A Basic Guide to Vehicle Dual Battery Systems

If you're going for a trip to the Australian outback, then you're probably taking quite a few gadgets and appliances with you to make your trip more convenient. However, all the different gadgets and appliances will need a source of power in order to work, so unless you're going to a camping site that offers plugs for power, you're going to need a leisure battery. The leisure battery will work together with your vehicle's battery to make sure your vehicle will always have start-up power and that your campsite will have consistent power.



That being said, vehicle dual battery systems are one of the most sought-after camping accessories, which has left the market saturated and full of different types of system, which can make picking the right one more complicated than it needs to be. When shopping for vehicle dual battery systems, you'll come across a couple of different types of batteries. The most popular ones are AGM and Gel batteries.

AGM batteries, also known as absorbent glass mat batteries, are completely leak-proof. This makes them safe to mount at any angle, and in any configuration. You can even place them inside the passenger's compartment if that's necessary. The lead plates that are in conventional lead-acid batteries are replaced with fiberglass mats that are sandwiched together in a completely sealed housing. These batteries have a slow discharge which makes them the ideal auxiliary batteries. Gel batteries are similar, except the liquid acid is replaced with gel acid, making them maintenance-free and spill-proof.

Most dual battery systems come with all the wiring required to make the system fully functional yourself, and there are systems that include a charger and even solar panels. The more advanced dual battery systems feature deep-cycle batteries, built-in MPPT chargers and isolators, as well as strong and sturdy designs that make them ideal for use in rugged environments.

The performance of the battery is highly affected by the temperature. The capacity of batteries is expressed in Ah (amps per hours), but the expressed number will only apply when the ambient temperature is 25°C. That being said, you want the battery to be in a place where the temperature is about 25°C. Further, as the battery gets older, its performance will drop, and you'll have to recharge it more often. Additionally, if you're plugging in numerous appliances to the battery, it will discharge faster. Always look for a dual battery system that comes with a warranty, so you can have peace of mind knowing you've bought yourself a product the manufacturer stands behind for 5, and sometimes even 10 years plus.