THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

Ok, has anybody seen such a thing? We all have 2 12 volts in the rack, for a total of 24, but does a similar sized 24 volt exist, in the amps we need? I'd like to have a single start battery and a house battery in the same stock location. (Space will be at a premium).

I'll be using a 12/24/110 fridge in the back, and 24 volt appliances are available in the UK, (coffee maker, toaster, if we even decide to use them).

This way, a simple marine rotating battery switch could let me choose start, house, both, or off.

How about this?

http://www.apexbattery.com/caterpillar- ... pment.html



I'm not sure on the CCA most of the 12v 600 each so is 750 enough?
But I'm sure you should be able to find others for tractors or excavators etc I think most other apps(big rigs RVs) would just use 2 batteries.

That says 12 volt in the product specs, but 24 in the title. Wonder which it really is. I'll call, thanks, they look like they could answer some of my questions.

I think you'll find using two batteries is best. I haven't seen an auto-practical 24v before. With two you are getting massive available reserve and other advantages. There are smaller 12v batteries that are used to save room or lighten loads for racing, etc. The prices are going to be steep though. Look into Optimas, Braille, XS Power or Odyssey for some options.

I've seen cars run on Odyssey batteries the size of tractor or motorcyle batteries and they had all the power of full size due to the AGM technology they use. I bet you could fit 3(2 for your 24v and one for 12v) in the space of 2 full size batteries. They aren't cheap though

And the smaller batteries won't give you the reserve power you might need; get into some cold weather at high altitudes (running rich) and foul the plugs, you can crank and crank and crank (and crank) with the stock batteries; you wont get away with that with smaller batteries.

Some aircraft batteries are 24V, but you think Pinz parts are expensive
Plus you can more evenly balance the charge on two 12V batteries by charging each independantly, can't do this with a 24V battery.

I belive that for me, the most optimal would be to have 2*24V with the same size as 2*12V, then I can load them both from the original generator, and separate them as one batt for the engine and the other for consumers such winch or 24->12 inverters.

Maybe a possibility to via a switch use them all for engine start.

If that is costing more or less that the 303 itself is totally another question.

Chris, that's exactly what I'm getting at. Still 2 batteries, still both in the same rack, but 1 is the starting battery, the other is for the camp accessories. Both are charged from the alternator.

The standard alternator on these is what, 65 amps? The guy I bought my truck from threw in for free a spare alternator from a Tgb radio truck. It's a 100 amp, so once I have it installed I'll be able to charge 2 24V batteries, no problem.

12 volt accessories suck, but 24 volt accessories are pretty good, (coffee maker, toaster, microwave, blender, etc., again If we even went with those items). I've talked to quite a few European truck drivers lately and they all are VERY happy with the performance and availability of 24 volt appliances on the European market. Now granted, they probably have way more power to play with than we would, but it would be great not to have to worry about converters and just make a quick pot of coffee and some toast to go with the ham and eggs.

A solar panel on the roof, and I think a good quality fridge like an Engel would be good for a week, easy.

Well, after a long discussion with a patient, friendly guy named Scott at:

http://www.sbsbattery.com/index.php

it seems there is no such animal. He's been in the business for 40 years and has never heard of such a thing. He did offer to build a couple custom batteries for me, but they'd be costly. His advice is to add two 12's to make another 24 bank, which will run a big Engel fridge longer and more efficiently than a single 12 volt.

Now I need suggestions about how to fit 4 batteries in the space designed for 2.

I have a 2nd set against the bulk head on the passenger side under the jump seat. But my layout may be different than yours as mine is a soft top.

You've got the tank killer, right? Eleven-eleven? Does it have a heater there like the 111C?

I think my heater was moved to under the rear 3 seats just extended the hoses and wiring.

Good idea, thanks! Know I know where to put the bidet!

http://www.aircraftsupply.com/rg24-9.html

But pricey for one, let alone two.