Defender TD5 dual battery installations

[uhuforrest]

G'Day All,
I am currently helping a couple of mates fit dual batteries to their TD5's. One is a 110 and the other a 130 dual cab. The 110 wants to remotely install the second battery while the 130 wants both under the passengers seat.
I have convinced both to use a Redarc isolator.

Question is where is the best place to run the wiring and how in the 110? Any pics of installations would be most useful.

Also, can you fit 2 of the original batteries under the seat, ('04 model) 130. Owner wants to use two of the original 110AH batteries if possible.

Any help appreciated
:?:

[hiline]

drivesafe is the man your after https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ :wink:

get intouch with him

[weeds]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Also, can you fit 2 of the original batteries under the seat, ('04 model) 130. Owner wants to use two of the original 110AH batteries if possible. [/b][/quote]
i have a 110 and you can fit another battery the same size as the start, i relocated mine to the rear and can confirm its a tight fit. i'm not sure about using two deep cycles as the start battery should not be a deep cycle. the orginal battery should be a start battery and rated in CCA's


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Question is where is the best place to run the wiring and how in the 110? Any pics of installations would be most useful.[/b][/quote]
i have installed 2 x aux deep cycle batteries into the cargo area of my 110, yep they are lead acid, yep they are not sealed and yep they should not be there but the defender has pleanty of natural ventilation and the setup suits me well, i was going to upgrade to sealed agm batteries but due to there cost and not doing enough touring i have put on hold. my isolation switch is installed on the centre console so i have run battery cable out the back of the console across the water tank which is installed in the rear foot to the cargo area, i was going the run the cables underneath the car but was not sure if the setup was going to be a long or short term install, still undecided

a mate of mine was not happy with 120Ah deep cycle aux he installed as it dropped a cell after about 18 months, i think it cost him $200+, he has now installed 2 x centery performance battery which are a better constructed/heavier duty start type battery, if they perform well at easter for six days i will used them as well

hth

[Frenchie]

Here's a pic of mine (under the seat).

Original battery on the left, Exide Extreme on the right, Redarc far right.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~lisajs68/other_pics/Batteries.JPG

[uhuforrest]

G'Day All,

Thanks for the replies and the pic, most helpful.

The systems we have seen professionally installed all turned the batteries around, wondered if this was a convenience thing. Now that I have seen a pic I gather it is. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Looks like we will copy this installation - much appreciated

As for the 110AH battery, I think they are "hybrid" in that they are 700CCA and 110AH, look to be very good batteries, if a little expensive at $315, price quoted from dealer

:cry:

[DEFENDERZOOK]

<span style="color:blue">mine run in the original direction......i just put the second one next to it.....

just to make your decision harder.......</span>

[weeds]

what brand and model is the battery

[uhuforrest]

The info on the battery is:

Delphi Freedom BCI 800
110AH, RC 195

The plan is to leave the original where it is and fit the second, identical, battery next to it, with the Redarc bolted to the back of the box.

We are then looking at running some cable to a panel in the tray which will have plugs / switches to suit the accessories he has, eg, fridge, lights, compressor, etc.

[drivesafe]

Hi uhuforrest, just out of curiosity, what’s the reason for using the Redarc. :?:

Cheers.

[uhuforrest]

G'Day Drivesafe,

Redarc for a couple of reasons

*Mate runs an 80 litre trailblaza fridge so wanted to keep batteries separate unless he decides to use both, (switch on dash)

*Never read of a failure, as they are both under the seat, wanted a set-and-forget system

*Cheaper than TJM, Pirahna etc.

*If start battery dies can flick switch and join together

*Ensures starter battery always has enough oomph to start vehicle

Any particular reason for asking??

[drivesafe]

Hi uhuforrest, you have already got your set up running so I’m not trying to sell you one of mine, it just that as you have a limited space, as with all the fenders, Redarcs and pirahana, TJM, ARB and the rest are really no more than a fancy solenoid that many people simply connect to the ignition.

They all cut in once the vehicle voltage is up to where it is charging but they also cut out almost as soon as the ignition is turned off.

The point I am getting at is that the main battery has heaps of power that could be used to dramatically extend the operating time of your auxiliary battery while still leaving the main battery with enough to start the vehicle a number of times.

If you have enough stored capacity in your auxiliary battery then they work a treat.

Also and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe your unit is rated a 100 amps and if so this is way to small the use it for bridging batteries to start vehicles. This is why Battery Switches start at 250 amps and go up and TJM and ARB are rated at 250 amps.

Anyway thanks for the reply.

Cheers.

[uhuforrest]

G'Day Drivesafe,

Yep the isolator only rated at 100amps.

I have mine connected with 200amp welding cable. I have started the vehicle with one battery only, and with both connected. There is a definite change in the outpup of the starter with both connected, you don't have to measure it, you can hear it.

After trying this I am quite happy with the set-up and the extra kick I get from both batteries, and as I said will be fitting a three way switch on the dash so both batteries can be used to run the fridge if need be, the isolator is as much insurance in case he forgets to check the system as anything else.

Regards

uhuforrest

[drivesafe]

Hi uhuforrest, starting off two fully charged batteries is fine because you are shearing the load and only about half the current is coming through the isolator, but the problem with having too low a current rated contacts is when you try to start the vehicle when the main battery is flat and you now not only have to supply the starter motor with heaps of current, you will most likely have additional current flowing to the flat battery at the same time and this is why 250 amp contacts are needed.

BTW check and see if the Redarc has a surge current rating for a given time period, if so this may be high enough and long enough to allow you to safely start your vehicle. If there is no surge tolerance, then you are far better off adding a battery switch to cover you if ever you need jump start your vehicle off the second battery.

Cheers.