What should I get as 2nd battery

[walker]

Any suggestions for what I should get as the 2nd battery?

I have usually used an exide orbital blue top but open to suggestions. It is going in the rear cargo bin.

Should it be a calcium battery. I have heard that it should be because the starter battery is??????

[redrovertdi]

I use a century marine battery from supercheap because it has a 24 month warranty[6 months on a deep cycle battery] and can be taken back to any supercheap, its runs a waeco cf50 constantly and is charged through a abr sidewinder[$79], been great for the last 18 months.
Richard

[brenno]

I've got an Optima yellow top as main, and have a another yellow top I'm going to run as second, also in the cargo area... When I get round to having it done.

[Eevo]

yellow top

[mirror11726]

Yes yellow top. Ebay for a great price.

[Hoges]

I've had 2 x Supercharge (no relation to Supercheap) All Rounders for the past 3 yrs... 7xx CCA; 105 AH. Less than $200 ea. Two sets of terminals: normal plus screw thread ones for auxil. connections. Can be used as starter or deep cell. Excellent

[walker]

Yellow tops look very expensive. And the don't seem to be very high A/h???

[SiddersC]

55 if I remember correctly

But they do recharge quickly and can take a beating

[PhilipA]

As I posted long ago, my Yellow Top only lasted 3 years before dying, and I had the same life out of an "Absorbed Power' for much much less money and it was 85AH vs 55.. My latest cheapy 95 AH has only lasted 2years and 6 months but it only cost $219 delivered.LOL

I think the blue and red tops are good but as they have a lot of CCA for the size. I plan to put a red top in the Aux tray of my D2 for 800CCA and then I can fit a 110AH AGM in the front tray.

There are quite a few cheapies around but it is a lottery I guess. Fullriver and Absorbed Power Chinese batteries seem to have a good reputation.
Regard sPhilip A

[walker]

I have always heard good things about the yellow top, but $245 for only 55ah seems excessive. I think you are paying for the high starting amps but this is irrelevant for me as it will only be running a fridge and lights sometimes.
As much as I like the spiral wound cells, I think I would rather a higher A/h battery so I can run the fridge for longer without recharging.

[njz]

We put a Remco 100ah in the rear storage bin of the father in law's D2. I believe it works well and he is happy with it.

I read somewhere that the Remco can't be used under the bonnet.

[Vern]

Wouldn't it depend on how long your driving for as to how quick you need the battery to charge as to what type of battery you need?

[warren9981]

Whatever you get make sure it is a sealed AGM type battery. Lead acid inside your vehicle cabin is dangerous and will void your insurance if you have an accident.

[BigBlueOne]

I have an Optima red top for starting and a Optima yellow top for aux battery. The yellow top runs my fridge for a couple of days no problems and the red top starts first time, every time.

[drivesafe]

Whatever you get make sure it is a sealed AGM type battery. Lead acid inside your vehicle cabin is dangerous and will void your insurance if you have an accident.

Hi Warren and that’s a bit of a myth, plus, all batteries, except lithiums, are lead acid batteries, including all AGMs.

All batteries are safe to use inside the cab of any vehicle.

The only requirement is that the battery, no matter what type of battery it is, it should be mounted inside a plastic battery box.

Next and this is just a suggestion, probably the best battery on the market is the Optima Yellow Top, BUT the further away you locate a Yellow top from the cranking battery, the less the advantage is for using a Yellow Top over any other battery.

A Yellow Top will still charge faster than a conventional battery, even at the end of a long run of 6B&S cable ( standard DBS Cable size ) but it will not charge as fast as when it is close to the cranking battery.

So combine the reduced recharging capability and the small size and the advantage is lost.

For less money you can fit a Remco, a very good battery, or for even less cost, you could fit an Allrounder.

In both cases you would have a larger capacity for a lot less expense.

Note, both of these batteries are Calcium/Calcium batteries and as such, you need to give them a BOOST cycle charge every month or so with a decent mains battery charger.

Now, just to throw a spanner in the works, if cost was not a limiting factor and it is for most people, but if you could justify the cost, two small Optima Yellow Tops and some decent cabling would give you the best deep cycle set up with a realistic battery capacity.

[Ollie]

I have a 2nd Optima 55Ah battery under the bonnet with a dual battery relay. This is used as the back up for the winch. Because of volt drop issues with the fridge I fitted a 3rd battery in the rear in the cargo recess. 200Ah Deep Cycle
I believe it is sealed but if too high a charging current is used it is possible it will vent excess pressure. To increase the life do not discharge past 50%. I have 4mm cables running from the engine bay and blocking diodes so the 3rd battery will charge from the alternator but not supply anything but the fridge and inverter, no battery leads from front to back. I have changed all the plugs and sockets to Anderson type. I will be fitting a solar panel for extended camp trips.

[warren9981]

[QUOTE=drivesafe;1868399]Hi Warren and that’s a bit of a myth, plus, all batteries, except lithiums, are lead acid batteries, including all AGMs.

All batteries are safe to use inside the cab of any vehicle.

The only requirement is that the battery, no matter what type of battery it is, it should be mounted inside a plastic battery box.

Just after clarification Drivesafe "after checking the Australian Government Website" http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/Street_COP_sec_7.pdf

7.7.1 Batteries are to be secured and placed in a container suitable for the purpose of holding a battery. The battery must be positioned outside of the passenger compartment unless it is in an enclosure that is vented to the outside of the passenger compartment. A dry type battery may installed inside the passenger compartment.

Are the yellow tops and "AGM" batteries classed as dry cell or wet cell?

[drivesafe]

Hi Warren and sorry mate but there are more than two dozen “NEW” makes of vehicles that have the cranking battery fitted in the cab, or boot or some other compartment joining the cab of these vehicles, including VE Commodores.

The Commodore is a perfect example of how the law is interpreted.

The cranking battery is NOT a dry type but is fitted in the boot, which is not hermetically sealed from the cab and the later versions have no drain pipe so the battery is vented into the boot and CAB.

If the manufacturers can do it then there is no reason anybody else can’t.

[Eevo]

The cranking battery is NOT a dry type but is fitted in the boot, which is not hermetically sealed from the cab and the later versions have no drain pipe so the battery is vented into the boot and CAB.


not legal in SA.
must be a sealed battery

[walker]

Hi Warren and that’s a bit of a myth, plus, all batteries, except lithiums, are lead acid batteries, including all AGMs.

All batteries are safe to use inside the cab of any vehicle.

The only requirement is that the battery, no matter what type of battery it is, it should be mounted inside a plastic battery box.

Next and this is just a suggestion, probably the best battery on the market is the Optima Yellow Top, BUT the further away you locate a Yellow top from the cranking battery, the less the advantage is for using a Yellow Top over any other battery.

A Yellow Top will still charge faster than a conventional battery, even at the end of a long run of 6B&S cable ( standard DBS Cable size ) but it will not charge as fast as when it is close to the cranking battery.

So combine the reduced recharging capability and the small size and the advantage is lost.

For less money you can fit a Remco, a very good battery, or for even less cost, you could fit an Allrounder.

In both cases you would have a larger capacity for a lot less expense.

Note, both of these batteries are Calcium/Calcium batteries and as such, you need to give them a BOOST cycle charge every month or so with a decent mains battery charger.

Now, just to throw a spanner in the works, if cost was not a limiting factor and it is for most people, but if you could justify the cost, two small Optima Yellow Tops and some decent cabling would give you the best deep cycle set up with a realistic battery capacity.


Thanks. I had a look at the Remco battery and it seems to be about $300 for 100ah. I can get the 55ah yellow top for $245 so maybe I should just go that way.
I still have my SC-80 so it will all be connected to that. ;)

[drivesafe]

not legal in SA.
must be a sealed battery

Hi Eevo and I’ll lay money that none of the later model VE commodores had a special battery fitted to them just so they could be registered in SA.

Furthermore, there is no such thing as a “SEALED” lead acid battery.

Quite a few battery manufacturers labelled their AGMs as SEALED but they are not and there never has been a “SEALED” lead acid battery for automotive and/or RV use.

I might also add that a number of battery manufacturers are now labelling their AGMs as “SPILL PROOF” instead of calling them a sealed battery.

All lead acid batteries have some form of vent or valve set up to allow them to spew electrolyte in the event of overcharging occurring.

Without a vent, any lead acid battery in such a situation would simply go “BANG”

Folks, there are a lot of myths and half truths posted up in all sorts of places, including Government documentation, as Warren posted the link to. You would think these organisations could get it right, so when people go looking for safety advice, they get accurate info supplied to them.

The reality is that conventional flooded ( wet ) cell batteries have been located in the cabs of vehicles ever since they started fitting batteries to vehicles and there has never been a problem and just to give you another example, there were 25,000,000 VW Beetles made and every one of them had a 6v or 12v flooded ( wet ) cell cranking battery fitted in the cab under the rear seat, and no venting what so ever.

Here is a word of caution if you are considering fitting a battery in the rear of your 4x4.

If the battery is going to be surrounded by a cupboard or shelving, then you MUST make sure that air will naturally and easily circulate around the battery.

A battery can not build up enough hydrogen when simply fitted inside the cab of a vehicle, even in something as small as a VW Beetle, but put the battery in an enclosure, and you have real the potential for a gas build-up to the point where you could have an explosion and unfortunately this does occur.

[drivesafe]

Thanks. I had a look at the Remco battery and it seems to be about $300 for 100ah. I can get the 55ah yellow top for $245 so maybe I should just go that way.
I still have my SC-80 so it will all be connected to that. ;)

Hi Adam and with the way the SC80 works, with your 55Ah Optima, you will still have at least 90Ah avilable for your 12v accessories.

[Eevo]

Hi Eevo and I’ll lay money that none of the later model VE commodores had a special battery fitted to them just so they could be registered in SA.

Furthermore, there is no such thing as a “SEALED” lead acid battery.


Vehicle inspections, in SA, commonly known as "Regency", will only accept a battery in the boot if its sealed. like a optima yellow top.
i know this as my s14 went thought regency 18 months ago with a yellowtop in the boot.

the police officer who defected me for it, was wrong in his knowledge of the rules.

when it comes to vehicle standards and inspection, regency is the ultimate authority.

[walker]

I think people are getting their terms mixed up!!! What you mean is that the police will accept a battery in the boot if it is a "non maintenance" type battery. As has been pointed out, there is no such thing as a sealed battery.

[Eevo]

I think people are getting their terms mixed up!!! What you mean is that the police will accept a battery in the boot if it is a "non maintenance" type battery. As has been pointed out, there is no such thing as a sealed battery.

the yellowtop is a non-maintenance/maintenance-free battery.
im sorry to say but dont rely on police for accurate information.

regardless of if you call it non maintenance or sealed, vehicle inspections will accept a yellowtop battery in the boot without a breather unit.

[Eevo]

Frequently asked questions - Government of South Australia (http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/Transport,+travel+and+motoring/Motoring/Vehicles+and+registration/Vehicle+standards+and+modifications/Frequently+asked+questions)



Can I put a battery in the boot of my vehicle?

You may fit a battery in the boot of your vehicle provided that it is securely mounted in a battery box. If it is a battery that emits fumes it must be vented externally to the atmosphere. If the battery is a sealed type there is no requirement to have it vented to the atmosphere.

[drivesafe]

Frequently asked questions - Government of South Australia (http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/Transport,+travel+and+motoring/Motoring/Vehicles+and+registration/Vehicle+standards+and+modifications/Frequently+asked+questions)



Can I put a battery in the boot of my vehicle?

You may fit a battery in the boot of your vehicle provided that it is securely mounted in a battery box. If it is a battery that emits fumes it must be vented externally to the atmosphere. If the battery is a sealed type there is no requirement to have it vented to the atmosphere.

This simply displays the ignorance of the person writing the rules.

[Eevo]

This simply displays the ignorance of the person writing the rules.

that is a possibility, however as it is currently written they will accept what they believed to be a sealed unit.

[brenno]

I guess it depends on the definition of 'boot'.

The cargo area of Disco's is not what I'd call a 'boot' by any means. To me a boot is the area in the back of a sedan, that nobody sits in, and is separate to the cabin.

Our Disco's are wagons. We don't have a boot.

[Eevo]

I guess it depends on the definition of 'boot'.

The cargo area of Disco's is not what I'd call a 'boot' by any means. To me a boot is the area in the back of a sedan, that nobody sits in, and is separate to the cabin.

Our Disco's are wagons. We don't have a boot.

in a sedan you can fold down the back seats and there is airflow between boot and cabin, like in a disco

[Roberto]

Yellow top. My first one lasted eight years. I use a ctek charger to deliver enough voltage down the back of the vehicle. The advantage of the yellow top is long life, mechanical strength, doesn't spill acid, and charges quickly. The online price is pretty good too.