Dual Battery Setup with Detailed DIY Install

We show you what we consider the best dual battery system for powering an automotive fridge and accessories. And, we show you in detail how to install it! We also show you how we made and wired our outlet/gauge panel.
While researching second battery systems we learned about Redarc dc-dc chargers. It didn’t take long for us to decide a dc to dc charger was the direction we needed to go in. They make for a super efficient power source.
If you like this video please consider subscribing to our channel and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. There's plenty more where this one came from! If you think your friends would enjoy this video, feel free to share it on any social media.
/ wanderlostoverland
This video will explain in greater detail why you should choose a dc-dc charger;
• Video
overland-power.com/
Below are links to where we got everything else.
RedArc Charger: amzn.to/2Nkm0Iv
Here is where we got the ABS plastic we used for the charger base/battery hold-down; www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
The plastic sheet we used to make the outlet panel; www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
The switches we installed in our power panel; www.delcity.net/store/50-Amp-...
Anderson Plug; www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Dash mounted indicator light (at time of order ask them to put a green LED in it.); www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Rear Cargo Storage Panel;
www.orangeboxxfabrication.com/

[@n2cycles]

Great video. As a mechanic just a word to the wise. Remove jewelry before working on a car, especially around a battery. I've seen a man burn his finger to the bone with a wedding band.

[@celestehill3479]

Me too... He was working on an electric golf cart... It was horrible.

[@radius8283]

Yup seen that too. Buddy was working with his new watch on a telephone switch battery banks and we saw like a welding spark. Zapped!

[@khounmy45]

Unless ur watch rubber and have a ground connection lol

[@MTBryanH]

Yes, good advice. I did just that! Not a pretty sight!

[@oldbuddyben]

I've been that guy.. forgot I put my ring on and then touched to the battery post for a split second. 2nd degree burn and now I'm forever branded as a married man. I left the melted spot on the ring as a reminder.

[@johnpittelli6063]

Awesome job as always I’ve been considering a Redarc after meeting them at Overland East. You’ve solidified the decision for me. Keep up the great work.

[@uttbby]

You folks timing was perfect, I ordered a 4-Runner today and was in the process of researching how properly to install a second battery. Thanks for the information, and Yep, I subscribed.

[@scottc0510]

AWESOME system! This would be PERFECT for my 1991 Chevy Suburban bug-out vehicle build... :-) Great video... Thanks!

[@Immapsycho677]

Also glad to see a couple working together!!

[@RolandoNispiros]

Love this DIY video with your sense of humor. Wish I had your skills!

[@ianwilliamson3658]

Where can I find a parts list. This is one of the best explanations I have seen on an install.

[@zeebraeend]

Very nice and fun video. First I've seen from you. The setup looks good, especially the dc-dc converter being able to include solar. Will watch update videos on this. Thanks.

[@henrikm4657]

Great video. I’ve used the Redarc and Victron units for about 6 months in my camper trailer with an AGM battery and a solar panel. Great stuff!

[@WanderlostOverland]

We're extremely happy with how it's performing. Thanks for watching!

[@irwinjimenez]

Wow! By far, BY FAR the B E S T how-to/DIY video on a digital dual battery set-up. Thank you for the detailed explanations.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Irwin, and thanks for watching!

[@paulf9653]

Great Video as always guys!! Also I love the broadhead pointer. Nice touch.

[@jjjsmith2497]

Really like the job done on the ABS plastic on top of battery. Including it being a great idea.

[@albertarooftoptenters]

Nice set up. I am looking for something like it to add to our rig. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelt.lichtenfeld3218]

Thanks for the video as your knowledge and humor was very much appreciated.

[@ianwilds3139]

nice install..a section of brake line works great for running wires through the firewall.

[@yanglu8838]

I love the ways that you guys install the electrical box panel. Itsata complete hidden place and easy to access wit no additional drillig! I will have to look into it and perhaps have someone install it for me. Thanks!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Our pleasure!

[@joshtays8057]

Just wrapping up my own install myself. Thanks a lot for your help!

[@WanderlostOverland]

You're very welcome.Thanks for watching!

[@ozon8r]

I've been anxiously awaiting this video. I just picked up the C4 battery mount a few days ago (C4 is awesome) after looking at all the other very expensive 4runner options out there. Glad to see a more DIY solution and love the rear power panel. Would love to hear about what influenced the various decisions on each of the components (25amp vs 40 amp redarc, AGM battery choice, etc). Thank you again for another great production.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching!"25amp vs 40 amp redarc"- We were up in the air on this too. That's partially why we got help from OPS. They said the 40amp wouldn't be necessary for our application. "AGM battery choice"- Mostly cost. We could either buy a $400 or $200 battery. Both would perform and last about the same. $200 won out. :)

[@kerbopell]

Love the video! Thank you for citing all of the products you used. Been looking for a setup just like this!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Chris, and thanks for watching!

[@Niloc1922]

Amazing job! Looks awesome, almost stock!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks! and thanks for watching!

[@SHWELL11]

Great work guys.

[@eduvalentin3637]

You guys are the best!! Looking forward to meet you lost somewhere in the nation.

[@WanderlostOverland]

There's always a good chance of finding us lost. :)

[@SIC-SEMPER-TYRANNIS]

A simple Perko marine battery switch works great for cheap. It can be mounted in the cab for switch charging on the go.

[@TRERUNS]

Love this video. I learned so much. Thanks

[@chucksewell7318]

that was a great vid. i was going to do a dual battery redarc setup in my 4runner anyway. now i have a guideline video. thanks.

[@WanderlostOverland]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@jnastynatedogg6544]

This was an awesome video. I own a 4runner as well and was looking for ideas on doing this when I came across your video. So glad I did! Going to give it a shot. 🤞🏽

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching Jay! Let us know how it goes.

[@ricpla6930]

You guys are very underrated. Seriously great content and perfectly informative.

[@WanderlostOverland]

THANK YOU!!!

[@lmac3229]

Love it! Very clear explanation...now I need to find someone that might be able to help me! I want to add this system to my 2017 Suburban.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davkenrem]

Can you post a link where I can find a wife like that please?

[@borriq01]

Lmao

[@michaeloconnor8245]

LOL I was thinking the same thing in the beginning when she's working on the battery posts and he's just standing there narrating :38 LMAO!!! My ex wife wouldn't have even bothered to hold the camera, no less do the whole job with me! LOLOLOL

[@bigjimnycub9582]

Most street corners have them 👍

[@QuantumPlayz]

@@bigjimnycub9582 maybe if yer payin

[@rogerg0834]

@@gypsiewanderer24 lol

[@wilderness-training3312]

Great video Guys. Overland Power Solutions is awesome. They came out to our TREC (Tennessee Rover Enthusiasts Community) 10 year celebration in February 2020. David and Tommy both are great people. We're building our overland LR3 now and OPS is on the list. Thanks for making a video going into such detail.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Awesome, thanks for watching! If you have any questions at all, now or when you're installing, give us a shout. We'd be very happy to help. You can also contact us directly through FB and Insta.

[@user-mt5xf4fn3j]

Thanks 👋😎, keep up the good work 🛠️😎👍

[@mykalbee]

I'm so not there yet in my power needs but I like your setup and could see a similar setup in my future. Although I won't be doing said setup myself, cuz I just don't have the patience for all that, I still watched the video as if I would do it myself.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Overland Power Solutions specialize in custom installations. They're based out of Knoxville TN.Thanks for watching!

[@johnnumbat9782]

Thanks guys - a great help for installing my new system using Redarc, Engel and Amptron Lithium 100ah in prep for my trek into central Australia- I have a Toyota Hilux with lift on aluminium canopy - John in SA

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad it helped!

[@alvinhamby1779]

Love the pointer

[@ili626]

Thank you! Just what I was looking for and fun to watch.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad it was helpful!

[@justin555666]

Super informative guys! Thanks!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching Justin!

[@jefffarage2083]

You guys rock 17 min video explaining everything 👍👍👍. 2 days of video and 1 or 2 days for editing 😎 keep up the good work, it’s much appreciated. You guy really plan out the custom cut abs and control panels. 👌👌👌👌

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching Jeff! In total we put in at least 3 hours per minute of all our video. Up to 5 on our overlanding trip videos. That includes story-boarding, scripting, lighting, props, filming, photos, building graphics, then editing. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes.

[@dougrogillio2223]

Very informative. Thank you for putting the time in to publish this info.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gilbertjones6390]

You guys are awesome thx.

[@manofthecroc]

That was a great video overall! The only thing is that add a circuit thing I looked at Petco for one but they did not have any! ;)

[@jimmbrooks]

That's a common misconception, anywhere is the name of a RadioShack type store on the west coast.

[@burntman0331]

great video and awesome you and your wife can do this project together!

[@rjl110919581]

thank you for detail video

[@_intrepid]

That's a really cool video. Looking to do a system like this for my Wrangler. I don't want to go with the standard dual battery that people do and this solution seems perfect.

[@WanderlostOverland]

We've had it installed for well over a year now and are very glad we made the investment. It's truly a no hassle, no problems, it always works when we need it system.

[@randymoore2410]

I really enjoy your DYI videos, they are very informative, and funny. Question for you. Why do you not have a fuse or a circuit breaker on the starter battery cable to the secondary battery and from the secondary battery to the rear of the vehicle? It always seem like a good idea to fuse at the source.

[@ricki11cook]

Just a suggestion, as I recently did an almost identical setup, but with a lithium, BCDC1250D & 0AWG cables for the current draw. You should physically move your Victron current shunt up to your AUX battery, terminate all negatives to the load side & just the AUX batt neg to the “Battery Only” side of the shunt. Then it will actively monitor the charge going into the battery from the Redarc as well as the draw from it. Then you might actually see some positive current figures instead of constant -3.5A for e.g. It will also give you a true indication of battery terminal voltage & not post the loss of the 4AWG cable run to the rear of your vehicle. The shunt also has an “Aux” input, connect that to your starter battery & you can monitor the terminal voltage of that as well. Enables you to set audible alarms if it drops below a threshold. Victron also supplies a long (10m from memory) comms cable in the kit to go between the shunt & BMV-712.

[@WanderlostOverland]

After seeing your comment we reached out to Victron and it turns out you are correct. We do have it wired incorrectly. The way we show in the video is how the company who designed our system told us to wire the shunt. Thank you for pointing out the mistake in a kindly, respectful manner.

[@ricki11cook]

Wanderlost Overland No problem! Thanks for the reply. You have a great channel & I enjoy watching it! I’m genuinely amazed at some of the advice people are given from ‘professionals’ when it comes to 12v systems. If you’re interested, you can see my setup on Instagram @rickis.r51

[@shanekeilty8680]

@@ricki11cook Is the Shunt okay being exposed in the engine bay? Or would it be wise to weatherproof it somehow?

[@ricki11cook]

Shane Keilty it would be fine but if you can mount it inside a PVC enclosure then that would keep it dry.

[@joshtays8057]

Thanks Ricki! I'm doing my own install and finding this comment allowed me to get the shunt hooked up right (I think) from the get-go. YTM.

[@benjaminyoung3489]

You two are awesome.... Thank you for the help...!!!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thank you!

[@buckmasters85]

Very informative video 👍

[@OverlandPNW]

Very nice dual battery set up. You guys really do quality videos.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad you like them!

[@williamlloyd854]

Great video, you 2. I have watched many U tube videos. The 2 of U rock. Great job. Great job

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks!

[@se-outdoors]

Thank you for creating very informative video.

[@WanderlostOverland]

You're very welcome. Thank YOU for watching!

[@jaytarr815]

Looks like you all are big Batteries Plus Bulbs fans! I see the battery and the Nebo Larry light. Thank you for your business!

[@WanderlostOverland]

We need them as a sponsor! :)

[@De_forresto]

This was so helpful. I’m doing the same thing to my Tacoma. I just can’t decide which Redarc BCDC to go with

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrislee4946]

Great tutorial! Subscribed! I’ve got a 2017 tacoma

[@WanderlostOverland]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@AdamRoslan]

Easy to understand. Thanks!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad to hear that!

[@juliusjones972]

I am the one who likethe bieo here on the youtube and I like how you daid what the battery does and how it can do the things to make life easy in a car a van or a suv

[@georgesdesk]

Enjoyed watching, awesome video, and the puppies also played a great part in participating in the great install

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks George! Yes, the dogs do add an element to the video. They are always willing to make a cameo appearance.

[@autoglassmike]

Really nice installation

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Mike! p.s. Just a reminder: Our t-shirt fundraiser for TreadLightly ends October 19th. Make a donation and get a cool Wanderlost t-shirt! Here's the link to our fundraising site. It explains all the details: markmerri.wixsite.com/wanderlost-overland

[@Mannix007]

very helpful and well done, as usual! thanks.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danrey5964]

Great video. I keep watching this because I am about to setup a dual battery on my truck. I would like to match the size of each wire for my connections. What are the size/gage of each wire?

[@Dagreenberg68]

you two are Great! this was very cool. Thank you.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Shane-Singleton]

Found your channel when searching for some overland 12v setup tips. Laughed so hard at the channel intro I hit subscribe before even watching the video. Watched till the end, still subscribed. :) Going to have to check out the rest of the videos. I'd really like to put together an overland rig. At first I was thinking about doing so out of an old squarebody Suburban but think I may go with a newer suburban instead.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Welcome aboard!

[@australiasian]

these guys are so loveable. Enjoyed watching this vide, cheers!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks so much!

[@f.k.6151]

Great video as always. Thanks.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thank you for watching!!!

[@lukeconnell1501]

Wow this is making me question if I even need solar for my van. And having a set up where you can add a panel later sounds ideal. Running a fridge for twenty hours with only about one volt in drop is really impressive.

[@caspianfox6596]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a method to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot the login password. I would love any tips you can give me.

[@pablomaxim3172]

@Caspian Fox instablaster :)

[@caspianfox6596]

@Pablo Maxim Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@caspianfox6596]

@Pablo Maxim it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account!

[@pablomaxim3172]

@Caspian Fox No problem :D

[@aevigue]

Absolutely love you two

[@WanderlostOverland]

Alex Vigue Love you back - Thanks for watching!

[@alexmorales282]

Loved this video! you two are great

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks so much!!

[@ZCrayFamily]

Great install!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad you think so!

[@ZegothBane]

wow just came across your channel looking up lift kits for my 2010 4runner.. liked what you guys are about.. and subbed :) very informative, thank you..

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thank YOU for watching! We have a lot coming up in the near future too.

[@ZegothBane]

@@WanderlostOverland very clean and informative videos you guys have.. Will be watching for future content, cant wait to one day do a similar project to my 4runner 😁

[@Vinlyguyx420x]

What an amazingly detailed video

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad you liked it!

[@MichaelCook1981]

Cool install!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching!

[@anthonymarino4260]

Nice install

[@dennissecor8092]

Wow 14.8 volt agm battery? I have an agm battery, it charges to 14 .4 and works great, its a secondary battery in the back of my 01 chevy express conversion van, i only use it at night to sleep, to run a fan and i need to pay attention to what you are doing because i would like to get a small fridge, so i can keep milk cold for my morning coffee, thanks for the video, you are both great, im into the van life, so the van is my home and i go to the gym for showers:)

[@25gwolfable]

YOU 2 obviously have the perfect relationship

[@jamesfair9751]

Having plenty of money goes a very long way in making that possible. More marriages end from financial arguments than any other reason even Infidelity.

[@harrywest6624]

Janes Fair thanks for sharing your opinion.

[@jamesfair9751]

Harry West your welcome, but it’s more than an opinion it’s a statistical fact of life as sad as that may be.

[@johnmosesrealtor]

Awesome work!!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@johnnolte4455]

Very nice video with simple instructions and good material 🤘👍

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks John!

[@phattdaddy2974]

I like it, I need to fit this to my '07 LR3 V8.

[@jakeemattidore7601]

Awesome video, truly

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thank you!

[@thatradkid]

You guys are fun to watch it’s like my parents

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thank you.....I think. 😀

[@shaunshephard]

Always a great video, when can i send over my rig?

[@WanderlostOverland]

HaHa, We have a hard enough time keeping up with our own.

[@jeepbajaadventures4020]

Excelente video!

[@kingfish4488]

Hey love you guys great channel

[@domingodeanda233]

That was pretty damn good, thanks

[@waynek848]

Great video! I learned a lot!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad it was helpful!

[@albo5106]

You two are awesome. 👍

[@WanderlostOverland]

You are!

[@DualsPortvet]

Did you ever make a follow up to your battery set up? Pros cons? Thanks. And good video!

[@ljaysperspective1775]

Enjoyed the vid, the application is useful and very practical. Could u provide individual cost for the battery, charger etc. Thx a million you guys are awesome.

[@darthstrukt]

LJaysPerspective get the genesis dual battery, much easier and cleaner

[@1truefreedomfighter]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thank you!

[@sikandinc]

Great video guys. Your DIY installs are always inspiring. Which battery terminals did you guys decide to upgrade to? I’m looking to clean those up as well.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Unfortunately we've not gotten to the battery terminals yet.

[@shanebrbich5698]

Nice work guys! 👍🇦🇺

[@WanderlostOverland]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@crankyemoji2328]

What a wonderful video very practical for the camper would love to see part 2 which would be switching out your factory OEM alternator for a higher output alternator like used in the ambulance.Less of a chance of having your alternator burn out from over drawing of amps.Thus you can run anything on it with in reason. High output DC/AC inverters for many accessories including power tools😁 which Consumes a lot of amps.

[@crankyemoji2328]

With this extra power you can run a a microwave TV popcorn machine at your campsite

[@jpperez4716]

Awesome video and work. Just a few questions 1. Will you be retiring the bussman fuse/relay set up or will you route it to the 2nd battery? 2. Why use 40amp breaker on this set up instead of 80( i think thats what you have on the bussman)? 3. How do decide what is connected to the 2nd batter vs the main. Thanks again for sharing the k bbn knowledge.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching!#1, Nope, the Bussman relay/fuse panel will still be hooked to our starter battery since everything that goes through it are things we mostly use when the engine is running.#2, 40a is plenty for what we're running off the second battery. The busman one is a 100a I believe. WAY more then we need there. We should downsize it in the near future.#3, Like I said in #1; depends on when the accessory is running with the engine running or not. We wanted to really limit what's going through the second battery, so the charge lasts as long as possible.

[@jpperez4716]

@@WanderlostOverland thank you

[@yisu3447]

Hi, I really enjoy your videos and I was wondering if you could let me know how to install a second battery that is able to power a heater that is plugged into my car.

[@yisu3447]

I own a 2016 suburban. Would these parts work for my car? And if so, where can I buy them. Thank you.

[@isaacswan]

@9:06 You need to grind the paint off with a wire brush where you ground attaches. I saw someone spray it all with clear coat after it's bolted together to keep it from rusting.

[@nnperformance76]

What size amp charger did you pick? And why?

[@VIV_1271]

Excellent video- lots of great information and entertaining! I’m interested in getting a Dometic like yours and wondered how long it would run off your auxiliary battery before you had to recharge? I’m assuming that is a lead-acid battery. Thanks!

[@WanderlostOverland]

We haven't pushed it to its limit but, we've gotten 48 hours with our 75q fridge/freezer out of our deep cell batt. At the end it was down to around 60%.

[@BrodieTheDog101]

Question, Wouldn't it be better to put the breaker closer to the starter battery? From my understanding, one should always put fuses/circuit breakers as close as possible to the power source. Please correct me if i am wrong. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[@instagramoverlander5259]

Great video. I';ll go the full Monty - AC to DC, DC to AC, DC to DC, PV to DC, PV to AC. Heck I even want those lunar panels to charge my batteries at night. Anything to keep my mall crawler amped up!

[@Worldpeace-su3qk]

Great Information

[@caesardgreatest]

Take your ring off when working on any battery or power source!!

[@kristian8612]

As always, awesome video and super helpful content. You've created a ton of inspiration for many people. I'm in the process of doing a similar setup (though much simpler, i.e. no rear power panels, haha). There's one piece of your setup I'd like to better understand - why 40amp circuit breaker given charger's 25amp capacity? I totally agree it's a good idea to have a layer of protection between starter battery and charger, whether it be a circuit breaker or fuse block, and I'd like to do the same, I just don't what's an appropriate amount. I went with a 20 amp Ctek charger, so trying to decide if I should also go with 20 amp circuit breaker, or 30, or 40 (maybe 40 is too high)?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Honestly, I left details like that up to the folks that designed the system for us. Not sure why they chose that particular amperage.

[@photog1529]

Ctek recommends a 30 amp breaker at each bettery. Your minimum load breaker will depend on your loads.