Remco 80A/h second battery install

[irondoc]

Hi guys

here is a photo of my second battery install into my 2011 2.7 D4. It is a Remco 80Ah dual purpose battery installed with Drivesafe's kit with a couple of modifications.

I wanted a bit more power than the standard 55Ah Optima, so tried this. It is a tight squeeze and the negative battery terminal protrudes into the headlining of the bonnet, but nothing major as long as the negative terminal battery cable heads towards the engine bay where there is more room under the bonnet.

I had to get a different tie-down clamp (ABR sidewinder) and relocated everything to the driver's side. I've got to tidy up a bit, but it is working well. Not sure how the under-bonnet temps will affect the battery...

cheers
lucas

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/2382/imag0008wk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/imag0008wk.jpg/)

[jonesy63]

What a coincidence! I just installed the Traxide SC80 and Optima D34 that were in my D3, along with the new battery tray - into my D4. Weekend job will be running power to the luggage compartment.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/11/931.jpg

[irondoc]

getting that cable through the firewall by myself was one of the most difficult things i've done.....

[CaverD3]

irondoc, what are the dimensions of the battery.

[drivesafe]

Hi Irondoc, Remco seen to be a good battery and I hate to be a wet blanket but keep an eye on that battery as the manufacturer specifically states the operating temperatures are between -30 to 45 degrees Celsius.

And they state it is not recommended to continually operate these batteries over 45 degrees.

While the Optima is safe with higher temperatures I would be very interested if anyone has found a battery of larger capacity that will both fit in the location and tolerate the higher temperatures.

[jonesy63]

getting that cable through the firewall by myself was one of the most difficult things i've done.....
Hey irondoc - what size cable did you use?

I ran 8 GA in my D3 and it fitted through the unused clutch cable grommet with ease.

[oldsalt]

When I fitted mine I used the standard cable that came with the Traxide kit and at the same time I ran the CB radio's aerial cable plus 12v wiring through the hole in the firewall and it all just pushed straight through ... no worries ... so he may have used a different hole or a much larger diameter cable ... for me this was the easiest part of the job.
cheers

[irondoc]

CaverD3, dimensions are 259 x 165 x 208

Jonesy, I used Drivesafe's kit, not sure what gauge it is, but it is pretty heavy duty. I might look for a different grommet, maybe there is another one down there.

i'll let you know how the battery copes with being under the bonnet. a while back i had a Remco 100Ah under the bonnet in a =censored= and it did ok

cheers
lucas

[drivesafe]

My traxide kits come with 6B&S Twin ( 13.5mm2 x 2 ) all the way from the cranking battery to the Anderson plug at the rear.

If it’s one of my TPSE ( Two Power Socket Extension ) Kits come with 6B&S ( 13.5mm2 ) from the cranking battery to the Auxiliary battery and 8B&S Twin ( 7.9mm2 x 2 ) from the auxiliary battery to a junction in the rear cargo area.

All my D3 and D4 kits are now designed to use a small hole in the fire wall just behind the accelerator pedal. The reason this hole is used over the hole up near the brake booster is that while no manual D3s or D4 are sold here they are available overseas and the hole beside the brake booster is for the clutch in a manual vehicle.

The other hole is not used in any vehicle so I have made this the standard cable route, and note, because all the heavy duty cables are cut to the exact length, the cable is now slightly shorter and will not be long enough if the hole near the brake booster is used to get through the fire wall.

[PCH]

What a coincidence! I just installed the Traxide SC80 and Optima D34 that were in my D3, along with the new battery tray - into my D4. Weekend job will be running power to the luggage compartment.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/11/931.jpg


Jonesy63,

Can you please tell me about the battery mount you have used to mount the Optima in your D4. Soon I will need to do the same as you have done and do not wish to modify things make room in the driverside box to fit the second battery in the D4.

Thanks Chris

[jonesy63]

Jonesy63,

Can you please tell me about the battery mount you have used to mount the Optima in your D4. Soon I will need to do the same as you have done and do not wish to modify things make room in the driverside box to fit the second battery in the D4.

Thanks Chris

Hi Chris,
I rang Tim (drivesafe) and ordered the tray kit off him. I did see them elsewhere, but as I've had good service and support from Tim - and also Traxide is a site sponsor... I thought it best to support him!

I was in the same situation as you - didn't feel like fighting LR for every warranty claim - after emptying the old aux battery tray. I'm sure they would blame every failure under the sun on that one.
Cheers,
Rob