who now have the dual battery system's installed for awhile. Has anyone had issues arise from using a general purpose style of high temp return line hose in a 9/16" id?

I am working preparing for this dual battery modification. i have two Deka Intimidators, and the T-Max dual battery kit. I've been under the hood and have a pretty good idea of what to do, but I think the return hose for the power steering reservoir is one of the last pieces I need to source.

cheers.

 

[Surf and Snow]

So for some clarification from you guys who now have the dual battery system's installed for awhile. Has anyone had issues arise from using a general purpose style of high temp return line hose in a 9/16" id?

I am working preparing for this dual battery modification. i have two Deka Intimidators, and the T-Max dual battery kit. I've been under the hood and have a pretty good idea of what to do, but I think the return hose for the power steering reservoir is one of the last pieces I need to source.

cheers.

No problems here after many years and many miles. When relocating my PS resivour I used ATF hose for the smaller hose, and the red hi-temp hydraulic hose from NAPA. Both were bulk by-the-foot.