Locking with the bonnet up

[wbowner]

Hi
Sorry if this is a dumb one but is it possible to lock my D4 while the bonnet is up

Richard

[discojools]

I dont think so...

[LRD414]

I haven't tried this method but refer to this link from Disco4 forum.
The first step to testing for current drains is to short the bonnet switch and then let vehicle go to sleep or lock the vehicle.

DISCO4.COM - View topic - Robbie's Guide For Battery & Quiescent Drain Testing (http://www.disco4.com/forum/post1366423.html)

Refer to Step 2.

Cheers,
Scott

[wombathole]

It's possible and easy. I disconnected the bonnet switch ( underneath the drivers side bonnet catch), shorted it out with a paper clip, and wrapped it in a latex glove and gaffer tape. Allows the car to lock with bonnet up and stops the alarm going off if / when the switch gets gunked up with dirt.

[wbowner]

Not sure I want to do that😁

I am charging my battery and would like to able to lock it up.

I suppose I could charge the white plug or put lead through through the grill


Richard

[RobA]

The short answer is no without great effort most of which is a waste of time if the car is in a secure garage.

Rob

[scarry]

Bridge out the bonnet switch is the only way,very easy to do.

The battery drain is at it's minimum when the vehicle is locked up,according to the dealer.

[JamesH]

Have you considered buying or making a 12s pin converter and charging from the tow unit?I live in a block of units and that's what I do. The cord is long enough that I can lock the charge unit in the back as well.

[Stuart02]

I just pop the charger in the engine bay and shut the bonnet... No harm no foul?

[wombathole]

Another possible silly question. Why are you all charging your batteries whilst at home? Are you referring to your primary or secondary? I never need to charge mine other than through the alternator whilst driving.

[Barryp]

Short trips and infrequent use are the main reasons I guess.
Alternator doesn't keep up with usage.
Regards
Barry

[LGM]

I don't need to open the bonnet. I put my D4 batteries (x2) on charge about once every 3 to 4 months just to be sure. I don't use the connections under the bonnet but rather charge via the andersen plug at the rear of the vehicle which is part of my Traxide dual battery system.

The D4 remains locked up while the battery charging takes place. As the Meercat says 'Simples':angel:

[Fluids]

I just pop the charger in the engine bay and shut the bonnet... No harm no foul?

That's all I do.

Simples ! :)

Sent from my iPad using Braille

[BMKal]

I don't need to open the bonnet. I put my D4 batteries (x2) on charge about once every 3 to 4 months just to be sure. I don't use the connections under the bonnet but rather charge via the andersen plug at the rear of the vehicle which is part of my Traxide dual battery system.

The D4 remains locked up while the battery charging takes place. As the Meercat says 'Simples':angel:

Same here. ;)

And when we're camping out with fridge running etc - a portable fold-out solar panel with its own controller is plugged into the same Anderson plug to keep up with consumption.

I often run three batteries when travelling / camping. As well as the charging battery and the Optima yellow top under the bonnet as part of the Traxide DBS, there's an Engel battery pack in behind the drawers / fridge that has various switched outlets / gauge etc. This battery pack is also connected to the Traxide DBS. Plugging in via the rear external Anderson plug overnight occasionally brings all three batteries up to full charge.

Works for me. :D

[wbowner]

The reason I want to charge at home is the car will be left idle for a few weeks.

I have connected the charger to a weekly timer so that the charger will kick in once a week.

A point made previously about not locking the car up is that it will use more charge.

So if I leave my car with bonnet up and not on charge will it use significant battery charge ?

I have found that after leaving my car for a couple of weeks I got the low battery warning. I have a traxide dual battery set up so did not expect this.

As mentioned you can charge the aux battery via the traxide Anderson plug and you can charge the main battery via the white round plug
Is one approach better than the other ?

Richard

[RHS58]

Hi Richard
I think either way would work.
I charge via the rear anderson plug that's part of the Traxide DBS.
I do have a plug that's compatible with the white round socket at the rear - still in its original packaging unopened. If you want it, PM me your address and I'll send it to you. For free - but only because you're a fellow D4 and AOR owner.
Cheers
Ron

[LRD414]

As mentioned you can charge the aux battery via the traxide Anderson plug and you can charge the main battery via the white round plug

I understood that the Traxide kit rear Anderson plug will charge both the cranking and aux batteries due to the way the batteries are connected. Happy to stand corrected on this if I'm wrong. Tim will confirm.

Cheers,
Scott

[wbowner]

Hi Richard
I think either way would work.
I charge via the rear anderson plug that's part of the Traxide DBS.
I do have a plug that's compatible with the white round socket at the rear - still in its original packaging unopened. If you want it, PM me your address and I'll send it to you. For free - but only because you're a fellow D4 and AOR owner.
Cheers
Ron
Ron
Many thanks for the offer but I already have one.

I have used it to charge the car but ended up connecting the CTek connectors to battery which makes charging very easy.

So I have 3 options.

I will try the Anderson plug approach next.

I had not picked up by on you being Ron from AOR, a good mob of people there

Thanks again,

Richard

[wbowner]

I understood that the Traxide kit rear Anderson plug will charge both the cranking and aux batteries due to the way the batteries are connected. Happy to stand corrected on this if I'm wrong. Tim will confirm.

Cheers,
Scott

Scott
That is my understanding as well, I just didn't phrase it well above.

I meant to say charge both via the Anderson plug, like wise if you use the white plug you are charging both but this time via the main battery. All due to traxide connections.

However I think I have read that if the batteries got flat then this may not work, but will leave to Tim to explain.

Richard

[scarry]

Scott
That is my understanding as well, I just didn't phrase it well above.

I meant to say charge both via the Anderson plug, like wise if you use the white plug you are charging both but this time via the main battery. All due to traxide connections.

However I think I have read that if the batteries got flat then this may not work, but will leave to Tim to explain.

Richard

If the Anderson plug is wired to the auxillary battery in normal circumstances you will be charging both batteries.

But if the main battery voltage is around 12v or lower and the traxide relay has dropped out,you will be charging the auxiliary battery only.
In this case the only way to charge the main battery would be through the main battery terminals,or possibly through the white plug.

I have the Cteck plug permanently wired to the main battery,therefore both batteries are charged.If the traxide relay has dropped out,it doesn't take long before it comes in,as it senses the voltage on the main battery only.

[wbowner]

If the Anderson plug is wired to the auxillary battery in normal circumstances you will be charging both batteries.

But if the main battery voltage is around 12v or lower and the traxide relay has dropped out,you will be charging the auxiliary battery only.
In this case the only way to charge the main battery would be through the main battery terminals,or possibly through the white plug.

I have the Cteck plug permanently wired to the main battery,therefore both batteries are charged.If the traxide relay has dropped out,it doesn't take long before it comes in,as it senses the voltage on the main battery only.

I have the CTek leads permanently connected as well, why I started with the bonnet up thread but there seems a few other options.

I supposed based on what you pointed out, charging via the white plug would be a better option that the Anderson plug.

Richard

[sniegy]

**** easy. Just open the bonnet & lock down the latch on the drivers side as this is the one that has the micro switch attached. No taking anything apart & all you need is a screwdriver. (It helps if you have something like screwdriver that has a right angle bend on it)

Cheers :)

[LRD414]

**** easy. Just open the bonnet & lock down the latch on the drivers side as this is the one that has the micro switch attached. No taking anything apart & all you need is a screwdriver. (It helps if you have something like screwdriver that has a right angle bend on it)



Cheers :)


Do you mean loosen it a bit and then tighten it in the locked down position closing the switch?

Cheers,
Scott

[scarry]

**** easy. Just open the bonnet & lock down the latch on the drivers side as this is the one that has the micro switch attached. No taking anything apart & all you need is a screwdriver. (It helps if you have something like screwdriver that has a right angle bend on it)

Cheers :)

And with the bonnet open,not much chance the vehicle will be driven off accidently.:)

[sniegy]

Hey Scott,
Do nothing apart from let the tool you use basically be the Bonnet & close the latch. If you watch the bonnet enter the latch you will see it strike the lock over mechanism, it then continues down to push against the micro switch.
So basically you just push down the latch until it locks. To test if it is done, look to see where the latch position is & then release the latch from the passenger side, It will go Clunk. Re lock & start vehicle & you won't get a message on the dash if it is done right.

Cheers

[wbowner]

Will leaving the bonnet open run down the battery if not on a charger

Sounds a silly question but based on some previous comments I would not be surprised.


Richard

[Stuart02]

Do I remember something about the white plug being much lower current than the 50A anderson? Not that it matters for trickle charging

Sent from my C6903 using AULRO mobile app

[wbowner]

😒
I set my timer up to run Saturday to Sunday with the charger attached with the bonnet up

I wanted to check this morning to see if leaving the bonnet up does cause any issues

Well as it turned out I stuffed my timer settings up.

It did start at the right time and stop at the right time but while first setting it up I set up another timer block which started again at midnight and not end.

Any way the batteries are fully charged now 😊

I will try again a bit later

Richard

[LRD414]

Do I remember something about the white plug being much lower current than the 50A anderson? Not that it matters for trickle charging

Yep, this thread (link below) ... later models only have 15A fuse, which as you say, should be ok for most charging situations.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/217417-power-rear-trailer-socket-amps.html

Regards,
Scott