How to Install REDARC BCDC Dual Battery Charging System
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- We're are all for DIY, but when we started having issues with the cheaper dual battery system we had to find something better, this led us to REDARC and Lion Energy. REDARC makes, what is in our opinion, the best dual battery charging system there is. It has charging modes specific to all batteries, though after extensive research... there's no reason not to go Lithium. That brings us to Lion Energy. The Safari UT 1300 LiFePO4 battery is more than double the capacity, roughly the same size, and is lighter than the Yellow Top AGM battery we took out of the truck. All of that, plus 10x the life cycles, this battery was an easy choice for us when designing the best dual battery system possible.
Purchase the complete kit here:
shoptrailbende...
![HOW TO Install REDARC BCDC 12v Dual Battery DC-DC Battery Charger BCDC1240D [Isuzu D-Max Build #11]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iVJXZMuMEIc/mqdefault.jpg)
![HOW TO Install REDARC BCDC 12v Dual Battery DC-DC Battery Charger BCDC1240D [Isuzu D-Max Build #11]](/img/tr.png)
Well done. Thank you for a simple straight forward video on how to set this up.
Happy to help! Glad you like it.
Thanks for the video, really good design. I think usually a wiring diagram is always helpful to show at the beginning how things a connected.
Excellent video. Very helpful for installing a similar system to my Australian Holden One Tonner camper
Why did you need the load disconnect? The BCDC does it automatically I’m pretty sure.
The BCDC is on the charging side, not the load side
Excellent Video with concise explanation. Great tutorial mate
Thank you! We put a lot into learning electrical to make these are spot on. I appreciate your feedback!
Good call - been looking at the REDARC system as well - great product!!!
I’m loving it! They make real quality gear. You won’t regret it.
You might want to wait until August 8th. They are unveiling an awesome system and we are currently installing it in the Gladiator. We’ll also have that new system in our shop. It’s worth the wait!
Trail Benders Overland - awesome - thanks for the heads up!!
would the wiring on the 4runner be the same on a GX470 08. very simple explanations i dig it. Thanks for the Info. im currently building also and Rookie status. going to DYI everything. i sub’d👍🏼
Why did you use that heat shrink/solder coupling first (which btw looked like you burnt the crap out of it) and then go and just solder the connection in the rear? Why change methods? And why do you use that huge mapp gas torch? Don't you have a small torch or heat gun?
I I good questions and observations. I used the heat shrink solder just to show one option of joining wires. I prefer the traditional couplers. We don’t have a small torch or heat gun so we use what we have. It’s my understanding the heat shrink/solder works better with a heat gun.
So I've been reading about the grounding locations. Did you guys happen to ask redarc about that? I'm curious if mounting to the body of my truck bed in the rear is sufficient for the ground?
Im having trouble with your link and cannot find the build on the website.
Hey, thanks for the install video! I am trying to understand something though... why did you chose to use the Smart Battery Isolator when the BCDC essentially does that function for you? I am not completely clear on that, but reading RedArc's manual for the BCDC makes it sound like the SBI isn't needed. Let me know your thoughts!
This SBI isn’t the standard battery isolator SBI for charging. It is the lithium load disconnect. If you look at where it is in the flow of energy, it is between the aux battery and all the auxiliary devices that it powers. This is completely separate from the charging side of the system. The BCDC can only charge the battery, it has no control over how much the auxiliary items draw from the battery. The SBI installed here will sense when the battery is draining too low and disconnect all the auxiliary items (fridge, lights, compressor, etc..) to prevent the battery from being over discharged.
@@TrailBendersOverland is the sbi necessary for lithium
@@paulystp It’s the SBI Load disconnect version. It is necessary to protect your auxiliary lithium battery from over discharged. The SBI in this case is not part of the actual charging system but rather is on the load side. It will disconnect all your auxiliary items from the battery before the battery is harmed.
@@TrailBendersOverland Thankyou for this detailed answer, I struggled to find much information on this part of my install.
@@TrailBendersOverland Wouldn't a battery with a good internal bms take care of this anyway, or are you doubling the protection with the SBI wired this way?
Can you explain the load disconnect a little more? I thought the red arc charger handled all of that. I'm wondering if I need that load disconnect as well. Newb here.
yeah same i dont under stand why its there unless its for another battery in a van or camper
The load disconnect is there to protect the starter battery in case you leave something on. It will disconnect all loads once the voltage drops too far. The Manager 30 does not do that.
@@TrailBendersOverland Oh. I thought the redarc bcdc charger did that. I have a smart alternator and not sure if that makes a difference but I just assumed that power would not be drawn from the starter battery and that was a lot of the purpose of the bcdc charger.
The redarc dcdc charger does that its a smart charger and it especially does that when you add the blue wire
Did you have any overheating of this charger at this position I such small place? Is it a 1240?
Never had any overheating at all
Wow! Very informative!
Hello. Thanks for the install video. I am considering a Redarc charger for me rear mounted lithium battery. Do you have to use the isolator even if the lithium battery has a BMS on board? Or should the question does the battery isolaror prevent the lithium (aux) battery from being drawn down too much? Thanks.
Thanks for watching! The isolator is to prevent the aux battery from being drawn down too much. If the on board BMS in your battery controls that on it's own then you don't "need" the isolator. Not knowing the internals of your battery, it's an extra step of protection that we strongly recommend.
Thanks for the answer. I appreciate it. I will go with the isolator just to make sure.
Thanks for the great video & very clear instructions. On the redarc vid they mention that the isolator can also be used to jump the starter battery using the auxiliary battery as the power source. Is there anything special you need to do to do that? Or do you simply use jumper cables between the two. THANK YOU!
You can wire the system to jump start your starter battery and/or to charger the starter battery with solar. This is a different wiring setup and requires extra relays and an additional SBI to make it happen.
Thanks for the video! I have scoured the internet for 8 awg heatshrink+solder butt connectors but haven’t had much luck (want the same for solar). Where did you find yours?
We got everything on Amazon. Check out the kit we sell. We list all the Amazon links in the product description for the things like heat shrink and solder, and other things we don’t currently source ourselves.
shoptrailbendersoverland.com/collections/off-grid-power-solutions/products/off-grid-dual-battery-and-charging-system-kit-40-amp
How has your stock Alternator held up to the 40 amp draw from the bcdc? I’m trying to decide if I need a shut off switch to not always have it running.
So far it's held up great. Ultimately when this one goes bad I'll put a larger one in but so far, so good.
So, the BUS BARS would be the same as like an SPOD❓ WOULD YOU KNOW IF THE 1240 REDARC will need that isolator ❓
GSD Schutzhund the bus bar is like an spod without the switches. If you plan on install individual switches then a bus bar is good. If you’re looking for a switch system then something like an spod or switch pros would be a good idea. The isolator we used isn’t for the 1250, it’s for the battery. If you are using a lithium auxiliary battery then you will need the load disconnect battery.
@@TrailBendersOverland ...thank you. I wish I would've found you earlier 😕
Can we use 60 amp breakers instead of fuses? I have a ram 1500 I need to get ready for Colombia so any input helps!
Willy Risco You can use breakers but engineers from RedArc recommend fuses. Fuses are safer because they interrupt the flow of energy quicker than a breaker. You’re less likely to hurt your auxiliary gear in a surge.
Trail Benders Overland awesome thank you for getting back to me and we love your channel!
Aw shucks. Thank you! Always happy to help!
This is the first time I see the SBI12 mounted upside down.
Nitro Racing There’s a first for everything! It’s working great there too.
@@TrailBendersOverland I did read on their website that it is not recommended to install it upside down. Not sure why or if it matters.
@@charlesbarrack3223 interesting. I’ll have to double check with them. It’s been work g great for me and we worked 1 on 1 with the head engineer at RedArc to make this system for my 4Runner.
@@TrailBendersOverland Let me know what you find out. Thanks again for all your consults. My system is working great so far also. You were a big help.
Nice setup. Will the DC-DC charger use solar energy to charge the engine's starter battery too once the Lion Energy aux. battery is full?
Oh goodness, sorry I missed your comment I try to be on top of them same day. By default the BCDC will not charge your starter batter. There is however a way to do it using relays. I'll put the link under this comment. The easiest way would be to hook jumper cables up to the two batteries and let them balance out and charge together. But the special wiring would be pretty trick too. Here's the link:
cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2204/8993/files/bcdc1240_12v_solar_and_jump_start_setup_01b137f1-4790-4031-8f32-f5c655a2d799.pdf?17181802029519916597
@@TrailBendersOverland I suppose the jumper cable solution does not prevent the starter battery to drain down with the auxiliary while camping (during the night). Thanks for the diagram!
explain what the out cable from the load disconnect to the bus bar or fuse box purpose is?
The cable from the load disconnect to the bus bar is the positive lead that powers any auxiliary items that you might connect to the bus bar or fuse box.
@@TrailBendersOverland
So if I had a + & - bus bar configuration similar to yours, that + bus is powered by the Aux. battery via load disconnect. If accessories are ran by SPod or VoSwitch; should be able to run the spod or other unit there for power?
Correct! You can 100% power a switching through a + bus bar. If you’re looking for a switching system though check out the RedArc RedVision. We have a video on that too. It’s a fully integrated smart aux power and switching system. It’s amazing. ua-cam.com/video/1HfSQ8oTkK0/v-deo.html
@@TrailBendersOverland
Ive seen that system & your video. Both are top notch! Thanks for answering & the aid.
Anytime! Always happy to help.
Does the Lion battery not have a built in BMS? At that price point it most certainly should.
I asked them and they said it does but it’s still safer to use a dedicated shutoff
That said, we wanted to make a video that anyone could follow with any battery.
hello mate , you have already BCDC , why you still have Load and Disconnect what for.. thanks.
The BCDC is the the charger/isolator between the two batteries. The load disconnect is between the aux battery and all the aux loads. It prevents the aux battery from being damaged by over discharge.
There are a couple version of the SBI (Smart Battery Isolator). Most people understand it as a battery isolator. So naturally if you get a BCDC it replaces the SBI. But they also have a load disconnect version that isolates the aux battery from the aux loads. This is something the BCDC no control over, it can only charge the aux battery, not control when my winch, lightbar, or fridge is about to over drain my aux battery to a damaging point.
@@TrailBendersOverland many thanks for the info , i learn more from your video more power mate.
@@australiaaustralia1947 Happy to help! Always feel free to reach out with any questions
I was under the impression that the 4th gen does have a smart alternator. Redarc site suggests the same
Where did you see that on their website? I was having a hard time confirming but I don’t see the sensor on my battery that RedArc shows in a diagram to confirm if you have a smart alternator.
@@TrailBendersOverland it was the main reason for going with a bcdc system redarcelectronics.com//pages/dual-battery-selector the 4Runner isn't listed, but everything with similar year range for Toyota has a smart alt. That info also matches what Torque and cheap gauges show as I'm driving.
I went to that page and it seems most of the vehicle in the similar model year are temperature compensating alternators rather than smart alternators. I have noticed mine charges high then drops. But nothing like a smart alternator. I’ll need to confirm with RedArc if “temp comp alts” require that ignition cable be connected. I’ll get back to you.
All that said, my system has been charging beautifully for the last month. Charges up quick and consistent.
@@TrailBendersOverland ah, yes, good point. Let me know what you discover.
@@the_nothing 4th gens are not smart alternators
so can i leave my solar panal plugged in permenatly?
yes
You are very good.
Thank you!
Just to let everyone know it’s called soldering not sawdering.
Haha. okay okay. This is a common category of topic here at the shop. One of us challenges a word, pronunciation, or grammar of some kind, then one of us looks it up. I was about to comment saying that we'll work on how we say solder, but then decided to look it up lol. This is what I found.
dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/solder
Looks like the "friends" hand is directly below the hot solder. Big no-no!
I thought the DC - DC Box had it's own load distribution and cut-out built into it , why the double up ,( $130.00 ) more or less . We are all trying to save a little bit of money these days .
Cut-out built into the BCDC is only for charging, it doesn’t affect the auxiliary battery’s connection to the auxiliary items. The BCDC can’t prevent the auxiliary battery from being over-discharged, unless it’s charging with alternator or solar of course.
The load disconnect goes between the battery and the bus bar where are the auxiliary loads connect. If you want to protect the battery from over-discharge then the load disconnect is necessary.
I think its overkill to go with a 40a vs the 25a Redarc. The 25a is good for 200ah battery. Some reports online say its not good to use a 40a charger for such a small battery. 40a is used for 200ah + batteries.
For most setups I would agree with you. That's a great rule of thumb for the charger/capacity ratio. That is why we went with Lion Energy. Their batteries are rated for 100A of charge input so it has no problem accepting a charge of less than have it's max. Big difference from other Lithium and AGM batteries. This system will be heavily used for content creation and will be also charging the Lion Energy Safari ME when we get them so It will be greatly beneficial to have the charge power when the ME comes, and in no way damaging until then. Also, it will charge the UT1300 it under 3 hours of driving which is huge for us. If you were using any other brand of battery I would not recommend the 40A for a single battery setup like this.
This was also a setup that the engineers from both REDARC and Lion Energy helped us design. They recommended the gear based on how we plan to use it.
Great video, but trim and clean up that wiring
Sean Hannon Thanks. I know it’s not perfect right now. I have plans to build a proper rear storage system and electrical box complete with a relay box. Basically all of my wiring will be getting redone. Stay tuned for updates!
👍🏻
SO GETTO
Some of those joints are just plan nasty🤦♂️
I’m sorry
get a bloody heat gun mate :D
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