I just had an idea.....after I had my battery die, I'm very wary of using anything electric in the car after I turn it off, other than the radio or something for a bit. So I was thinking of doing the following in:

1. Wireless battery monitor on the main battery. - This would relieve some of my anxiety about the battery.
2. I notice from photos of the 600 that there is a battery in the trunk on the driver's side fender area, So I assume there is a similar free spot in the 460. So why not install a similar sized battery there.
3. When you press the start button once (not the brakes), your radio works... but nothing else right or does it? Because I remember having to press it again to move the windows etc, so I assume the massage etc does not work.. so I ask because I am sure there is some sort of battery management thing some place where when I turn on the car to work whatever electronics I wan't, I can choose which battery is being used.

 

I've installed many amps in trunks over the years, and running the large cables from the front to the back is a pain. I don't know about the second battery thing (charging both from the alternator, if they'll both go dead at the same time, etc.)

I would recommend one of those small lithium ion jump start batteries. Basically a smallish battery with cables for the purpose of starting a car with a dead battery. Most of 'em also have bright flashlights for helping with changing a tire in the dark, etc., and a usb port so you can charge a phone in an emergency.

 

My Pacifica actually has two batteries.

I don’t think this is something that you can conceivably add...

 

I had the same idea- purchased and made my 2/0 cables with copper leads. This can be done but I have limited space in the trunk. Only feasible placement is the left side of the trunk. I know another member w/a non-sport model mounted his second battery (I think AGM type) sideways where the air compressor in the engine would be.

One other idea if you were to mount a second battery and run it through the car, makes sure you get a shielded high current cable (same made for hybrid cars). https://www.evwest.com/catalog/produ...roducts_id=315 or similar.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...ld-thread.html

a few posts down. He had a frame mounted for his red top to be mounted sideways

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-this-one.html anyone see this thread in the 600 they have space there in the trunk for the battery... I assume they also have the full size spare there... so I am guessing we also have space there for battery ? anyone som place nice and warm like cali wanna poke around n the trunk and take a photo.. it is wet and soggy and snowing... I wont be going to the car today so cant confirm

 

Anyone else?

 

It's not hard technically speaking but can be difficult, I've relocated some batteries to trunks/beds/other areas and it's literally as simple as running a wire to the location of the old terminal and making sure said wire is large enough to safely operate the starter without risk of getting hot. Install a fuze, correct the computer for voltage droop if needed and I would advise a cutoff switch and new charging terminals like a typical German car to allow easy tending and hard cutoff.

 

Thanks I will have to look and see what you mean by "new charging terminals like a typical German car"

 

Way too much trouble. Just grab a $40 li-on jump pack. Mine hasn't failed me yet.

 

In most newer cars and in practically all German ones from even the late 90s the battery is impossible to get to directly so they provide places in the form of posts to attach jumping/tending gear to in the engine bay so you don't have to go all the way to the back and remove trunk panels/other stuff to access the battery. If you move the battery to say......inside a sealed box inboard of a truck frame in front of the mufflers under a skid plate, it becomes quite difficult to charge or jump it. Hence why you want to add terminals where the battery used to be located.

 

Understood. Il have a look but just to reiterate I'm not moving the battery to the trunk just adding a second one with the appropriate fuses and shut offs etc and one charges after the main one is full and the 2nd one doesn't drain the main one, cmon I think of that ls600 space is there in the 460 it's made for 2nd battery and having this set up would be a 300 dollar issue 2 battery packs to supply dash cams for just 24 hours in parking mode will cost more than that this is a super cheap and effective way to power lots of stuff without the cost

 

I wanted a second battery for that reason as well- to run my dash cam 24/7 for a few days. I have all the wiring and terminal connectors. Too lazy to decide to mess with it. I was going to put it above the brake control unit on the left side of the trunk.

 

Batteries failing sucks, but I dont think you want to go down the double battery lane. Heck even Lexus thought it wasnt necessary and most owners are fine.

What I`d to quell any fears is the following:

1) Check out your current battery. If its getting older, or it cant pass any battery load tests then get a new one. Check your charging system as well.
2) Battery type matters, so replace any lead acid to a a sealed AGM Panasonic or Odyssey batteries.
3)Get a booster pack that utilizes a super capacitor. No hassle of forgetting to recharge.
4) Get a battery tender to plug in.


Some of these are over reactions but its about piece of mind


-Dual batteries in other vehicles, particularly german brands is not a simp[le concept. They have a battery controller which I assume the Lexus does not have.

 

Batteries die. It's a part of owning an auto. Carry a battery jump box with you in the trunk and call it a day. If you don't think Lexus designed the car properly to work with one battery, and you can do better, then go for it.