RanOx DC-DC(non 240v) 3 stg charger: **Install pics added**

[Crammy]

Well I finally got around to installing my RanOx charger! I spent a few night tinkering in the shed to come up what I think should do the trick and keep me happy for a while!!

It's a pretty serious install, not tooooo complicated just quite a bit of wiring.

I ended up running 35mm2 +12v to the rear to power all the gear. What I'm running at the moment is:

1 x 600w inverter
1 x 20A standard socket
1 x Hello socket for the Waeco
1 x Absorbed power AGM
1 x RanOx battery booster
2 x 100A fuse blocks (1 for aux battery other for cranking battery)
2 x Change over relays

Of course all of the above won't be running at the same time so hopefully my cable sizing should keep the RanOx running efficiently.

Rear Install location.


RanOx installed on rear compartment door.


Anderson Plugs, 1 for the Aux battery and 1 for the inverter.


RanOx sitting idle monitoring both Main cranking battery and Aux battery


Setup as finished and running (Will be getting smaller battery box for Absorbed Power AGM, pic shows my other big berther AGM)


Overall rear shot with inverter mounted (Just need to fit off inverter wiring)


Overall everything seems to be running well. I installed the fridge after I took the shots and the battery fits in very nicely behind the space at the back. The RanOx is completely set and forget. It sits idle monitoring both batteries and automatically detects the engine is running and starts charging once it's verified the engine is running. Once this happens it changes the supply to the 2 plugs from the aux battery to the main battery.

The only thing I've noticed so far is that the cooling fan is quite audible in the back when stationary with no radio on. Once moving you can't hear it much at all. I'm running the fridge off the auxillary battery so will see how it charges back up tomorrow.

Will report back.

Also I must say that the guys at Ranox have been excellent through the whole setup phase. They promptly reply back to any queries you may have and are very supportive with the unit. I would have to say that they are one of the better companies I've dealt with whilst modding the Prado, they take pride in their work, they listen to any feedback and are genuinely keen to get you sorted. I couldn't be happier!

Cheers,

Crammy

[clifton]

Hi Crammy,
Looking good mate, all you need now is some DIN rails and buses on the Milford and Maaaate the Lecy Mod possibilities are endless.

It will be interesting to hear how it performs, but know doubt it should be OK as lots of campers, boats use this type of convertor to handle difficult charging jobs.

[Crammy]

Don't laugh mate that's nearly the route I was going to head down!! Thought it may look a little outrageous and untidy though!!

Seems to be working well so far, did a few short trips today and it's charging at it's full rated capacity... My AGM was sucking up all 25A it could deliver.

It's interesting to watch the charging of the D4D alternator on the Ranox... It's pretty damn low at times down to 13.3 most of the time and gets dragged down to 12.3-12.5v with the ranox and fridge running. This was the lowest I have seen it down to, but it all depends what the alternator is pumping out is it varies quite a lot being ECU controlled. The highest I've seen it run at is 12.8v with ranox and fridge. Interestingly the fridge only drops on average .2v off the supply voltage with the ranox so I'm pretty happy with that, in turbo mode it drops about .3v.

Crammy

[clifton]

Hi Crammy,
Those figures sound good, those DC-DC convertors can really belt in the current when needed for AGM's.

[Snowy FNQ]

I am going down the REDARC route now, have the standard isolator and Offroad Downunder tray fitted, but am wondering if I am wasting my time. However I came accross this today http://www.redarc.com.au/news/BCDC-1206.pdf

Anyone else had a look at or tried one of these?

Cheers

[leachy_9]

The BCDC-1206 only has an output of 6.5A, whereas the Ranox has a 25A output. I don'tyour exact needs, but for most people maximising the recharge rate is important. My advise would be to get a RanOx.

Leachy

[Snowy FNQ]

Thanks Leachy, sounds like good advice, I'm an electrical numpty at best.

Cheers

[Crammy]

I gotta say I'm pretty damned impressed with my current dual battery setup!

The Ranox coupled with the Absorbed power AGM is running a treat. I plugged the 60L Waeco in yesterday arvo set it to 2 degrees and left it over night. Checked the Ranox display this morning and the AGM was resting at 12.8v. According to the Absorbed power website, 12.8v and above is 100% charged, although it couldn't have been 100%, but must be still damn close (50% is 12.2v).

Drove to work this morning (20 min drive/Charge time) I left the car for the day, checked the ranox before I started the car after work and it's still sitting on 12.8v! I had to double check that the fridge was on!

My old AGM has nothing on the new one... Which did highlight a possible issue with the way I have the Ranox setup. The issue is the D4D alternator voltage again!! At one stage during the charging yesterday (At full current: 30A in, 25A out and fridge running in turbo mode 5-6A) I noticed that the input voltage on the Ranox dropped down to 12.2v. With around .3 -.4v loss between the Ranox (At full load current and fridge running on same supply) and main battery, puts the alternator charge rate at the time at approximately 12.6v.

Now the Ranox is currently setup to monitor the input voltage to determine whether the engine is running, and in this case did a couple of funny charge cycle's then turned off briefly before restarting and doing the same thing. This isn't a charger issue but an input voltage issue.

All this means is that I may have to input the Ranox supply from an ignition relay to start the charging process rather than have the Ranox monitor the input voltage for me, but I'll see how it goes with the new AGM.

Anyhow I'll see how it travels over the next week or so but at the moment I'm WRAPPED!!

Cheers,

Crammy

**EDIT 24/11/08** Seems that the above issue may have indeed had something to do with my battery as the problem I had hasn't reappeared since I changed to my new battery. So overall things are running brilliantly, what a top system!!

[AlanR]

Crammy and other Interested Owners

This is Alan from RanOx again.
Just letting you all know that we are pleased that RanOx solves the Prado D4D auxiliary battery charging problem.
If anyone wants advice, we are ready to help. We will NOT just push RanOx, but give honest technically based adviceto those who ask.
Please contact us via Email (info@RanOx.com.au) or just visit our site ranox.com.au for information.

PradoPoint seems to be a very well run informative Users Group, without the "hype" and mis-information that is common on some other forums.
CONGRATULATIONS !

[Crammy]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the support you've given me over the last month or so. It's true that the product isn't pushed and that you receive great informative advice... Advice and support that continues AFTER the purchase. Guys that have dealt with the Ranox fellas will say the same thing.

I'll just say this again that I an not affiliated with Ranox in anyway, just an absolutely stoked customer!

Cheers,

Crammy

[mjrandom]

Alan, like many on this forum I have the D4D and run an AGM as an auxiliary. While I haven't had cause to worry yet I am interested in the Ranox system. I don't have a cargo barrier (which is a nice mounting point) and have no intentions of fitting it as we need the rear seats. Mounting the unit inside the car is a therefore a problem for me so are you likely to do an underbonnet unit at any stage in the future?

thanks,

Michael

[AlanR]

MIchael
Sorry, but as RanOx handles over 350 Watt of through power, even at over 90% efficiency, the heat generated internally can not be readily dissipated under the bonnet. We have fan assisted cooling (when required), but this of-course means a non-sealed enclosure. Electronics "internals" don't like dust and moisture. So we must have a "friendly" environment for the RanOx.
We would like to have such a rugged sealed unit, but it is just not practical for us at these power levels.

Other Prado owners have mounted under passenger seat, or in rear of vehicle (Crammy has great installation snaps).
Note that it can be mounted in all orientations, EXCEPT "front" (air outlet) down.
You don't NEED to see display whilst driving, RanOx will just work once you have set it appropriately. It has front LEDs to draw your attention to the LCD display, IF there is some problem.

Hope this clarifies the issue.
Regards to the forum (thanks for the kind words, Crammy)
Alan.

[leachy_9]

Alan,

is there any restriction on the cable length from the RanOx to the Aux. battery ?

Leachy

[Crammy]

Alan, like many on this forum I have the D4D and run an AGM as an auxiliary. While I haven't had cause to worry yet I am interested in the Ranox system. I don't have a cargo barrier (which is a nice mounting point) and have no intentions of fitting it as we need the rear seats. Mounting the unit inside the car is a therefore a problem for me so are you likely to do an underbonnet unit at any stage in the future?

thanks,

Michael

Mj,

Some guys are mounting stuff behind the glove box so this may be an option also. Just need to ensure there's sufficient space for airflow. Mounting here will also reduce the distance to your auxiliary battery if it's under the bonnet, which will keep cable sizing down.

Crammy

[AlanR]

Leachy
We supply about 1 metre on the output as standard, using sheathed 6 mm (4.59 sq. mm) twin cable. The temperature probe is similar.
As output voltage drop can be an issue at 25 Amp, we recommend any "extension" be of larger cross section, using quality joints.
Any drop reduces as the current decreases towards full battery charge, so battery is held to regulated/controlled (tempereature compensated) voltage to give complete charge.

Some Prado owners have reported that under bonnet batteries are reaching 50 deg. C with just engine-bay heating

Input cable resistance is not as critical, just wastes your electrical energy and MAY limit your maximum current
- RanOx needs up to 30A at 13V, if you want 25A at 14V5 output (over 90% efficient, but we can't make power)
Resistance/cross-section usually IS important in caravan/camper/trailer, with their much longer cable runs.
Also absorbtion fridge loads may cause significant voltage drop.

Hope this helps
Alan for RanOx P/L

[Crammy]

Leachy
We supply about 1 metre on the output as standard, using sheathed 6 mm (4.59 sq. mm) twin cable. The temperature probe is similar.
As output voltage drop can be an issue at 25 Amp, we recommend any "extension" be of larger cross section, using quality joints.
Any drop reduces as the current decreases towards full battery charge, so battery is held to regulated/controlled (tempereature compensated) voltage to give complete charge.

Some Prado owners have reported that under bonnet batteries are reaching 50 deg. C with just engine-bay heating

Input cable resistance is not as critical, just wastes your electrical energy and MAY limit your maximum current
- RanOx needs up to 30A at 13V, if you want 25A at 14V5 output (over 90% efficient, but we can't make power)
Resistance/cross-section usually IS important in caravan/camper/trailer, with their much longer cable runs.
Also absorbtion fridge loads may cause significant voltage drop.

Hope this helps
Alan for RanOx P/L

All up I'd say I have roughly 2.5m between the Ranox and Aux battery. I'm using 16mm2 flex to the battery from the fuse box and 6mm2 from the Ranox to the fuse box.

[Grey Nomad]

Hi all

I finally got around to the auxiliary AGM battery installation in the rear of my D4D Prado. Apparently the battery is able to function upside down underwater! The pictures should say it all.

Cheers - John

[clifton]

Hi Grey Nomad,
A very nice setup mate, I hate to nit pick but those main +Ve -Ve cables could do with some more protection to prevent chaffing against your draw system rear bulkhead, it could also be the way the photograph turned out, otherwise great stuff you will have many peacefull nights, knowing that your AGM has got a good charge.

[Grey Nomad]

Hi Grey Nomad,
A very nice setup mate, I hate to nit pick but those main +Ve -Ve cables could do with some more protection to prevent chaffing against your draw system rear bulkhead, it could also be the way the photograph turned out, otherwise great stuff you will have many peacefull nights, knowing that your AGM has got a good charge.

Mate, thanks for the comment. You may be able to just see the outer sheath protecting the inner cables. However, I will flag this as something to keep my eye on.
I sure wish that a product like the RanOx had been around for the last 25 years as I have always had trouble with auxiliary batteries. I have used diode isolators and "smart" relays (both Redarc and ARB) but my auxiliary batteries have never been long lasting or really successful. Great to know that the RanOx is Aussie!
Cheers - John

[Crammy]

Great stuff John! So you're running to of them now... You'll sure have plenty of power now that your batteries will be fully charged!

Top job!

Crammy