200 Series Landcruiser Build - Episode II 12v System 

All good mate - I made the videos to help out so if anyone has any questions I’m more than happy to answer them :)

Thanks guys! Can't wait to catch up again on the road soon!

Thanks Warren! You won’t regret going with DCS, I can highly recommend their gear as I had no issues!

Stu Applegate glad to hear mate! I’ll try and grab some photos tomorrow and shoot them over to you!

Troy Staines thanks. Photos pending!😉

Hey Steve - thanks for commenting! Sounds like you are in the same boat as I was. The DCS batteries are an awesome choice mate can't recommend them highly enough. I have used the Victron Smart Solar unit and I can't recommend that highly enough either - the fact that the entire system is bluetooth enabled and you can just open the app on your smartphone to see what the solar is doing or what the batteries are doing is awesome. I'm not sure if its the fact the lithium batteries have a lower resistance, or that the Victron solar regulator is more efficient, but I'm also finding that my same old 160w solar panel really pumps the power into these batteries so really can't recommend this combination enough!

Sorry to hear about this! Did you try speaking to DCS even though it was out of warranty? I sold the 200 about 3 years ago and the new owner has said he did replace one DCS battery under warranty in the bonnet after about a year. I have a few mates that have them under their bonnets still with no issues.

Thanks mate!

Hey Gavin - literally just a cheap one from Supercheap Auto. I think Ridge Rider? Haven’t had any issues and still going strong after a few years on the roof now, especially when coupled with the Victron MPPT Smart Solar regulator!

@@TroyStaines Cheers mate - thanks for all the helpful information - keep up the good work!

Thanks for watching - glad you got something out of it!

Hi Don - as far as I’m aware yes. My voltage gauge in the car shows when I’m driving that the battery voltage is sitting around 13.8v.

Hey mate - it's a bit of a misconception. There are a heap of different lithium cell types, but the Deep Cycle Systems batteries are engineered and warranted for under the bonnet use. Check out this link for a bit more of an explanation - www.deepcyclesystems.com.au/the-ultimate-dcs-12v-dual-battery/

Hey Tim - It's just a little over $2k to do this. If you compared it with a setup using a high end DCDC charger, with a really good AGM - installed I think most places will sting you between $1000-$1500 to do this. So if you can afford to wait and save that extra money, you get a massive benefit in terms of useable amp hours, higher discharge current, a lot less weight, longer life time and massively higher rate of charge. I personally wished now that I had waited and saved the extra dollars rather than going down the AGM and DCDC route. There's also plenty of options with Deep Cycle Systems - they can do a single lithium battery as a secondary battery, they also have options for smaller twin lithium battery setups (about twice the useable amp hours of an AGM). Going down this road will get you a lithium setup for under $2k pretty easily. I went for the larger twin 100ah batteries which gives me around three times the useable amp hours of an under the bonnet AGM.

I’m pretty sure that DCS are the only company that do warrant for under bonnet use

@@TroyStaines nope is multiple

Brad Williams glad you got something out of it mate! I was in the same boat, just kept dealing with power issues on medium/long trips - wish I went lithium years ago now!

Kadie Hughes haha mate you won’t regret it!!

Amazing! I sold the car now to a friend and last time I spoke with them the electrical system is still working great. I've actually just booked in to get my new car done with the same kind of system using DCS batteries and Victron gear!

Thanks Paul I appreciate the comment mate :)

Thanks for the comment. When I filmed this video I did triple check and I believe that the Model 3 made in the Chinese factory does use LiFePO4 - where as the other models use different lithium chemistry’s. I could be wrong as it may have changed again since filming?

@@TroyStaines Looks like your right for the MIC models with CATL battery packs. I think those sold in OZ to date are made in Fremont with Panasonic batteries. Looks like they'll switch to a new battery design for the Texas build cybertrucks. Cybertruck looks good, not sure how modifiable it will be or chargeable for remote trips. I was a bit shocked they were still using AGMs for 12v systems TBH.

@@TDubya811 that does surprise me that they are using any form of AGM - be interesting to find out the reasoning.

Thanks for the query Mark. There are a HEAP of different types of Lithium batteries - LiFePO4 batteries are actually much better under the bonnet than an AGM and have a much wider, safer and robust operating temperature range when compared to other traditional style deep cycle batteries. The DCS batteries I have also have a highly engineered internal BMS (battery management system) that has over and under temperature protection to protect the cells from damage. The team at DCS are so confident that they warrant their batteries under the bonnet of your car. I've only had mine for a couple of months, but haven't had a single issue to date. I personally know of other people who have had DCS batteries for over 2 years without issue which was a big deciding factor for me in getting these. Check out this link for more information with regards to under the bonnet use: www.deepcyclesystems.com.au/the-ultimate-dcs-12v-dual-battery/

@@TroyStaines Thanks for the prompt reply. I will spend more time reading the DCS article - it seems very comprehensive.

Good on ya mate appreciate everything!

Hey Deano! I sold the 200 about a year after I made these videos to a friend. About 12 months after I sold it he had an issue with one battery that DCS covered under warranty. The battery was still working fine but I believe the bluetooth function wasn't working so it wasn't showing up in the app correctly. I know DCS have released even better batteries since these ones again and it's definitely a mod that I would highly recommend.

Thanks @@TroyStaines Love the Vids. Good to hear things are working well this far down the track. I'm looking at working up a 2012 L200.

@@Deano_KTM they are good 4wd’s mate I definitely miss mine! Appreciate it 🤙