When you go on a vehicle based adventure, the vehicle is your lifeline, and if that lifeline should falter, consequences can be dire.

Winches, lighting, laptops, GPS, fridges, DVD players, etc. all demand a lot from your battery. Losing power to your vehicle is a valid concern. With all the latest equipment drawing on your battery system, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you’re battery will have enough juice to turn over the engine after a good night’s sleep.

Before your next big overland trip, consider installing a dual battery split charge system to manage the load you put on your battery.

By adding an auxiliary car battery to your vehicle and an accurate monitoring and control system, you’ve given yourself the security of knowing exactly what your battery levels are, as well as the tools to charge one or both of them from the cab of your vehicle if they get too low.

The standard configuration is for the factory vehicle electric systems to remain connected to the main battery, and attach all accessories: the refrigerator, auxiliary lights, 12v outlets, etc. to the additional battery.

Properly charging the batteries and managing the current requires a SPLIT CHARGE SYSTEM.

A split-charge system works by allowing both the starting battery and auxiliary batteries to charge when the vehicle is running, then isolates them from each other when the vehicle stops.

Split-Charge systems are widely used in the 4x4 and boating industries where a main starting battery needs to be isolated from auxiliary batteries when appliances or extra loads run the risk of flattening the starting battery, leaving you stranded.

Split-charge systems must be able to sense when to connect the batteries to the alternator, to each other, and when to isolate them. This is accomplished by a combination of accurate voltage sensing and timing sequences. Additionally, errors such as open or short-circuits need to be detected and dealt with accordingly.

Front Runner Vehicle Outfitters uses and recommends National Luna products as the heart of a dual battery set up.

South Africa based National Luna’s battery management systems are time tested, proven, vehicle energy control equipment. From the harsh demands of Africa, National Luna offers a complete line of cutting edge, dependable monitoring and control options.

After studying problems in the field and gathering input from leading world-wide 4x4 specialists, National Luna has developed a fully comprehensive split charging system which caters to all conditions of battery charging.  This system has been specifically designed not to interfere with the motor vehicle’s electrical system.  Using digital technology, the battery monitors constantly measure the voltage of your battery and warn you when the battery is getting flat or when the battery is being overcharged. Visual and audible alarms are standard.

When the vehicle’s engine is running, the main battery gets a full charge for approximately 5 minutes before connecting both batteries in parallel. The time delay function has been introduced to protect the vehicle’s alternator, as well as enabling the main battery to recover lost charge before introducing the charge to the auxiliary battery.

The National Luna split-charge system allows the user to control the connection of the batteries by overriding the built-in timer.

The most inventive and useful feature is that the system allows the user to "jump-start" either battery from the other. This is particularly useful if your starting battery is flat. There’s no need for a jump from a second vehicle when you can just jump yourself. This is a significant safety feature -- especially handy when you’re really far off the beaten path and haven’t seen another car in days...