Max Size RRS/D3 Aux Battery

[101RRS]

Looking through the threads most people seem to have fitted a yellow optima aux battery under the bonnet of their RRS/D3. As I understand it these batteries are only 60Ah.

I still have both spaces available under the bonnet so I am interested to know what is the largest battery in Ah that people have put in their cars and which spot will take the biggest battery.

Thanks

Garry

[drivesafe]

Hi Garry and the D34 ( 55Ah ) is a perfect fit in the driver’s side battery compartment but I believe you can fit up to an 80Ah on the other side, just in front of the Cranking Battery compartment.

I personally have not seen anyone use anything but the D34 in both places.

[adzee]

Why do you need a bigger battery than that? Just out of interest....

I have the traxide battery system (USI 160) and the D34 and haven't felt the need for more. I just got a folding Solar panel for when I want to camp with out driving for a few day. Cools my fridge no probs during those few days.

[101RRS]

55Ah is not going to last long running the usual campsite gear in a forested area or overcast without running the engine. When away recently in my camper its 45Ah ran out of puff in two days camping under trees with 120w solar.

Just want to get the max Ah that will fit.

garry

[lrdef110]

I have a 70 ah Federal AGM in front of the cranking battery. Just fits. I don't think you would get anything larger in without moving things around.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/11/303.jpg

Cheers

[Nomad9]

Hi Garry,
You might want to consider the Blue Optima battery, I find the two butterfly connection terminals really useful, much tidier than having to clamp everything to the posts. Se what you think. As for "puff" for what I use it for I haven't had a problem.

[drivesafe]

Hi Garry and I can’t remember whether you have one of my isolators.

If you do then with a 55Ah Optima fitted, it will give you 90Ah of usable battery capacity.

[CaverD3]

The bigest that will fit is the Varta 80ampH will just fit with some trimming of the battery box and battery.

[rrturboD]

Garry,
Have a measure for me and let me know the max dimensions, and I'll see what I can find that will fill the hole.
Also, agree with Drivesafe re isolator 55/90, so that may be a solution too. I have a 'spare' 80A unit you could try.
Michael T

[101RRS]

Hi Garry and I can’t remember whether you have one of my isolators.

If you do then with a 55Ah Optima fitted, it will give you 90Ah of usable battery capacity.

I have nothing at the moment other than a cable from the main battery to an anderson plug at the rear to power the camper when driving.

So how does a 55Ah battery give 90Ah - surely it is a 90Ah battery them.

garry

[scarry]

So how does a 55Ah battery give 90Ah - surely it is a 90Ah battery them.

garry

It uses some power from the cranking battery before isolating it.Works well,have used mine numerous times.Isolates the cranking battery at around 12.1 volts.Still heaps left to start the engine.:)

[TerryO]

Hi Garry,

When we go camping if parked up and not running the D3 our 60 L Evakool will run for about 2.5 days with constant opening and closing of the lid using a 55 amp Optima along with one of Drivesafes 55/90 kits.

Combined together both do the job very well.

I also purchased the Optima from Mike in Canberra as well if that helps. ...:)

cheers,
Terry

[CaverD3]

I think he means the traxside unit will take some of the capacity of the cranking battery before it cuts it off?

Oops too late.

[gps-au]

The bigest that will fit is the Varta 80ampH will just fit with some trimming of the battery box and battery.


Agreed... The extra AH do come in handy ocassionally !!

[CaverD3]

Indeed and with traxside kit a potential 115ampH. :eek::)

[101RRS]

Thanks - now understand, I did not link the statement on battery usage to the Traxide system - so the Optima is only 55Ah.

So back to original question - the largest so far is a Federal 70Ah does anyone have or know of a larger battery that will fit??

Thanks

Garry

[CaverD3]

Err....no.. ;)


The bigest that will fit is the Varta 80ampH will just fit with some trimming of the battery box and battery.

Just needs trimming on the inside a the bottom where bits stick out if you want to put the cover back on. Have a look in the spare battery box. If in doubt go to a battery place and try to drop it in. You will see how it can fit.

[gps-au]

Err....no.. ;)



Just needs trimming on the inside a the bottom where bits stick out if you want to put the cover back on. Have a look in the spare battery box. If in doubt go to a battery place and try to drop it in. You will see how it can fit.

The trimming is easy, just have a hacksaw blade with you, its one "ledge" off the end of the battery.

You will also need a piece of metal and some "imperial" threaded rod for the battery clamp.

Also be aware that the terminals have to match up to avoid having to extend cables etc.

When I did mine the hardest task was getting imperial threaded rod and cutting it down (NB: unequal lengths !!).

[101RRS]

Err....no.. ;)



Just needs trimming on the inside a the bottom where bits stick out if you want to put the cover back on. Have a look in the spare battery box. If in doubt go to a battery place and try to drop it in. You will see how it can fit.

Sorry mate - for some reason missed your earlier post - must have been all the excitement of being able to get 90Ah out of 55Ah.

Garry

[irondoc]

hi garry

i have a 80Ah Remco battery in my D4 in front of the main battery. It is an AGM battery and is not supposed to be under the bonnet - apparently because they don't like heat.

Anyway, it has been their for a year now and is performing well....

cheers
lucas

[CaverD3]

You should be able to fit a much larger battery there as you have more height. But it is exposed to heat.

[irondoc]

If you don't move anything, you can't get much bigger in there as there is not enough length and the top terminal bolt rubs ever so slightly on the bonnet
Cheers
lucas

[drivesafe]

Garry, if you NEED large stored battery capacity, there is the option of putting a battery in the rear cargo area.

I have a number of customer who have a battery box in the rear cargo area that they only place it in there when they go on a trip.

You could also fit to small batteries up front, one in each of the locations mentioned.

I have a couple of customers with their D4 set up this way and this would be the same as doing yours this way.

[phl]

hi garry

i have a 80Ah Remco battery in my D4 in front of the main battery. It is an AGM battery and is not supposed to be under the bonnet - apparently because they don't like heat.

Anyway, it has been their for a year now and is performing well....

cheers
lucas

Lucas,

Are you using the Traxide SC-80LR system with the battery tray and if so, did the Remco fit without any modification to the setup?