Markus1
25th November 2018, 09:15 AM
G'day
Im looking to install a Traxide kit in my D3 petrol to support a 60L waeco living in the back. The fridge will be used for camping only. I noticed lots of people using a 55AH optima yellowtop under the bonnet and via the traxide kit you end up with extra capacity due to utilising the cranking battery capacity somewhat.
Well I only have room for a single optima on the drivers side (nothing on the passenger side unfortunately - maybe the diesels are different???) but what I noticed is that the cranking battery is only 60AH (estimated from RC =136).
Is this going to be sufficient to run the fridge if I were to be driving at least a short trip every couple of days? I can alternatively put a larger AGM in the rear next to the fridge but I've read that might charge slowly compared to the Optima under the bonnet. Which way to go?
If i conservatively work on both batteries sitting at 90% then ive got say 45AH from the Optima to spend, and say 25AH from the crank battery to spend. Thats only 70AH in total, Ahhh! Seems really small to me but then I have no idea about realistic charge rates from the alternator to the Optima under the bonnet v.s. a lesser species larger AGM in the rear. If it charges back up enough in a short drive then i'm laughing. Unfortunately my previous experience charging non AGM deep cycles from the alternator I was never impressed by the charge rates but maybe thats because I dont understand better quality AGM's enough.
I think this one is another non brainer from all accounts. i.e. Get the single Optima and the Traxide kit and supplement with a small solar panel to help out. I do have a 100AH non-AGM in the camper that only runs lights so that can be used as a backup should the vehicle setup get overly drained, but dont want to have to rely on doing that.
What's others experience been? Cheers, Mark
Im looking to install a Traxide kit in my D3 petrol to support a 60L waeco living in the back. The fridge will be used for camping only. I noticed lots of people using a 55AH optima yellowtop under the bonnet and via the traxide kit you end up with extra capacity due to utilising the cranking battery capacity somewhat.
Well I only have room for a single optima on the drivers side (nothing on the passenger side unfortunately - maybe the diesels are different???) but what I noticed is that the cranking battery is only 60AH (estimated from RC =136).
Is this going to be sufficient to run the fridge if I were to be driving at least a short trip every couple of days? I can alternatively put a larger AGM in the rear next to the fridge but I've read that might charge slowly compared to the Optima under the bonnet. Which way to go?
If i conservatively work on both batteries sitting at 90% then ive got say 45AH from the Optima to spend, and say 25AH from the crank battery to spend. Thats only 70AH in total, Ahhh! Seems really small to me but then I have no idea about realistic charge rates from the alternator to the Optima under the bonnet v.s. a lesser species larger AGM in the rear. If it charges back up enough in a short drive then i'm laughing. Unfortunately my previous experience charging non AGM deep cycles from the alternator I was never impressed by the charge rates but maybe thats because I dont understand better quality AGM's enough.
I think this one is another non brainer from all accounts. i.e. Get the single Optima and the Traxide kit and supplement with a small solar panel to help out. I do have a 100AH non-AGM in the camper that only runs lights so that can be used as a backup should the vehicle setup get overly drained, but dont want to have to rely on doing that.
What's others experience been? Cheers, Mark