Modern Defender - do you need to get a new battery tray for Traxide DBS installation

[JamesH]

Hi All

I'm not experienced in new Defenders, my old Tdi we got two cranking batteries under the front seat by swearing and stuffing around.

I'm gathering from the search tool here that with the Puma it's not that "straightforward". I'm asking on behalf of a mate with a 2015 110 wagon. Do I need to order one of Tim's kits and a Piranha tray or is it just the preferred method and you can squeeze and Optima under the seat with Tim's kit without the tray upgrade?

Thanks for any advice

James

[alien]

I managed to get 2 batteries under the passenger seat on a Puma.
There is a tray available for this mod but I just did my own thing.

[JamesH]

I managed to get 2 batteries under the passenger seat on a Puma.
There is a tray available for this mod but I just did my own thing.

Thanks for that. I hoped this would be the case. Do you have any tips or rookie error warnings you can remember? We'll be using a sparky experienced in Land Rovers but any advice to pass on would be gratefully received. Eg did you need to change the orientation/position of the starting battery?

J

[jon3950]

I fitted a Piranha tray and a D34 yellow top in battery box. The tray took ages to arrive so while I was waiting for it I sat the second battery next to the starting battery and held it in with some straps. It felt more secure than with tray. There's a bit of info in my build thread:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/236135-alasdair-my16-keswick-110-a-5.html#post2544853

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/236135-alasdair-my16-keswick-110-a-5.html#post2545776

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/236135-alasdair-my16-keswick-110-a-8.html#post2613802

Cheers,
Jon

[DieselDan]

I too used Tim's kit and a piranha tray. I did consider making my own tray, but that soon gave way to convenience and lack of time (read too lazy [bigsmile])

The main issue with the puma seat box compared to previous Defenders is that the floor where the battery sits isn't flat, it has a lip in it, so you either need to cut the lip out and put new metal in, or build a new 'false' floor up to the height of the lip. The piranha tray does this. This means no cutting/shutting of metal, but does leave you a bit short on battery options that will fit in the height available.

There are a couple of threads which cover the DIY of both options, try these two:

Riddle me this Puma owners. (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/137320-riddle-me-puma-owners.html)

Dual Batteries (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/125480-dual-batteries.html)

[ATH]

Hi James.
I've 2 batteries under the seat as have many others and they're both in sideways. A pig to squeeze them in but they do just fit and it does away with having have a tray to overcome the shape of the bottom of the tray.
Cheers.
AlanH.