Body Earthing 2010 Defender

[flywheel au]

In the process off fitting second battery in rear of vehicle through a voltage sensing relay. The intent was to run a single cable through a circuit breaker to the VSR in the rear from the pos. starting battery and use a convenient body bolt in the rear to complete the earth connection. I am having trouble getting a reliable earth from any of the body bolts, it would appear that the body may not be earthed by a cable. Whilst I realise the best method of earthing would be directly to the neg. terminal of the starting battery however that terminal appears of an unusual type has no provision to add extra wiring and I am reluctant to cut it off and replace it with a suitable one.
Is the body earthed?.
Thanks, Jim

[yt110]

Have a look at Members Rides
Chooks Defender 110
From post 534
There is a bit of information that may be helpful about earthing problems.

Jim.

[Loubrey]

In the process off fitting second battery in rear of vehicle through a voltage sensing relay. The intent was to run a single cable through a circuit breaker to the VSR in the rear from the pos. starting battery and use a convenient body bolt in the rear to complete the earth connection. I am having trouble getting a reliable earth from any of the body bolts, it would appear that the body may not be earthed by a cable. Whilst I realise the best method of earthing would be directly to the neg. terminal of the starting battery however that terminal appears of an unusual type has no provision to add extra wiring and I am reluctant to cut it off and replace it with a suitable one.
Is the body earthed?.
Thanks, Jim

Jim,

Safe to say that none of the body bolts in the tray/tub area of a Defender (90,110 and 130) will give you a sufficient earth.

Options are to modify one of the bolts that you know it has a solid earth. I have cleaned a small patch on the chassis near an existing hole and bolted a piece of high potential cable to the hole and then to one of the protruding body bolts, thus creating a solid earth.

300Tdi's were particularly known for corroding between the chassis and the main earth tab causing all sorts of odd instrument readings. Used to clean, refit and corrosion proof those as a matter of cause. On the short chassis of a 90 it then becomes quite easy sharing that same battery earth tab with an extension to one of the rear body bolts or even a new bespoke earth fitting for the rear of the car.

Cheers,

Lou