Ranger Mods

Hi Stewart,
I'm picking up a brand new MY19 Ranger XLT this week. I have requested Ford disable the smart charge system (as I had this done in my previous Everest), and their response to me was 'we don't need to switch that off any more on the new Ranger's to use dual battery systems'.

This doesn't seem completely correct to me - are you (or anyone else) aware of changes to the battery management system in the new MY19 Rangers meaning that dual battery mode doesn't need to be enabled/smart charge disabled to get full output from alternator?

I intend on running 2 x anderson plugs to the rear (1 x for dual battery setup in tub in the future, and 1 x to tow hitch for caravan power while driving).

Thanks
Brendan

Test the voltage output while running,

Are you considering using a DC DC charger or VSR/direct charge?

Going to my deaker this Friday in Adelaide to change the battery management system to dual battery mode. They said it can be done and wont take more than 20mins. The dealer here said it cant be done. Just wished that all dealerships were all on the same level when it came to these things.

Dealer has 'backflipped' and now emailed me to confirm they will set it up for dual battery mode... whether that is a 'we will actually do it' or a 'we will tell him we will do it and just do nothing' remains to be seen - will put a meter over it once I get it home Thursday.

Haven't locked in the dual battery setup I will go with yet - so DC-DC or VSR decision is still up in the air.

Everest1982 wrote:Dealer has 'backflipped' and now emailed me to confirm they will set it up for dual battery mode... whether that is a 'we will actually do it' or a 'we will tell him we will do it and just do nothing' remains to be seen - will put a meter over it once I get it home Thursday.

Haven't locked in the dual battery setup I will go with yet - so DC-DC or VSR decision is still up in the air.

Don't forget that VSR's drop out at 12.6-12.7V.

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Get a decent DC-DC charger would be my advice. If you get something like a Redarc BCDC1240LV it will work even without dual battery mode enabled. That one also has an inbuilt MPPT solar controller so you can run a solar panel up top and never have to worry about warm beer.

The advantage of a Redarc DC-DC is that the Auxilliary battery will charge to 100% whereas a VSR will not charge to that capacity. I have a BCDC1240LV fitted to my PX2 charging 5x 100ah batteries, no problem. The main thing is use 8B&S twin cable or 6B&S twin to reduce voltage drop.(Retired Auto Elec)

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I have seen 2 PX1 Rangers with VSR and both are charging to 100%. They are both using Traxide SC80 units and the youngest battery is over 4yrs old. It maybe because they are only charging 1 battery, I dont know but a very simple setup and not many accessories besides a fridge running of them.

kfa1950 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 18, 2019 6:24 pmI have a BCDC1240LV fitted to my PX2 charging 5x 100ah batteries, no problem. The main thing is use 8B&S twin cable or 6B&S twin to reduce voltage drop.(Retired Auto Elec)

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Awesome!!! Any particular reason for having 500Ah on board? Fridge would last a while!!!

2 in the Ranger for portable fridge, 3 in caravan. Do a lot of free camping in the back blocks. Got to keep the beer cold.[emoji481][emoji482]

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Each to their own but with VSR and 120amp AGM I still get 4 to 5 days from the fridge and will depend on what your budget looks like.

Bonus I have in a WORST case scenario is I can start the vehicle from my AGM.

I find this meter handy.
If you charge a battery with a charger it will tell you how many amps etc you are putting in.
But the main reason I have it is to plug it into the Thumper box battery then the Waeco is plugged into the meter.
It then tells me how many amps the Waeco is drawing and the approximate runtime left in the battery.
On a recent trip I made an Anderson plug double adaptor and ran 2x65lt Waecos off the one battery, one as a freezer and the other as a fridge.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150A-Watt-M ... ect=mobile