duel battery in the storage bins

[gingz]

Hi people,

I am looking at putting a second battery in where the storage bins are in the rear...for people that have done this what type/brand of battery did you install??

cheers in advance

Gingz

[Eevo]

i use Optima Yellow Top for my 2nd battery
and my only battery in my sports car

[simonmelb]

Any good quality Calcium or AGM battery is the go. 120AH is the optimum size - biggest common size that will fit inside the bin without major surgery. I have a Chinese AGM Neuton Power brand in the bin and a Calcium Supercharge Alrounder as my main bat. Both 120 AH and same case size.

The Alrounder is a good choice with a nationwide wte.


Cheers
Simon

[Hastykiwi]

Absolutely do it. Best thing I ever did for camping etc, and the back is so convenient. But....the bottom of the bin does not sit flush on the floor, so to avoid it will sag under the weight, and eventually crack. You need to either cut the base out, or put something in underneath to support the weight.

cheers
Nick

[gingz]

I took the side of the bin off today and noticed that the bottom of the bin sits above the carpet...is it possible to remove the whole plastic section, if so how???

Cheers

[simonmelb]

Yes the Rave cd has instructions on how to remove the plastic trim section. The instructions for "Extended Roof Rails" accessory installation has a link to it.

[Mundy]

I installed a 105Ah Fullriver AGM plus the other control gear. (Do a search on "dual" battery not "duel" and you should find some good info and pictures.)

The carpet only goes under the edge of the bin a short way - maybe 40mm and can be easily pulled out (and pushed back in). However, under the base of the bin is some softer sound deadening material. I managed to install some wood support sheets under the bin base without pulling the bin out. Was a bit fiddly - slipped a thin sheet in first underneath the sound deadening material, then forced in the main support sheet and then pulled out the thin sheet. The trap I made was when drilling the holes through the base of the bin and floor to install the hold down bracket bolts. The soft sound deadening material kept on wrapping around the drill bit. So, not removing the bin is doable, but might be easier in the long run to do so.

I also made a box to sit on top of the battery so I didn't lose all the bin space. There's a picture in one of the threads here if you look.

[gingz]

Cheers mundy. ..

These bloody smart phones and there spell correction...

I will look up the other threads.

Cheers

[Sharkee]

I put a fullriver 120a/h in the left bin. The only plastic I cut was out of the back to expose the seat mounts. I made 2 x heavy brackets out of flat shaped to a u shape and utilised the third row seat mounts to hold it in there. I cut a piece of wood to support the weight, an old battery tray to sit it in and the brackets hold it in place in conjuction with a adjustable strap that goes around the wood and the battery. Does'nt move!
Here is a link to pics etc

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/155181-dual-battery-install-rear-storage-bin.html

[gavinwibrow]

I put a fullriver 120a/h in the left bin. The only plastic I cut was out of the back to expose the seat mounts. I made 2 x heavy brackets out of flat shaped to a u shape and utilised the third row seat mounts to hold it in there. I cut a piece of wood to support the weight, an old battery tray to sit it in and the brackets hold it in place in conjuction with a adjustable strap that goes around the wood and the battery. Does'nt move!
Here is a link to pics etc

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/155181-dual-battery-install-rear-storage-bin.html
Might be a silly question, but without pulling my bins to bits, do all D2a's have the mounts for the 3rd row of seats that Sharkee has used to bolt onto/create a base for his excellent setup?

[Sharkee]

Hi Gav I would think that the 5 seaters would'nt have the bracket as the bolts would hinder the storage bin section from sitting flush but its (as far as I can see) only a bolt in bracket for the seats which would be able to get from a wreckers and I would think that the mounting holes for this bracket would probably be in all of them I reckon but check first. Bracket almost looks like an intrusion bar that has 3rd row seat bolts on it. Unfortunately I cant get a pic for ya as it would involve taking my storage unit and cargo barrier out.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Something I dont think I mentioned is it is a bit awkward getting battery in as you have to gently pry the pins out of the lid to remove lid right out of the way and would be easy to break these pins I reckon. My battery was heavy to lift in so its easier to have a spare set of hands to pull the top of the lid out slightly to gain easier access. Put it this way I would'nt want to be taking it in and out too often.


Thanks Steve