Optima D34 Yellow top or SSB DryCell HVT-50D AGM

[rdenyer]

I have just purchased two DT90 from Traxide (thanks Tim, great service). One for me, one for my son
Was already to start shopping around for the best price for Optima Yellow top, but been have seen a few reports that they may not be as good as they used to be?

A couple of people suggest that the SSB DryCell HVT-50D AGM could be an option.
Anyone got any feedback?

Will be going in to D3, mainly for powering small fridge and camp lights, both D3 are daily drivers

Any thoughts?

[Tombie]

Working like a charm!

If you’re fitting in the factory box you’ll need to make a different hold down bracket (ally angle) as the factory unit won’t fit over it properly.

Other than that they’re going strong.

[Milton477]

I have recently replaced one of my 2 Optimas with a HVT 50 because the top of the 3 year old Optma is crinkle cut. My second Optima is around 2 years old & is going the same way. No more Optima for me.

[Milton477]

That was on your advice Tombie. Welcome back.

[kelvo]

I’m running the SSB in one of Tims battery trays (USI-160 kit). It fits this without any modifications. I’ve only had it for about eight months, but have had no issues.

I ran a HVT-70D in my D2, it did need to be replaced under warranty at about 35 months as it had dropped to under 80% capacity. Warranty replacement was painless at my local dealer (Goodchilds in Perth).

I also have a HVT-86D in my camper trailer, this has had no issues and would be about 4 years old now.

[John_D4]

My local battery guy had nothing good to say about optimas being used as a cycling battery. He sold me a red top as a cranking battery wouldn’t sell me one as a cycling. I ended up buying a ssb dry cell instead. No issues. Does sit about 1cm taller than the optimas tho.

[rdenyer]

Can anyone who has recently purchased the recommend the best place to purchase the SSB DryCell HVT-50D AGM.

Searching the inter web seems to indicate online is the way to go ?

Regards,
Richard

[Tombie]

eBay [emoji41]

[Milton477]

I tried batteriesdirect but cancelled the order after 6 weeks of waiting. Bought mine locally in Brisbane albeit for a bit more than the cost of the online battery.

[DiscoJeffster]

SSB HVT-50D AGM ordered as my second battery. Will be use primarily as primary battery support and occasional trips to power an in-car fridge. I didn't risk an Optima based on feedback.

[John_D4]

Interesting, I was talking to Tim from Traxide about this a couple of months ago. For a 2nd battery in my D4 he strongly suggested an Optima over another sort of battery. The reason was lengthy and difficult for me to relay to others. He quoted charge time of the optima being faster than the charge time of the SSB.

[Eevo]

i used to be a big Optima supporter but their quality has gone down and they are no longer worth their premium price.
I have some SSB lithium in my motorbikes and no issues.

[DiscoJeffster]

Interesting, I was talking to Tim from Traxide about this a couple of months ago. For a 2nd battery in my D4 he strongly suggested an Optima over another sort of battery. The reason was lengthy and difficult for me to relay to others. He quoted charge time of the optima being faster than the charge time of the SSB.

Yep, however, I do full day drives all the time with my camper, and I don’t trust Optima reliability anymore. The SSB has a good charge rate either way and will be charged fully with my typical driving style.

[drivesafe]

Interesting, I was talking to Tim from Traxide about this a couple of months ago. For a 2nd battery in my D4 he strongly suggested an Optima over another sort of battery. The reason was lengthy and difficult for me to relay to others. He quoted charge time of the optima being faster than the charge time of the SSB.
Hi John, I would have close to 5,000 D3s, D4s and RRSs with my kits in them, worldwide,.


99% of these vehicle have an Optima D34 Yellowtop battery as the auxiliary battery.


While there have been a number of reports regarding failures of the Optima, I have only had about 5 or so customers report any problems with their Optimas.


This is not sufficient evidence to say there is not a problem, I am just not seeing one.


BUT, I am about to buy both a new Optima D34 ( my last one just got sold with my RR ) and an SSB HVT 50D and over the next few months I will test and compare each one in different conditions and will post up what I find.


NOTE these tests will have no bearing on the likely longevity of either battery.

[John_D4]

Thanks Tim. That’d be great

[Geedublya]

I have SSB HVT-50 in my RRS and had an Optima in my previous D4 both with Traxide controllers.
With the same Engel fridge in both I’m definitely getting a shorter run time with the SSB.
The difference may be the start battery as I’m unsure how old the RRS battery is. It seems to me that the Optima ran the fridge longer once the Traxide switched over but I didn’t actually record the time on my D4.
I’m tempted to buy an Optima to test. If I do I’ll report back.

[Tombie]

Or variation could be the ambient temp in the vehicle, or the positioning of the fridge vents, or the amount of food etc in the fridge, or the temperature that day.
Or the type drives you’ve been doing impacting on Primary battery charge.

Lots and lots of variables that need to be checked when comparing.

[RHS58]

My Mexican Optima D34 auxiliary gave up this week, after 6 years of service in the D4 Traxide DBS.
A replacement D34 is priced from $308 (up to $420 depending where one shops ) vs SSB HVT50D priced from around $220 and up.
So a difference of $88 spread over 6 years, or about $15 per year, if a SSB lasts 6 years.
Based on my experience, I’ve gone with another Optima, as it’s still what Tim recommends with his system.
Time will tell, I guess.

[manic]

One website shows the 60ah SSB max charge rate as 16.8 amps. That must be recommended not actual - right?

I have the 100AH SSB AGM,. Max c-rate is around the same at 0.294.... that's near enough 30 amps in this case. It's charged in isolation by a dedicated 20 amp DCDC charger. Have had it in a few years now - it's still holding the Ah.

Surprised to hear people bemoan DCDC for slower charge rates and then see them select a battery that has a max charge rate of 16.8 amps! I can only assume that these batteries accept higher amps from the alternator at expense of reduced cycles? Or is this the true limit of the battery from internal resistance?

[Tombie]

One website shows the 60ah SSB max charge rate as 16.8 amps. That must be recommended not actual - right?

I have the 100AH SSB AGM,. Max c-rate is around the same at 0.294.... that's near enough 30 amps in this case. It's charged in isolation by a dedicated 20 amp DCDC charger. Have had it in a few years now - it's still holding the Ah.

Surprised to hear people bemoan DCDC for slower charge rates and then see them select a battery that has a max charge rate of 16.8 amps! I can only assume that these batteries accept higher amps from the alternator at expense of reduced cycles? Or is this the true limit of the battery from internal resistance?

Inrush is much higher as per their documentation. The max charge rate is recommended rate on a stand alone charger.

SSB 60ah initial charge rate is well over 60a [emoji106]

[Turtle60]

Have been following this thread and noticed these. Lithiumax 700CCA RESTART Lithium Race & Road Car 4WD Boat Battery inc Volt LCD | eBay (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0'mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2 F233379795229)

They claim an under bonnet starting capable lithium Battery. Three of these can fit in the optima space to give a significant storage upgrade albeit at a hefty cost but a big weight saving. They claim charging from alternator. Just one seems to outdo Optima capacity. The height is 2cm lower than optima as well.

First time I’ve been aware of underbonnet replacement start battery. There are bigger ones to replace your start battery as well.

So what am I missing?

[DiscoJeffster]

Have been following this thread and noticed these. Lithiumax 700CCA RESTART Lithium Race & Road Car 4WD Boat Battery inc Volt LCD | eBay (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0'mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2 F233379795229)

They claim an under bonnet starting capable lithium Battery. Three of these can fit in the optima space to give a significant storage upgrade albeit at a hefty cost but a big weight saving. They claim charging from alternator. Just one seems to outdo Optima capacity. The height is 2cm lower than optima as well.

First time I’ve been aware of underbonnet replacement start battery. There are bigger ones to replace your start battery as well.

So what am I missing?

Lol. Funniest.
So EBay man claims 20th generation. Serious. New generation a week?

Claims under bonnet. For how long? For the warranty period? Does the warranty replacement for under bonnet use gain a new warranty period after replacement or retain the existing period?

Crock

[Tombie]

Lol. Funniest.
So EBay man claims 20th generation. Serious. New generation a week?

Claims under bonnet. For how long? For the warranty period? Does the warranty replacement for under bonnet use gain a new warranty period after replacement or retain the existing period?

Crock

Generation in this context is version / model.

Designed in Australia and get excellent reviews.
Unsure how the underbonnet would rate.

[DiscoJeffster]

Generation in this context is version / model.

Designed in Australia and get excellent reviews.
Unsure how the underbonnet would rate.

Yeah I get it’s their iterations. I work in software to fourth level 1.4.1.14. It’s also serious marketing play.

Let someone else test and report IMO

[manic]

I work in software to fourth level 1.4.1.14.


Ouch, sounds painful!

With those batteries, they probably do a version increment when the RRP changes!

[DiscoDB]

Have been following this thread and noticed these. Lithiumax 700CCA RESTART Lithium Race & Road Car 4WD Boat Battery inc Volt LCD | eBay (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0'mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2 F233379795229)

They claim an under bonnet starting capable lithium Battery. Three of these can fit in the optima space to give a significant storage upgrade albeit at a hefty cost but a big weight saving. They claim charging from alternator. Just one seems to outdo Optima capacity. The height is 2cm lower than optima as well.

First time I’ve been aware of underbonnet replacement start battery. There are bigger ones to replace your start battery as well.

So what am I missing?

Good find - great to learn about Australian companies investing in developing new products.

Their primary target seems to be for motor sport but you can see lots of potential beyond this.

[CraigE]

I would go the SSB, I currently have 4 of them, but large ones 1000CCA and 130AH each. 2 in the Defender, 1 in the D2 and 1 in the Caravan. For the price best I have used. I have been getting them for around $220 but get a discount. My plan is to put one of these in the D4 as a cranking battery and 2 of the smaller ones with a Traxide triple battery system when funds allow. Would never have an Optima of any sort again.

[CraigE]

Tim,
add me but not with your kit. Had an Optima Blue Top, from day one played up and will never ever have an Optima again. Their warranty was a joke. I have been running SSBs HVT-86Ds, now in the Defender for over 3 years, D2 for 2 years and Caravan for over 2 years and they have not missed a beat. I also got these for just over half the price of an Optima blue top with only 60AH. They will be going in the D4 when budget permits with one of your triple systems. D2 is under the bonnet and no issues with heat so far. But hey for around $220 if I get 3 years out of them I will be happy. Optima Blue Top completely failed after 13 months.
Cheers
Craig

Hi John, I would have close to 5,000 D3s, D4s and RRSs with my kits in them, worldwide,.


99% of these vehicle have an Optima D34 Yellowtop battery as the auxiliary battery.


While there have been a number of reports regarding failures of the Optima, I have only had about 5 or so customers report any problems with their Optimas.


This is not sufficient evidence to say there is not a problem, I am just not seeing one.


BUT, I am about to buy both a new Optima D34 ( my last one just got sold with my RR ) and an SSB HVT 50D and over the next few months I will test and compare each one in different conditions and will post up what I find.


NOTE these tests will have no bearing on the likely longevity of either battery.

[101RRS]

Ok - gotta ask this - SSB (Super Start Batteries) is just a brand name - what is so special about their batteries?

[DiscoJeffster]

Ok - gotta ask this - SSB (Super Start Batteries) is just a brand name - what is so special about their batteries?

Price and capability. They seem reliable based on experience and well priced compared to many

[CraigE]

As said price and capability. As said I bought the big buggers at 1000CCA and 130AH for around $220 ea, half the price of most others including a 6AH Optima at $400 plus.

Ok - gotta ask this - SSB (Super Start Batteries) is just a brand name - what is so special about their batteries?

[drivesafe]

So I was planning on doing a Charge/Discharge comparison between an Optima D34 55Ah Yellowtop and an SSB HVT-50D 60Ah battery. Both on a bench top and in a vehicle ( the test vehicle will be a 2017 Tiguan ).

A little over a week ago I bought a “new” Optima and as I do with all new batteries, I gave it an initial charge with a Sterling battery charger.

Just before charging the Optima, I measured the voltage and got a reading of 12.58v, and this was a like strange as I would have expected to see around 12.75v or higher.

Anyway, I charged the battery and it became clear why a low initial voltage. The battery took 36 amperes to fully charge.

With any new battery, being down 10%, to no more than 30%is not unusual, but this battery was down around 60%, and it just got worse.

I have now carried out a number of charge discharge cycles, trying to recover the battery, and while it will fully charge and hold the charge, it has a maximum capacity of just 75%.

The Optima was obviously FLAT when I picked it up.

NOT HAPPY JAN, and it goes back tomorrow for a replacement.

The SSB arrived on Friday and I gave it an initial charge.

It took 16.2 amperes, which is roughly 25% and acceptable.

I have only carried out one discharge cycle, and this was done after the battery was left to settle overnight.

A 2.1A load was applied to the battery and the load was disconnected by a Low Voltage Cut-Out unit, set at 12.0v.

The SSB returned a total discharge of 36.2Ah.

Not bad at all.

[DiscoJeffster]

I have to say, the irony that the Optima you got was a dud isn’t lost on anyone here [emoji23]

[101RRS]

I have to say, the irony that the Optima you got was a dud isn’t lost on anyone here [emoji23]

Yes I was thinking of getting an Optima for my RRS and one to run the 12v side of my 24v 101, but in view of all the negative experiences and given their cost I am not going to risk it.

Garry

[RHS58]

Bad luck, Tim?
The optima I purchased and installed a week and a half ago was at 12.75, and is still going fine.
Maybe you got an old one?
Have kept my receipt just in case.

[drivesafe]

Maybe you got an old one?
This is exactly what I suspect.

They only had one on the shelf at the time.

[INter674]

Son just bought another Optima Blue top...against all advice and after failures with these previously..but he got a good deal and it suits his tray and wiring set up.

Of interest was the manufacture date on ones he looked at...some well over 12 months past But he got one with under 6 months since manufacture in Mex and was happy with that. Paid a little over 300..some customer restitution involved there given past issues with 5...yes 5 of these across 3 trucks failing prematurely in the past ie just going flat..not charging..terminal issues..one with a defective case.

See how we go with this one.

So...pay attention to the date of manufacture😎

[drivesafe]

Well the Optima was returned today, but they didn’t have another one in stock and just gave me a refund.

While I was going to get one somewhere else, I have now decided to hold off and just concentrate on testing the SSB.

I have completed the first full recharge cycle and the battery in now part way through a slow discharge cycle, using a 2.1A load. I will be discharging it down to around 11.00v

I started discharging the battery early this morning, so I should have the first results sometime tomorrow afternoon.

[BradC]

I have completed the first full recharge cycle and the battery in now part way through a slow discharge cycle, using a 2.1A load. I will be discharging it down to around 11.00v

Out of morbid interest, what do you use for your load test?

[John_D4]

And...what were the results??

[drivesafe]

And...what were the results??
If it stops raining, I'll be able to go down to the workshop and check.

That looks like being a few hours away.

[drivesafe]

13/02/20 First test results for the SSB HVT-50D, a 60Ah AGM.


After fully charging the SSB on the 09/02/20 and letting the battery settle overnight, on the 10/02/20, a 2.1A amp load was applied.


157997



The battery was discharged down to 10.69v ( around 2% SoC ) and supplied a total of 68 amperes ( 68Ah ).


157998


PLEASE NOTE, this is a 60Ah battery based on a C20 rating ( 3 amp discharge load ) but the test was conducted at a ( roughly ) C30 rating.


This is why the total discharge ampere hours was higher than the battery’s 60Ah rating.


I will continue to conduct a number of discharge tests using the 2.1 amp load and then will conduct a C20 ( 3 amp load ) test.

[Narangga]

I installed my HVT-50D this morning. $280 landed Darwin.

[Dagilmo]

I installed my HVT-50D this morning. $280 landed Darwin.

That seems a good price. Just priced from Goodchilds in Perth $242.00 pick up.

[Narangga]

That seems a good price. Just priced from Goodchilds in Perth $242.00 pick up.

Online order (not Ebay) of $236 plus $41 freight (less that a week with a courier) plus $8.13 freight insurance (as recommended by the seller). For most things coming to Darwin, freight is the killer.

[John_D4]

I’ve been out of internet for a few weeks now. What was the result of the SSB vs Optima tests?

[Eevo]

I’ve been out of internet for a few weeks now. What was the result of the SSB vs Optima tests?
a lot of electrons were inconvenienced.

[John_D4]

a lot of electrons were inconvenienced.

Bummer. That’s inconvenient

[RHS58]

a lot of electrons were inconvenienced.

Negative outcome.

[Plane Fixer]

Are you positive about that?

[John_D4]

Are you positive about that?

Negative. Maybe it’s time to amp things up

[Eevo]

Negative. Maybe it’s time to amp things up

too much resistance.

[BradC]

too much resistance.

That's no way to conduct yourself.

[Plane Fixer]

Too much frivolity, I will just go ohm.

[RHS58]

Are you positive about that?

A proton would be positive.

[John_D4]

When I was told how electricity is measured and I was like Watt!

[DiscoJeffster]

In all seriousness though, Tim@Drivesafe was going to report the outcome of test 2 a while ago, but so far nothing. Tim, have the results left you speechless? Lol

[Tombie]

In all seriousness though, Tim@Drivesafe was going to report the outcome of test 2 a while ago, but so far nothing. Tim, have the results left you speechless? Lol

The Bloke is sick as hell at the moment.

[DiscoJeffster]

The Bloke is sick as hell at the moment.

Oh that’s not good news at all[emoji22]. Sorry Tim, I hope you’re feeling better soon.

[CraigE]

The Bloke is sick as hell at the moment.
I will hold off ringing him then as I am going to get one of his triple battery setup. If its anything serious PM me Mike and I will hold off.
Cheers
Craig

[drivesafe]

Hi folks and sorry for taking so long to reply but I am still trying to shake this flu.


Unfortunately one of the symptoms of this flu is a severe lack of concentration and this has resulted in the forced termination of the SSB test.


When testing any form of lead acid battery, I use a low voltage cut-out unit ( modified ABG-25 ) to set the exact discharge level I want to take the battery down to and to protect the battery being tested from being over discharged.


When testing my brand of lithium batteries, I deliberately delete the low voltage cut-out unit so I can test the effectiveness of the lithium battery’s BMS.


While down with the flu, and not firing on all cylinders, I inadvertently discharge tested the SSB with out applying the low voltage cut-out unit to set the limit of the discharge.


Next day, when I checked the monitor, the battery had been discharged down to 1.79v, an absolute no-no for any lead acid battery.


The first recharge after the stuff up shows a 30% loss in capacity and while I have carried out a number of different types charge/discharge cycles, to try to recover the lost capacity, the battery is now permanently down by about 20% and as such, is now useless for my tests.


Some good results and possibly good news, is that prior to my stuff up, I did manage quite a few charge/discharge cycles and the battery performed quite well.


While the manufacturer/supplier recommends a discharge voltage no lower than 10.8v, I have found that there is VERY LITTLE additional usable capacity to be gained by discharging the battery below 11.6v.


There was less than 2% more energy available when discharging bellow 11.6v and by limiting the the discharge to no less that 11.6v should help extend the battery’s overall lifespan while still supplying very good usable capacity.


I contacted the supplier to see if they could give me any ideas as to whether I could recover the lost capacity and explained what I had done, and they want the battery returned as they are a bit surprised that a single over-discharge has damaged the battery.


They want to conduct some tests of their own and have requested a copy of my test data.


Anyway, as soon as I have bought a new battery, I will start the testing again but so far, I am pretty impressed with the SSB.

[DiscoJeffster]

Thanks Tim. Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Now hunker down and make sure you don’t cop the COVID-19/SARS-COV-2 flu!

[Dagilmo]

Anyway, as soon as I have bought a new battery, I will start the testing again but so far, I am pretty impressed with the SSB.

That's great news, I've just bought and fitted 2 to the disco. [biggrin]

And get well Tim, stay inside and wash wash wash.....

[gavinwibrow]

I have to say, the irony that the Optima you got was a dud isn’t lost on anyone here [emoji23]

Well Tim's Traxide system USI-160 with ABG-25 showed the way for another yellow top failure (admittedly after at least 3 years).

My rear auxiliary plugs, LED camping lights and CB all stopped working last week when I went camping. (I now know that they are all connected to the auxiliary battery via Tim's set-up which switched the power off to preserve the starter battery - a brand new humongous Varta).
Yellowtop was load tested this morning and found to be well on the way out.
Same SSB HVT50D as Tombie about to be fitted to my MY10 D4 2.7L.

[wiggy781]

Same SSB HVT50D as Tombie about to be fitted to my MY10 D4 2.7L.

Appreciate you sharing your supplier of the SSB HVT50D - local to Freo? Cheers

[Dagilmo]

Appreciate you sharing your supplier of the SSB HVT50D - local to Freo? Cheers

Goodchild Enterprises- $220 ex GST

[Bulletman]

I thought the selling point for the optima was how fast they recharged , can anyone tell me if the SSB recharges similar to the optima ?

I have a old optima that has done minimal work and altho it doesn't run my fridge as long as some of the slightly bigger AGM batteries ,its recharge rate , especially with my solar panel is amazing compared to the standard 80ah AGM battery I have. curious how the SSB compares in real world testing that many of you that have changed from the optima would have done.

Bulletman

[gavinwibrow]

Appreciate you sharing your supplier of the SSB HVT50D - local to Freo? Cheers

Was going to get straight from the local supplier Goodchild Enterprises Cockburn Central as recommended by CraigE, but then decided to use Freo auto elec (29 Strang St) to help a local business to stay alive. On hold for a week cos I've been in hospital, but will happen as soon as I get out (next week).
He's not a LR specialist but an elder statesman and always willing to help and very reasonable/negotionable on price.

[Narangga]

HVT-70D fits a D3.161973

[drivesafe]

HVT-70D fits a D3.161973
Hi and can you get the cover back on the battery compartment?

There are a number of batteries that fin in this location, but you can not replace the cover.

[Narangga]

Hi and can you get the cover back on the battery compartment?

There are a number of batteries that fin in this location, but you can not replace the cover.

No it is too high for that I think. I did not try to put the cover over the 50 as the standard battery retaining bracket did not fit it and so I used the one in the photo that was made up for me and I did not bother shortening the threaded rods.

[imaz]

No it is too high for that I think. I did not try to put the cover over the 50 as the standard battery retaining bracket did not fit it and so I used the one in the photo that was made up for me and I did not bother shortening the threaded rods.

Wow - You can actually fit the HVT-70D there....

I just purchased the HVT-50D for that location, plus another for the passenger side - charging in parallel. I needed to accommodate for both locations, so preferred to get the identical batteries.

You seem to get a better deal than I did from Goodchilds. I paid $235each.

Its a shame they discontinued the HVT-60D.

[Tombie]

I’d never not have the cover on though.

[Narangga]

I’d never not have the cover on though.

Generally I would too - however there's a long story to this. Anyway, for once in my life something of mine is too big for it to fit...

[rapserv]

HVT-70D fits a D3.161973

Has anyone tried one of these 70D's in the Traxide Optima D34 battery holder.
I know things are a tight fit normally .. but this bigger battery is only 6mm longer and 9mm taller than he Optima D34.
I'm about to fit a new Traxide system but from what I've seen, the closest tolerance was the batteries width (because of the coolant bottle, etc) and the 70D is actually 4mm narrower than the D34. I've no idea how much clearance between the D34 and the bonnet when closed but if there's a bit .. the D70 is just shy of 1cm taller.

[rapserv]

.. has the 'added' bonus of also have twin terminals!!

[drivesafe]

Has anyone tried one of these 70D's in the Traxide Optima D34 battery holder.
I know things are a tight fit normally .. but this bigger battery is only 6mm longer and 9mm taller than he Optima D34.
I'm about to fit a new Traxide system but from what I've seen, the closest tolerance was the batteries width (because of the coolant bottle, etc) and the 70D is actually 4mm narrower than the D34. I've no idea how much clearance between the D34 and the bonnet when closed but if there's a bit .. the D70 is just shy of 1cm taller.
Hi rapserv, the SSB HVT-70D is actually 26mm higher than the HVT-50D.

This puts it pretty well up against the bonnet insulation.

NOTE, I changed tray manufacturers late last year and the new trays are slightly longer and will easily accommodate the HVT-70D, but again, they may be a bit too high.

If you and your battery supplier have the time, fit the Traxide battery tray and then go to your battery supplier and place an HVT-70D battery on the tray.

Then and this is a trick another AULRO member, Sniegy, showed me many years ago, when the D4s were first released, remove your grill and passenger side headlight assembly as per the instructions supplied with the Traxide dual battery kit.

NOTE, it only takes about 30 to 45 seconds to remove and refit the grill and headlight assembly.

You can now slowly close the bonnet and place you hand up through the headlight mounting and feel the top of the battery, to see if there is suitable and SAFE clearance.

If you decide to carry out this test, PLEASE let use all know how it goes!

ALSO NOTE, the battery terminals on the HVT batteries can be removed, and all cabling can be bolted directly to the top of the battery, which is the recommended way to fit one of my dual battery kits when using the HVT batteries.

By removing the terminal, which requires an Allan Key, you may improve the clearance enough to make the HVT-70D ( 85Ah ) battery a viable option to HVT-50D ( 60Ah ) battery.

[Tombie]

.. has the 'added' bonus of also have twin terminals!!

Distribution hubs are better than loading terminals though [emoji41]

[Tombie]

This is close
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210413/88591276650babe5d20a70606efbc517.jpg

I wouldn’t want to get much closer.

[drivesafe]

This is close
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210413/88591276650babe5d20a70606efbc517.jpg

I wouldn’t want to get much closer.
Just a suggestion, for safety reasons, all batteries should be mounted with the positive ( + ) terminal closest to the motor as this usually means a larger clearance between the battery terminal and the higher point in the bonnet.

In your setup, if you turned the battery around, you would not not only make your setup safer but because the battery terminals would then be at the back of the battery, the bonnet clearance would also be improved.

[DiscoJeffster]

Drive safe. If you look the positive terminal is towards the motor. The wire colours are throwing you off.

[Tombie]

Drive safe. If you look the positive terminal is towards the motor. The wire colours are throwing you off.

All my cables are Welding Cable. Colour coded heat shrink on the lugs as you picked up :)

[drivesafe]

Thank Tombie, and yes I was going on the cable colours as I could not enlarge the photo on my desktop.

[drivesafe]

Hi rapserv, the SSB HVT-70D is actually 26mm higher than the HVT-50D.

This puts it pretty well up against the bonnet insulation.

NOTE, I changed tray manufacturers late last year and the new trays are slightly longer and will easily accommodate the HVT-70D, but again, they may be a bit too high.

If you and your battery supplier have the time, fit the Traxide battery tray and then go to your battery supplier and place an HVT-70D battery on the tray.

Then and this is a trick another AULRO member, Sniegy, showed me many years ago, when the D4s were first released, remove your grill and passenger side headlight assembly as per the instructions supplied with the Traxide dual battery kit.

NOTE, it only takes about 30 to 45 seconds to remove and refit the grill and headlight assembly.

You can now slowly close the bonnet and place you hand up through the headlight mounting and feel the top of the battery, to see if there is suitable and SAFE clearance.

If you decide to carry out this test, PLEASE let use all know how it goes!

ALSO NOTE, the battery terminals on the HVT batteries can be removed, and all cabling can be bolted directly to the top of the battery, which is the recommended way to fit one of my dual battery kits when using the HVT batteries.

By removing the terminal, which requires an Allan Key, you may improve the clearance enough to make the HVT-70D ( 85Ah ) battery a viable option to HVT-50D ( 60Ah ) battery.

Back again with this reply.

I have just had a long phone conversation with rapserv and unfortunately, at this time, he can not carry out the test fitting with the HVT-70D battery to see if it will clear.

So this is call out for some help.

Rapserv is from Kalgoolie where he can not get asses to a battery to test the size clearance. But he is in Perth till mid next week and if some else can carry out the test fitting, he ( and I ) would be most appreciative, as he can purchase either battery in Perth while he is there.

[drivesafe]

Hi again Tombie, just out of curiosity, do you have the dimensions for your new cranking battery?

If it is similar to the HVT-70D, it might answer the question of clearance without the need for someone to test it.

[Tombie]

Hi again Tombie, just out of curiosity, do you have the dimensions for your new cranking battery?

If it is similar to the HVT-70D, it might answer the question of clearance without the need for someone to test it.

The primary cranking battery is std
I’m still running the 2 HVT50 aux at this stage

The new Aux is 260l x 169w x 210h

[gavinwibrow]

Back again with this reply.

I have just had a long phone conversation with rapserv and unfortunately, at this time, he can not carry out the test fitting with the HVT-70D battery to see if it will clear.

So this is call out for some help.

Rapserv is from Kalgoolie where he can not get asses to a battery to test the size clearance. But he is in Perth till mid next week and if some else can carry out the test fitting, he ( and I ) would be most appreciative, as he can purchase either battery in Perth while he is there.

Should be able to pop out to Goodchilds in Bibra Lake area and get them to test it - very helpful battery sellers of SSB etc
They are at 6 Pusey Rd, Cockburn Central 9417 7033 (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=goodchild+batteries#)

[rapserv]

Should be able to pop out to Goodchilds in Bibra Lake area and get them to test it - very helpful battery sellers of SSB etc
They are at 6 Pusey Rd, Cockburn Central 9417 7033 (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=goodchild+batteries#)

That's exactly what I'd like to do .. but unfortunately, the battery cradle will be on it's way to Kalgoorlie awaiting my return.[bigsad]

[rapserv]

Update!!

For those who are interested ...

Tim from Traxide was kind enough to re-route my DBS Kit from Kalgoorlie to me in Perth where it arrived 2 days later and I have been able to test the installation using the SSB HVT-70LD battery in place of the Optima D34 and SSB HVT-50D batteries.

With the recent change to the Traxide battery cradle, it DOES accept the 70LD fairly comfortably with regard to length and width but the battery is a little tighter with respect to height ... but it does fit SAFELY.

I have attached a couple of photos of the 70LD in place to show the fit and possible rub points.
Also, at this time, I have only fitted the cradle and battery to help determine, one way or another, whether the 70LD will 'physically' fit. It DOES!!

For those who are not sure of the D70 batteries terminal configuration ... the 70D has the +ve (positive) terminal on the front left when viewed from the front and the 'LD' is the opposite with the +ve terminal on the front right .. so that when you turn the battery 180 degrees, the +ve terminal is actually located on the left at the rear .. in the lowest and SAFEST position for this terminal to be in.

Also, keep in mind that my vehicle is a 2013 Discovery 4 SDV6 and it may differ slightly in other models of the D4 .. but I don't believe so.

Because the battery is being 'reversed' there is a slight difference in the length of cabling to the battery itself, however, Tim is aware of this and will be making a change to the cable length to get around this and I'm sure he'll add some comments to this thread accordingly.

Have a look at the photo's and make your own decision even though I am confident enough in the clearances.

Use of the 70LD battery will give you a substantial increase in battery capacity over the 50D, from 65Ah to 85Ah capacity for about an extra $20.
I picked up the 70LD at Goodchild Enterprises (who were very helpful) in Perth for $264 incl gst, however, this battery is made over on the east coast so I would expect it to be somewhat cheaper over that side of the country.

Please also keep in mind that in these photos, the battery terminals have been removed and the cable lugs would be bolted directly to the terminal mounts. (the preferred method)
You may also want to modify the battery clamp crosspiece slightly or even make your own to replace it.

I hope this info is of use if you are contemplating fitting the Traxide DBS.

[Tombie]

Good info there mate! Nice job.

[rapserv]

Update!!

For those who are interested ...

Tim from Traxide was kind enough to re-route my DBS Kit from Kalgoorlie to me in Perth where it arrived 2 days later and I have been able to test the installation using the SSB HVT-70LD battery in place of the Optima D34 and SSB HVT-50D batteries.

With the recent change to the Traxide battery cradle, it DOES accept the 70LD fairly comfortably with regard to length and width but the battery is a little tighter with respect to height ... but it does fit SAFELY.

I have attached a couple of photos of the 70LD in place to show the fit and possible rub points.
Also, at this time, I have only fitted the cradle and battery to help determine, one way or another, whether the 70LD will 'physically' fit. It DOES!!

For those who are not sure of the D70 batteries terminal configuration ... the 70D has the +ve (positive) terminal on the front left when viewed from the front and the 'LD' is the opposite with the +ve terminal on the front right .. so that when you turn the battery 180 degrees, the +ve terminal is actually located on the left at the rear .. in the lowest and SAFEST position for this terminal to be in.

Also, keep in mind that my vehicle is a 2013 Discovery 4 SDV6 and it may differ slightly in other models of the D4 .. but I don't believe so.

Because the battery is being 'reversed' there is a slight difference in the length of cabling to the battery itself, however, Tim is aware of this and will be making a change to the cable length to get around this and I'm sure he'll add some comments to this thread accordingly.

Have a look at the photo's and make your own decision even though I am confident enough in the clearances.

Use of the 70LD battery will give you a substantial increase in battery capacity over the 50D, from 65Ah to 85Ah capacity for about an extra $20.
I picked up the 70LD at Goodchild Enterprises (who were very helpful) in Perth for $264 incl gst, however, this battery is made over on the east coast so I would expect it to be somewhat cheaper over that side of the country.

Please also keep in mind that in these photos, the battery terminals have been removed and the cable lugs would be bolted directly to the terminal mounts. (the preferred method)
You may also want to modify the battery clamp crosspiece slightly or even make your own to replace it.

I hope this info is of use if you are contemplating fitting the Traxide DBS.

*** .. just in case any of you missed it .. there's a very short 'Clearance.mp4' video file attached at the very bottom of the thumbnails. It's easy to overlook .. but in a way, sums up all of the photos with regard to the 'actual' clearance when the bonnet is closed.

[DiscoDB]

*** .. just in case any of you missed it .. there's a very short 'Clearance.mp4' video file attached at the very bottom of the thumbnails. It's easy to overlook .. but in a way, sums up all of the photos with regard to the 'actual' clearance when the bonnet is closed.

Looks good - a flat bar as a clamp would also increase the clearance.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210421/2c202f82a7fcbb7c2cf08a6dabdf5531.jpg

[rapserv]

Looks good - a flat bar as a clamp would also increase the clearance.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210421/2c202f82a7fcbb7c2cf08a6dabdf5531.jpg


.. yes .. a flat bar would do the job and would more easily clear the bonnet.
However, the down side could be that you may lose a little of the protection that the high cross piece affords the +ve terminal should something heavy drop onto the bonnet.

[LRD414]

New battery tray must be a bit lower? I measured the 70D before buying the 50D and it was just a bit too high. My Traxide tray is 2014 vintage.

Scott

[rapserv]

New battery tray must be a bit lower? I measured the 70D before buying the 50D and it was just a bit too high. My Traxide tray is 2014 vintage.

Scott

I believe Tim changed the design last year which allowed for a slightly larger battery all round.

[Falcon500]

Great work Rapserv, thank you.

Just a question for anyone who might know; what is the max size battery option I could fit in the aux battery box location on a D3 (ie. RHS on drivers side) and still close the plastic cover?

Cheers!

[loanrangie]

Great work Rapserv, thank you.

Just a question for anyone who might know; what is the max size battery option I could fit in the aux battery box location on a D3 (ie. RHS on drivers side) and still close the plastic cover?

Cheers!

I have an 85ah AGM in mine with a hole cut in the lid.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210422/c55cfbb09e961ffe7a0d54855f284254.jpg

[Falcon500]

I have an 85ah AGM in mine with a hole cut in the lid.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210422/c55cfbb09e961ffe7a0d54855f284254.jpg

Thanks Loanrangie, so looks like an 85 won't fit the lid back on 😊. Is that mounting bracket one you have made yourself or is it a commercial solution?

[loanrangie]

Thanks Loanrangie, so looks like an 85 won't fit the lid back on 😊. Is that mounting bracket one you have made yourself or is it a commercial solution?

Just a piece of 3mm galvanized bar and 2 threaded rods with wing nuts.

[Tankmat]

Nice job with the fitment of the 70D. If you remove the plastic battery handle on the positive terminal side the battery clamp from the Traxide kit fits much better in the exposed groove. Use the inner edge of the battery clamp.

https://www.aulro.com/mobile-gallery/b9ff7b5957dd3a4d1018c7ebdbbb1447.jpg

[drivesafe]

Great work Rapserv, thank you.

Just a question for anyone who might know; what is the max size battery option I could fit in the aux battery box location on a D3 (ie. RHS on drivers side) and still close the plastic cover?

Cheers!
Hi Falcon, the HVT-50D is still the largest battery you can fit and still fit the cover back on.

[Falcon500]

Hi Falcon, the HVT-50D is still the largest battery you can fit and still fit the cover back on.

Thanks for the info drivesafe, much appreciated.

Cheers!

[rapserv]

further UPDATE:

Have now had a chance to fit off the Traxide DBS properly using the SSB 70LD battery.
Also took the opportunity to install a 200W solar panel and Redarc SRP0240 20A solar regulator while I was at it .. along with cabling for my HF radio.
I wanted to keep the solar cabling as short as possible so elected to run the cable onto the side of the platform rack .. in through the front right rail assembly and down the inside of the 'A' pillar cover to the drivers side ABS compartment.
The regulator is sitting 'snugly' against the front edge with a couple of pieces of HD foam rubber to assist with cushioning.

[rapserv]

I have an 85ah AGM in mine with a hole cut in the lid.




https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210422/c55cfbb09e961ffe7a0d54855f284254.jpg

That's not a hole cut in the lid ..... that's a piece of lid around a hole!![bigsmile1]

[rapserv]

further UPDATE:

Have now had a chance to fit off the Traxide DBS properly using the SSB 70LD battery.
Also took the opportunity to install a 200W solar panel and Redarc SRP0240 20A solar regulator while I was at it .. along with cabling for my HF radio.
I wanted to keep the solar cabling as short as possible so elected to run the cable onto the side of the platform rack .. in through the front right rail assembly and down the inside of the 'A' pillar cover to the drivers side ABS compartment.
The regulator is sitting 'snugly' against the front edge with a couple of pieces of HD foam rubber to assist with cushioning.

.. forgot to mention .. I also installed a 'low coolant alarm' and found a spot to fit the GME XRE microphone.
So .. it's been a reasonably constructive last few days.[smilebigeye]

[DiscoJeffster]

Is the factory low coolant alarm not good enough? Has always worked a treat for me

[Tombie]

Umm yeah. The D4 has a very effective low coolant alarm built in.

[gavinwibrow]

.. forgot to mention .. I also installed a 'low coolant alarm' and found a spot to fit the GME XRE microphone.
So .. it's been a reasonably constructive last few days.[smilebigeye]


Time to update your signature?

[rapserv]

Time to update your signature?

yes ... I've been thinking about doing exactly that.
I'm still going through a period of grief for the D2 though.:BigCry:

[imaz]

That's not a hole cut in the lid ..... that's a piece of lid around a hole!![bigsmile1]

That’s a sight for sore eyes [emoji1787]

I’d rather not have the lid in my honest humble opinion.

[Milton477]

I have got a dead 2 year old SSB battery. It's mate in parallel is an Optima & while tired, has outlasted the SSB by 2 years. Maybe they didn't like each other.

[drivesafe]

I have got a dead 2 year old SSB battery. It's mate in parallel is an Optima & while tired, has outlasted the SSB by 2 years. Maybe they didn't like each other.
Hi Milton, can you tell us how you have been using and maintaining your setup prior to the failure?

[Slunnie]

I have got a dead 2 year old SSB battery. It's mate in parallel is an Optima & while tired, has outlasted the SSB by 2 years. Maybe they didn't like each other.
Yep, although the current Optimas aren’t what the early ones were, I still get 5 years from them. I use the D31M Bluetop as a starter though. I’ll replace it with another D31M Bluetop. I run that parallel with an isolated Lifeline 150AH Deepcycle.

[Milton477]

Hi Milton, can you tell us how you have been using and maintaining your setup prior to the failure?

Your SC80 DBS Drivesafe.
I have a Victron Smart Shunt monitoring comings & goings into the dual battery system.

Mainly long trips with a 40l Engel set to freeze in the D4. Overnight stops with fridge still on freeze.
When stopped for any length of time & on power, D4 with fridge in is plugged into caravan via the Anderson on the towbar & D4 batteries are kept at 13.2V courtesy of LifePo4 system in van.

Occasionally use a 200W solar panel & Victron Controller to maintain D4 batteries & run Engel if no mains power is available. When at home & no fridge in D4, maintained using solar panel & Victron.

I am fitting 2 new SSB's tomorrow. Maybe I'll have better luck with a matched pair of SSB's. I tried a pair of Optimas & that failed.

[drivesafe]

Hi again Milton and all sounds fine and it is strange that only one battery fails, regardless of type.

Is it the auxiliary battery in each case the battery that failed and if so, how low do you discharge the auxiliary battery when running the fridge?

[Milton477]

I don't generally get lower than 12V Drivesafe.
The first Optima that failed, had a severely buckled yellow top so I changed it for the SSB as a precaution although it still seemed ok.
The SSB however has failed catastrophically. It takes whatever charge you give it & then gives nothing back. Overnight it was flattening it's mate the Optima & the cranking battery to the point where I got the low battery message on the dash.
I have changed the cranking battery too (for the 2nd time since new) as a precaution so will have 3 new batteries.

[drivesafe]

Hi Milton and sounds like the SSB dropped a cell.

While not that unusual years ago, it is somewhat unusual these days.

I take it it was out of warranty?

[BMKal]

Well after 5 months away working in SA and the D4 left in the shed and not used during that time, the cranking battery was down to about 5 volts (not even enough to unlock the car doors - had to use the manual key in the passenger's door so I could get at the bonnet release). The Full River aux battery was fully charged though, so I tried clicking the little switch on the Traxide box that I always thought allowed me to "jump" using both batteries. No such luck. So I disconnected the cranking battery and put a CTek charger on it overnight - back to full charge and started without problem the next morning. Then just had to remember how to set the "auto-up" on the windows, re-set the clock and all back to normal. Bloody miserable and wet in Kalgoorlie at the moment though.

So now I'm left wondering - what does the little toggle switch that comes as part of the Traxide set-up actually do. I believe some people run the wire through and mount this switch inside the car - mine is in a plastic bag up inside the other plastic box on the right side of the firewall under the bonnet.

Was nice to be back behind the wheel of a decent vehicle again though after 5 months of driving mostly Toyotas. [biggrin]

171503

[drivesafe]

Well after 5 months away working in SA and the D4 left in the shed and not used during that time, the cranking battery was down to about 5 volts (not even enough to unlock the car doors - had to use the manual key in the passenger's door so I could get at the bonnet release). The Full River aux battery was fully charged though, so I tried clicking the little switch on the Traxide box that I always thought allowed me to "jump" using both batteries. No such luck. So I disconnected the cranking battery and put a CTek charger on it overnight - back to full charge and started without problem the next morning. Then just had to remember how to set the "auto-up" on the windows, re-set the clock and all back to normal. Bloody miserable and wet in Kalgoorlie at the moment though.

So now I'm left wondering - what does the little toggle switch that comes as part of the Traxide set-up actually do. I believe some people run the wire through and mount this switch inside the car - mine is in a plastic bag up inside the other plastic box on the right side of the firewall under the bonnet.

Was nice to be back behind the wheel of a decent vehicle again though after 5 months of driving mostly Toyotas. [biggrin]

171503
Hi and the Jump Start feature will NOT work if the cranking battery is below 10v.

This is a safety parameter to protect against accidentally linking the auxiliary battery to a dead short somewhere on the cranking battery side of the USI-160 isolator.

[Tombie]

Interesting. My SSB are going strong after 4 years.

[Tombie]

Well, interesting event occurred over the last couple of weeks.

Mrs Tombie has Ike the 90.

Last year 2 brand new D34M batteries were wired into it. This last 2 weeks nothing but issues with slow starting and low voltage during cranking.

Threw the charger on for a few days, ran the vehicle a week, repeated and ran again for a week.

No parasitic draw on the system beyond standard.

The battery for SLA is failing - cannot hold over 10.3v

2x SSB heading it’s way!

[drivesafe]

Hi Tombie, are the Optimas still under warranty?

[Tombie]

Hi Tombie, are the Optimas still under warranty?

Just out I believe.

[Slunnie]

Just out I believe.
Bluetops are 24 months warranty if you have the receipt. 12 months if it’s a commercial application.

I’ve also just replaced my D31M Bluetop, with another the same. It gave 5 years. I thought my charger was broken as well. Thank god for the 2nd battery isolator so I wasn’t up for 2 batteries like last time.

Something interesting that I noticed was the 2 batteries have different part numbers now, so I’d be interested to know what the difference is

Old D31M Bluetop 8052-161
New D31M Bluetop 8052-188

[Tombie]

In my case it all works out ok.

The 2x SSB HVT50 in my D4 will now go to the Defender and I’ll be fitting the Lithium Aux I have in planning to make some space for other components up front in the Disco.

[RHS58]

My Optima D34 fitted in Jan 2020 has given up the ghost - just over 2 years. Mere 12 month warranty for deep cycle use.
Previous D34 lasted 6 years, so I am somewhat disappointed.
Have ordered SSB HVT50D - price is significantly less than the Optima and comes with 2 year warranty for deep cycle use. (36 months for starting and marine use).

[Vern]

My Optima D34 fitted in Jan 2020 has given up the ghost - just over 2 years. Mere 12 month warranty for deep cycle use.
Previous D34 lasted 6 years, so I am somewhat disappointed.
Have ordered SSB HVT50D - price is significantly less than the Optima and comes with 2 year warranty for deep cycle use. (36 months for starting and marine use).They truly are rubbish batteries. I have 3 optimas here, haven't had a great deal of use, all useless.
Now I need to find the highest Ah battery the same size as a d34 due to space.

[scarry]

Same here,my first D34 lasted almost 6 yrs,the second failed under warranty,the third went with the car when it was sold.

I wouldnt use one again.

On Tims advice i now have an SSB something as a second battery and its been fine for the last 18months.

[Narangga]

They truly are rubbish batteries. I have 3 optimas here, haven't had a great deal of use, all useless.
Now I need to find the highest Ah battery the same size as a d34 due to space.

Is height the issue? SSB HVT-50D is 60Ah and D34 is 55 Ah as far as I'm aware.

[drivesafe]

My Optima D34 fitted in Jan 2020 has given up the ghost - just over 2 years. Mere 12 month warranty for deep cycle use.
Previous D34 lasted 6 years, so I am somewhat disappointed.
Have ordered SSB HVT50D - price is significantly less than the Optima and comes with 2 year warranty for deep cycle use. (36 months for starting and marine use).
Hi Ron, if you have one of my D4 kits, with a couple of simple modifications to my older kits, you can now fit the SSB HVT-70LD, an 85Ah battery, and all the newer kits now come set up for the bigger battery.

[RHS58]

Hi Ron, if you have one of my D4 kits, with a couple of simple modifications to my older kits, you can now fit the SSB HVT-70LD, an 85Ah battery, and all the newer kits now come set up for the bigger battery.

Thanks Tim. I have the 2014 version of your D4 kit. The SSB HVT50D has been purchased and is on its way, and I am ok to run with that.

[kelvo]

It’s a bit strange this tread has popped up. My HVT-50D has just died. I fitted it December 2018.

Tim, my Traxide battery tray was also bought in 2018 would this have been one of the ‘new style’ that allows a HVT-70 to be fitted?

[drivesafe]

Hi kelvo and Ron, to fit the bigger battery in any of my kits supplied before 2021, you will need to remove the tray and bend one end down flat.

You will also need a new LONGER cable that runs from the isolator to the auxiliary battery's positive ( + ) terminal.

For an SC80 or DT90, the new cable needs to be a 35cm long 6B&S cable and for a USI-160 or a UST-175, you need a 25cm 3B&S cable.

NOTE all kits supplied from January 2021 are supplied ready to fit the new bigger battery and no modifications are needed.

[Vern]

Is height the issue? SSB HVT-50D is 60Ah and D34 is 55 Ah as far as I'm aware.Not sure about height as I haven't fitted my battery tray yet, but I do believe the d34 is one of the only batteries that fit. The SSB-HVT-70D is very similar in dimensions and 85Ah, so will see if it fits height wise.

[Ashes]

Hi kelvo and Ron, to fit the bigger battery in any of my kits supplied before 2021, you will need to remove the tray and bend one end down flat.

You will also need a new LONGER cable that runs from the isolator to the auxiliary battery's positive ( + ) terminal.

For an SC80 or DT90, the new cable needs to be a 35cm long 6B&S cable and for a USI-160 or a UST-175, you need a 25cm 3B&S cable.

NOTE all kits supplied from January 2021 are supplied ready to fit the new bigger battery and no modifications are needed.

Tim,
Can you advise the thread size of the usi160 and SSB HVT-70LD terminal. I’ll be replacing my yellow top with one of these soon so will need to source some 3b&s cable and terminal lugs for this. Thanks

[drivesafe]

Hi Ashes, the cable from the USI-160 to the Auxiliary battery needs to be 25CM long 3B&S and have an 8M eye terminal on on end and a 6M eye terminal on the other end.

The cable running from the USI-160 back to the Cranking battery will be the correct length and the Black cable that connects the a Auxiliary’s negative ( - ) to earth is also the correct length.

Remove the two battery terminal studs with an Alan Key and use the 6M bolts and washers supplied with the SSB battery, to secure the cables to the top of the battery.

This a much easier and more secure way to fix the cables to the new battery and it also lowers the overall height of the new battery.

[Vern]

Hi Tim, or anyone that knows. Have you had a d34 and ssb hvt70d side by side? Or the ssb hvt50? I'm wanting to know the actual physical height difference in the cases (not the terminals). I can see it on paper, but sometimes that's not always correct.

[josh.huber]

Hi Tim, or anyone that knows. Have you had a d34 and ssb hvt79d side by side? Or the ssb hvt50? I'm wanting to know the actual physical height difference in the cases (not the terminals). I can see it on paper, but sometimes that's not always correct.

I can vouch the SSB specs are perfect. I measured against them when fitting mine

[Vern]

I can vouch the SSB specs are perfect. I measured against them when fitting mineOh, well that's me stuffed then. Height is my issue

[drivesafe]

Oh, well that's me stuffed then. Height is my issue
Hi Damien, where are you trying to mount the replacement battery.

[gavinwibrow]

Oh, well that's me stuffed then. Height is my issue


Not in a D4 - some of us have fitted the 70 as a second battery

[Vern]

Hi Damien, where are you trying to mount the replacement battery.In this spot. Nissan y62https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/aa4d3b85c6494411135798350a57cac1.jpg

[drivesafe]

Hi again Damien, the SSB HVT-50D is slightly shorter, same width and only 10mm higher in the body but lower that the terminal height of the D43, because you can ( and should ) remove the battery studs on the SSB.

[Vern]

It's sound like it will be a very close fit, I'll do some measuring next weekend

[Tankmat]

Have you had a d34 and ssb hvt70d side by side? Or the ssb hvt50? I'm wanting to know the actual physical height difference in the cases (not the terminals).

D34 vs HVT50, remember the terminals on the HVT50 can be removed which decreases its height below that of the D34https://www.aulro.com/mobile-gallery/5fe2a643883817dc7d944a22001999e7.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/mobile-gallery/aceceb2d81d569964c50bb62b1b00179.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/mobile-gallery/0bdd58be5838fda9838062658a96b503.jpg

[Vern]

Battery terminals isn't the issue, it's the case. If that's the height difference between the d34 and hvt50, then I doubt the 70 will fit.

[Vern]

That's all I got. Unless I do some metal work[emoji1]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220516/9897551704cd1fc2ab17ff33cfcd3291.jpg

[Tankmat]

That's all I got. Unless I do some metal work

HVT-50D will fit easily but it looks like the 70 is too tall (needs ~36mm and you have ~30mm). I’d find a store that stocks both and get a test fit, you never know. The photo in post #142 shows the battery hold down bracket extends wells above the metal edge, indicating you actually have plenty of room.

[Vern]

HVT-50D will fit easily but it looks like the 70 is too tall (needs ~36mm and you have ~30mm). I’d find a store that stocks both and get a test fit, you never know. The photo in post #142 shows the battery hold down bracket extends wells above the metal edge, indicating you actually have plenty of room.The battery sits under the corner where I have the tape measure, so I only have 20mm at a max, otherwise I have to cut that corner out.
However, I do have a battery here about the same height as the hvt70d, so if it ever stops raining amd I get a dry weekend, I'll rip the airbox out and see if I can squeeze it in

[Narangga]

The battery sits under the corner where I have the tape measure, so I only have 20mm at a max, otherwise I have to cut that corner out.
However, I do have a battery here about the same height as the hvt70d, so if it ever stops raining amd I get a dry weekend, I'll rip the airbox out and see if I can squeeze it in

I have measured my HVT-70D and the case is 208mm high - as per specs. I have the 8M bolts on the cables and they are another 9mm higher than the case.

The case has a handle at each end which sits flush with the sides and end of the case. it is 9mm square across the end of the case. so if that were removed on the body end of your install it gives you a height of 199mm (for the first 9mm).

If you are not desperate for an 85Ah -70D then as per the photo above, the -50D at 60Ah has a case that is only about 9 - 10mm taller than the D34.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

[drivesafe]

Here is an HVT-50D along side an HVT-70LD.
178760

178761

[Vern]

Well my dry run proved the 70 won't fit unless I am prepared to do some panel trimming.

So where's the best place people have found to source the ssb-hvt50d??

[drivesafe]

Hi Vern, Give SSB a call tomorrow and they should be able to help you with both price and source.

[PeterOZ]

I put a SSB SS88Ti AGM in my D3 and it was great till about 2 months ago, noticeably weaker cranking with the occasional Christmas tree lights due to low voltage.

I'd expect it to last more than a couple of months past the 2 year warranty period, contacted the supplier. Will see what they say.

[Tombie]

I put a SS88Ti AGM in my D3 and it was great till about 2 months ago, noticeably weaker cranking with the occasional Christmas tree lights due to low voltage.

I'd expect it to last more than a couple of months past the 2 year warranty period, contacted the supplier. Will see what they say.

That’s unusual….

Unless your vehicle usage has been extremely infrequent/short runs.

It has been the silly season the last 2 years.

Have you been putting it on a charger every few months?

[PeterOZ]

That’s unusual….

Unless your vehicle usage has been extremely infrequent/short runs.

It has been the silly season the last 2 years.

Have you been putting it on a charger every few months?

my commute is 35km each way on 100km/h highway plus trips from Hervey Bay to Brisbane quite a lot.

I do put it on the CTEK charger about every 3 months, had it on the recondition mode yesterday but had to turn it off before it fully completed. I will put it back on Friday when I am done with the vehicle and let it go overnight.

[BMKal]

my commute is 35km each way on 100km/h highway plus trips from Hervey Bay to Brisbane quite a lot.

I do put it on the CTEK charger about every 3 months, had it on the recondition mode yesterday but had to turn it off before it fully completed. I will put it back on Friday when I am done with the vehicle and let it go overnight.

My understanding is that "Recondition" mode on a CTEK charger is of no use at all on an AGM battery.

[PeterOZ]

My understanding is that "Recondition" mode on a CTEK charger is of no use at all on an AGM battery.


seems odd then that it has an AGM recond mode![bigwhistle]

[BMKal]

seems odd then that it has an AGM recond mode![bigwhistle]

Suggest you have a read ..........

CTEK just killed my Battery (https://www.austech.info/showthread.php/102455-CTEK-just-killed-my-Battery)

Also - the CTEK manual for the MXS 5.0 with "reconditioning" option actually states in the instructions for "Recon" mode to "Use to return energy to the empty WET and Ca/Ca batteries". It does not say to use this mode for AGM batteries, even though the table showing "CHARGING PROGRAMS AND OPTIONS COMBINATIONS" does appear to indicate that you can run the "Recon" program step with AGM batteries.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Figured this is a good a place as any to ask, what's the difference between the SSB HVT 50D and 50LD? Is the LD a lithium variant? From thr Goodchilds website, both have 600CCA and dimensionally thr same. The LD is 1.1 kg lighter, so I doubt its that.

[Narangga]

Figured this is a good a place as any to ask, what's the difference between the SSB HVT 50D and 50LD? Is the LD a lithium variant? From thr Goodchilds website, both have 600CCA and dimensionally thr same. The LD is 1.1 kg lighter, so I doubt its that.

Terminals are reversed:

HVT-50LD Dual Purpose VRLA (AGM) Battery - Superstart Batteries (https://superstart.com.au/product/hvt-50ld/)

HVT-50D Dual Purpose VRLA (AGM) Battery - Superstart Batteries (https://superstart.com.au/product/hvt-50d/)

[PeterOZ]

Suggest you have a read ..........

CTEK just killed my Battery (https://www.austech.info/showthread.php/102455-CTEK-just-killed-my-Battery)

Also - the CTEK manual for the MXS 5.0 with "reconditioning" option actually states in the instructions for "Recon" mode to "Use to return energy to the empty WET and Ca/Ca batteries". It does not say to use this mode for AGM batteries, even though the table showing "CHARGING PROGRAMS AND OPTIONS COMBINATIONS" does appear to indicate that you can run the "Recon" program step with AGM batteries.


Like I said, it has a recon feature for AGM. I'll leave it at that.

[PeterOZ]

Just had my SSB 88Ti 1180 CCA battery tested yesterday afternoon, it is down to about 530 CCA. Got onto to them about it and initially they stated it was only a 24 month warranty but that is for a start / stop vehicle, the D3 is not that. Once they understood that they agreed it is a 36 month warranty and will replace it.

Happy days.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Terminals are reversed:

HVT-50LD Dual Purpose VRLA (AGM) Battery - Superstart Batteries (https://superstart.com.au/product/hvt-50ld/)

HVT-50D Dual Purpose VRLA (AGM) Battery - Superstart Batteries (https://superstart.com.au/product/hvt-50d/)

Thanks for that Narangga. I understand these 50D are not intended for starting duty for that I need the ssb88ti. Is that a correct assumption?

[josh.huber]

Just had my SSB 88Ti 1180 CCA battery tested yesterday afternoon, it is down to about 530 CCA. Got onto to them about it and initially they stated it was only a 24 month warranty but that is for a start / stop vehicle, the D3 is not that. Once they understood that they agreed it is a 36 month warranty and will replace it.

Happy days.

I've had 2 under warranty

[PeterOZ]

I've had 2 under warranty

does note bode well for that brand then.

[BMKal]

Like I said, it has a recon feature for AGM. I'll leave it at that.

No problem - you believe what you like. It's not my battery that is dead after "re-conditioning". [wink11]

[drivesafe]

No problem - you believe what you like. It's not my battery that is dead after "re-conditioning". [wink11]
I'm of the same opinion.

Recon should NOT be used on AGMs

[shack]

I've had 2 under warrantyI had one that didn't make 24 months from memory, but didn't chase it up.

It was stamped for 36 months warranty, I was pretty disappointed.

[Narangga]

Thanks for that Narangga. I understand these 50D are not intended for starting duty for that I need the ssb88ti. Is that a correct assumption?

From what I understand (and others on the forum have done) yes the SSB88ti is the starter. Cheap as down your way and worth half a mortgage to have one shipped up here [bigsad]

[Tombie]

does note bode well for that brand then.

I’ve seen D4s kill Varta etc in less than warranty periods.
It often comes down to the vehicles use pattern.

[josh.huber]

I’ve seen D4s kill Varta etc in less than warranty periods.
It often comes down to the vehicles use pattern.

I've got victron solar on the roof, 45min drive each way. Lots of long drives on the weekend.

[LRHybrid100]

G'day all,

So my old DEKA 9A34 Intimidator AGM Battery is on its way out - its installed in the aux battery compartment on my MY10 D4 and charged using one of Dave's Traxide kits.

The DEKA has been a great battery but are now getting pricey so looking at SSB HVT's - can I fit a SSB HVT-70D in its place without any issues? the 85Ah compered to the old 55Ah could come in handy.

If it does fit am I better going for the HVT-70LD and switching it around 180 degrees to get the positive terminal further towards the engine?

Cheers

[Tombie]

G'day all,

So my old DEKA 9A34 Intimidator AGM Battery is on its way out - its installed in the aux battery compartment on my MY10 D4 and charged using one of Dave's Traxide kits.

The DEKA has been a great battery but are now getting pricey so looking at SSB HVT's - can I fit a SSB HVT-70D in its place without any issues? the 85Ah compered to the old 55Ah could come in handy.

If it does fit am I better going for the HVT-70LD and switching it around 180 degrees to get the positive terminal further towards the engine?

Cheers

Its too tall.. You'll need to modify the box to make it work... (read as cut and modify)

[LRHybrid100]

Cheer Mike.

My DEKA is 203mm tall with the terminals furthest away from the motor, hence why I though maybe the HVT70LD rotated 180 degrees would give me enough clearance?

[Tombie]

Cheer Mike.

My DEKA is 203mm tall with the terminals furthest away from the motor, hence why I though maybe the HVT70LD rotated 180 degrees would give me enough clearance?

My apologies - I read it as in the battery box / brake booster area...

Search HVT70 on here and you'll find plenty have put them in front of the primary battery...

[drivesafe]

Hi LRHybrid100, your Deka is a Deep Cycle battery and the SSB HVT70LD is a cranking battery.

While this may not seem to be important, but with Traxide isolators, you gain major advantages by using a cranking battery as the an auxiliary battery instead of a Deep Cycle battery.

When charging directly off an alternator ( via the Traxide isolator ) Deep Cycle batteries take much longer to fully recharge whereas Cranking batteries can take full advantage of the high current alternator in D4s and will charge rapidly.

Also, Deep cycle batteries do not like being used as cranking batteries and with the Traxide isolator sharing the current load when starting your motor, a Deep cycle battery will not provide as much current while starting your motor.

Using a cranking battery as the auxiliary battery will mean a lot more current is provided by the auxiliary battery during starting, which lowers the load on the main cranking battery, helping to extend the lifespan of the cranking battery.

[loanrangie]

My apologies - I read it as in the battery box / brake booster area...

Search HVT70 on here and you'll find plenty have put them in front of the primary battery...

You were correct the first time -

" So my old DEKA 9A34 Intimidator AGM Battery is on its way out - its installed in the aux battery compartment on my MY10 D4 "

[Victim]

Background - 2014 D4, running Traxide system. Plenty of driving time most days, but system is topped up with C-Tek charger every couple of weeks (or couple of nights if I'm not driving as much). 60lt fridge lives in the back and has been running non-stop since 2017. Primary battery (Varta) was replaced a few months ago.

I got 4 years out of my first Yellowtop, and replaced it with an SSB HVT-70LD in September 2021. This is now nearing the end of it's life, down to 350CCA (from rated 620CCA) after just 3 years and my fridge cuts out after around 24 hours without driving (or after fully charging at home).

I've regularly carried out the "reconditioning" process of overnight charging to float every night for a week or more, but it hasn't helped. Once the Primary voltage drops enough to disconnect the Traxide, I only get a few hours out of the SSB on its own before the AGB-25 switches off the fridge. Even when new, I didn't feel the 85Ah SSB gave me any more noticeable capacity than the 55Ah Yellowtop - I used to comfortably get 2 - 3 days running the fridge with the Yellowtop when it was new.

I'm on the fence about going the simple option of replacing it with another identical SSB, or if it's time to start looking into the minefield of the Lithium & DC-DC charger route.

Are the SSB's still the current "go-to" option for running with the Traxide kit? Has anyone running an SSB auxiliary battery under the hood had a more positive result? Maybe my SSB was just not right from the start.

[drivesafe]

Hi Victim, how long does the system work with both batteries powering the fridge before the Traxide separates the cranking and auxiliary batteries?

[W&KO]

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D[emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]]], running Traxide system. Plenty of driving time most days, but system is topped up with C-Tek charger every couple of weeks (or couple of nights if I'm not driving as much). [emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]lt fridge lives in the back and has been running non-stop since [emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]]]]. Primary battery (Varta) was replaced a few months ago.

I got [emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]]] years out of my first Yellowtop, and replaced it with an SSB HVT-[emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]LD in September [emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]. This is now nearing the end of it's life, down to [emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]CCA (from rated [emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]CCA) after just [emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]] years and my fridge cuts out after around [emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]]] hours without driving (or after fully charging at home).

I've regularly carried out the "reconditioning" process of overnight charging to float every night for a week or more, but it hasn't helped. Once the Primary voltage drops enough to disconnect the Traxide, I only get a few hours out of the SSB on its own before the AGB-[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]]] switches off the fridge. Even when new, I didn't feel the [emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]]]Ah SSB gave me any more noticeable capacity than the 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Yellowtop - I used to comfortably get [emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]] - [emoji[emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]]]][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]][emoji[emoji638][emoji639][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji637]]]]] days running the fridge with the Yellowtop when it was new.

I'm on the fence about going the simple option of replacing it with another identical SSB, or if it's time to start looking into the minefield of the Lithium & DC-DC charger route.

Are the SSB's still the current "go-to" option for running with the Traxide kit? Has anyone running an SSB auxiliary battery under the hood had a more positive result? Maybe my SSB was just not right from the start.

Switching to lithium isn’t really a minefield…..just hurts the hip pocket.

Pretty much replace VSR with DC-DC, find new location for battery as I’m not convinced in the engine bay is a good thing.

[drivesafe]

Switching to lithium isn’t really a minefield…..just hurts the hip pocket.

Pretty much replace VSR with DC-DC, find new location for battery as I’m not convinced in the engine bay is a good thing.

Just out of curiosity, how does this resolve his problem.

There is a problem in Victim’s D4 and that needs to be addressed first.

My money is on a software issue with the D4’s BMS.

The SSB batteries are in use in hundreds of Traxide systems with very few problems occurring.

There are around 5,000 D3s, D4s, RRSs and L322s fitted with Traxide isolators, both here and around the world, and there are no such problems showing up.

So just spending heaps of money on a DC/DC device and a lithium battery could well be a very expensive fix that doesn’t fix anything and may well make the problem worse, particularly in relation to the cranking battery.

The problem needs to be sorted first, and if Victim still wants to charge to a lithium setup, so be it!

[DiscoJeffster]

Background - 2014 D4, running Traxide system. Plenty of driving time most days, but system is topped up with C-Tek charger every couple of weeks (or couple of nights if I'm not driving as much). 60lt fridge lives in the back and has been running non-stop since 2017. Primary battery (Varta) was replaced a few months ago.

I got 4 years out of my first Yellowtop, and replaced it with an SSB HVT-70LD in September 2021. This is now nearing the end of it's life, down to 350CCA (from rated 620CCA) after just 3 years and my fridge cuts out after around 24 hours without driving (or after fully charging at home).

I've regularly carried out the "reconditioning" process of overnight charging to float every night for a week or more, but it hasn't helped. Once the Primary voltage drops enough to disconnect the Traxide, I only get a few hours out of the SSB on its own before the AGB-25 switches off the fridge. Even when new, I didn't feel the 85Ah SSB gave me any more noticeable capacity than the 55Ah Yellowtop - I used to comfortably get 2 - 3 days running the fridge with the Yellowtop when it was new.

I'm on the fence about going the simple option of replacing it with another identical SSB, or if it's time to start looking into the minefield of the Lithium & DC-DC charger route.

Are the SSB's still the current "go-to" option for running with the Traxide kit? Has anyone running an SSB auxiliary battery under the hood had a more positive result? Maybe my SSB was just not right from the start.

I’ve not been very impressed with the SSB batteries. They don’t have the life of better brands. After two years I have seen a decent decline in their capacity. Sure, it’s not dead, but it’s only half as useful. That said, it’s not like you get long out of batteries in a Disco.

[Victim]

Hi Victim, how long does the system work with both batteries powering the fridge before the Traxide separates the cranking and auxiliary batteries?

Around 20 - 22 hours.

[drivesafe]

Around 20 - 22 hours.
Hi Victim and that shows a major problem with both batteries.

If the BOTH batteries are fully charged then you should get at least 2 days.

This does not rule out a problem with the SSB, which could be pulling both batteries down.

It could also be a case that your alternator is not fully charging the batteries.

You don't by any chance have a BM@ Bluetooth Monitor fitted to either of the batteries?

There is a simple test if you want to go further and see if we can rule the batteries in or out as the problem.

Next time you have the batteries in a fully charged state, disconnect the Negative ( - ) lead from the AUXILIARY battery and see how long the fridge runs for before shutting down.

[drivesafe]

I’ve not been very impressed with the SSB batteries. They don’t have the life of better brands. After two years I have seen a decent decline in their capacity. Sure, it’s not dead, but it’s only half as useful. That said, it’s not like you get long out of batteries in a Disco.
How often do you use your disco?

And when you do, how long do you drive for?

[DiscoJeffster]

How often do you use your disco?

And when you do, how long do you drive for?

On weekdays my journeys are typically an hour and done three times a day. Definitely enough charge time. I have since switched back to a Varta AGM as my main battery. My last one got me five years before it tired out. I still have the 70 SSB as my aux. I’m not camping as much these days so the aux is really just there for looks. Hoping to fix that this coming year

[veebs]

Around 20 - 22 hours.

Which Isolator do you have?

My USI160 unit used to get very very hot, became deformed, and the whole system only ever seemed to last 36-40 or so hours without the engine running and a 35L fridge on - including with two brand new batteries. The isolator eventually failed on a trip, and I ended up bush-fixing by bypassing it altogether (just ran the two batteries in permanent parallel).

I haven't found a reason to replace it to be honest - everything is working just fine, fridge seems to last longer, though I haven't tested in controlled conditions. The camper charges just fine. The AGB is still installed to provide some protection for low voltage. Maybe I'm missing something?

[drivesafe]

Which Isolator do you have?

My USI160 unit used to get very very hot, became deformed, and the whole system only ever seemed to last 36-40 or so hours without the engine running and a 35L fridge on - including with two brand new batteries. The isolator eventually failed on a trip, and I ended up bush-fixing by bypassing it altogether (just ran the two batteries in permanent parallel).

I haven't found a reason to replace it to be honest - everything is working just fine, fridge seems to last longer, though I haven't tested in controlled conditions. The camper charges just fine. The AGB is still installed to provide some protection for low voltage. Maybe I'm missing something?

Hi veeps and sorry mate, we had a batch of the USI-160s where the cases would melt.

It took a long time to find out why.

There was no change to the hardware or the software and the original units ( up to 13 years old ) were not melting, so I was stumped for quite some time.

Then by accident, I had an older unit on my workbench and when I sat it next to a new case I noticed a difference in the appearance.

These cases are made in Germany, and the originals were fairly heat tolerant, but they changed the plastic being used and you see the result.

While I fixed the problem and upgraded the software, they just became to time consuming and far more expensive to produce, so I stopped making them.

There is a workaround, and if you are interested PM or phone me.

[Victim]

Hi Victim and that shows a major problem with both batteries.

If the BOTH batteries are fully charged then you should get at least 2 days.

This does not rule out a problem with the SSB, which could be pulling both batteries down.

It could also be a case that your alternator is not fully charging the batteries.

You don't by any chance have a BM@ Bluetooth Monitor fitted to either of the batteries?

There is a simple test if you want to go further and see if we can rule the batteries in or out as the problem.

Next time you have the batteries in a fully charged state, disconnect the Negative ( - ) lead from the AUXILIARY battery and see how long the fridge runs for before shutting down.

Thanks for the input, I will give this a try when I can. The vehicle is generally driven multiple times every day, so it could be a while before I can confirm results.

FYI - Traxide isolator is the SC-80. Both batteries have Bluetooth monitors fitted.

I posted about this issue due to a recent interstate overnight work trip - as a precaution, I had charged both batteries to float overnight the previous evening, then double locked my car at the airport carpark at 7am on a Monday. I left the fridge running, as I was due to return the following afternoon around 2pm. On my return, I could see the fridge had already turned off. I downloaded the Bluetooth battery history before unlocking the car, and could see that the Traxide had disconnected the main battery around 7am Tuesday (24hrs after fully charged at home). The fridge only managed 1x full compressor cycle on the Aux battery after this, then it cut out during the next cycle 1.5hrs later. Both batteries had settled at around 12.2V for the next 5 hours before I returned to the vehicle. I could see that once the main battery had disconnected, the Aux battery voltage dips much lower when the fridge compressor runs and it appears to have dipped far enough to trigger the 11.6V cutout of the ABG-25 low voltage cut-out module and turned off the fridge.

As a test, is it safe to just disconnect the negative lead from the Auxiliary battery and still drive the car as usual during the day, or do I need to completely disconnect the SC-80 as well? This way I could compare the drain from just the main battery running the fridge overnight compared to running both batteries via the Bluetooth history.

[drivesafe]

Thanks for the input, I will give this a try when I can. The vehicle is generally driven multiple times every day, so it could be a while before I can confirm results.

FYI - Traxide isolator is the SC-80. Both batteries have Bluetooth monitors fitted.

I posted about this issue due to a recent interstate overnight work trip - as a precaution, I had charged both batteries to float overnight the previous evening, then double locked my car at the airport carpark at 7am on a Monday. I left the fridge running, as I was due to return the following afternoon around 2pm. On my return, I could see the fridge had already turned off. I downloaded the Bluetooth battery history before unlocking the car, and could see that the Traxide had disconnected the main battery around 7am Tuesday (24hrs after fully charged at home). The fridge only managed 1x full compressor cycle on the Aux battery after this, then it cut out during the next cycle 1.5hrs later. Both batteries had settled at around 12.2V for the next 5 hours before I returned to the vehicle. I could see that once the main battery had disconnected, the Aux battery voltage dips much lower when the fridge compressor runs and it appears to have dipped far enough to trigger the 11.6V cutout of the ABG-25 low voltage cut-out module and turned off the fridge.

As a test, is it safe to just disconnect the negative lead from the Auxiliary battery and still drive the car as usual during the day, or do I need to completely disconnect the SC-80 as well? This way I could compare the drain from just the main battery running the fridge overnight compared to running both batteries via the Bluetooth history.

Hi again and unfortunate just charging for one night is not enough to reverse any Sulphation that may have built up over time.

It does sound like sulfration is the problem and the data from your BM2 indicates the Traxide isolators are working to spec, you are just down in battery capacity.

Have a look at these two links and see if they help you.

Scroll down the page till you get to “LOAD TEST”
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/the-verandah/246755-line-auto-electrical-info-10.html


Scroll down the page till you get to “Battery Maintenance”
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/the-verandah/246755-line-auto-electrical-info-8.html

[Melbourne Park]

I've had three yellow tops since 2014 or was it 2015? I felt my caravan at a friends house in Brisbane due to getting caught with Covid and Victoria shutting down. The car was for 10 months i think ... he reckoned the drove it regularly, (and in fact he took it to the Flinders Ranges with my permission) but after that I think he left it and the batteries both failed. So i reckon but for that the 2nd yellow top might still be going ... but i have an Autofridge and they are Eutectic, so they only need to run for 3 hours a day (unless as a freezer where its an extra hour if under 40C ambient). So not much work for the battery. Using Traxide of course.

But if I had a normal always on fridge, I'd put an el-cheapo iTech lithium in the back with bluetooth so I could see the cells, which can be charged with normal 12volts, and have a switch so it doesn't drain the secondary battery (And they can have bluetooth. Batter quality ones cost a lot more and also you have to add a DC-DC charger. And blue tooth also adds more cost (but IMO is worth it). The advantage of lithium is that they don't sulphate and you can run them down to 20% with little effect on life. But full charging shortens their battery life. So knowing their state is essential IMO, hence the benefit of bluetooth. However lots of batteries can get complicated when they run out ... one then has to charge them somehow, and you are essentially back to have a secondary battery. I use a solar panel (el cheap kings) and plug it into the yellow top. Maybe that is why they last so long for me.

If no traxide, I'd be tempted to KISS and run a rear lithium off solar panels. My Kings old blanket 200 watt seems to produce around 14-16 amps (their 360 watt they claim 30 amps so I'd estimate 20 amps in full sun) and if a fridge uses 45 amps a day, a panel will provide in sunshine lets say at 14 amps, 6 hours, 14x6 =84 A/H less 45 you are in front. A 200 AH lithium will provide (and if iTech I think a 200 is really in watt hours quite a bit less so say 180), to 20% is to 40 A/H, so 180 - 40 = 140 A/H, divided by 45 for a days run, that is 140/45=3 days of running the battery without sunshine. Get a full day of sun = 14 Amps x 6 = 84 less 45 = about 40 A/H gained, almost an extra day. Worth thinking that way IMO.

[Tombie]

A 200w solar blanket doesn’t generate anywhere near 20a. They just aren’t that efficient.

And I wouldn’t be charging any battery - Itech or otherwise off 12.7v and expecting it to be fully charged.

[drivesafe]

Hi Melbourne Park, first off, as Tombie posted, you are not going to get the ampere return you think you will get from any solar panel setup.

First you need to keep moving the panel to get the maximum sun coverage at all times.

Next, the maximum “Advertised” output is almost impossible to achieve in normal use and the hotter the temperature of the panel, the lower the output will be.

Lithium batteries do not charge well in any vehicle with a SMART alternator operation and will actually discharge while driving long trips.

This is the reason it is imperative to use a DC/DC device to recharge lithium batteries while driving, and even then, if the alternator voltage goes to low, and depending on how low the alternator voltage gets, you may get a reduced charging current or no charge at all.

In an case it will take much longer to recharge any battery, lithium or lead acid, when using a DC/DC device in an type of vehicle.

An Itech 200Ah battery actually only has about 150 amperes available. Their Lithium Battery BMS shuts their batteries down at around 25% SoC.

Most lithium batteries shut down at around 20% SoC and you have no say in the shutdown level.
.
Now before you get the wrong idea about me, I actually am a big fan of lithium batteries, BUT only when they are used in the right environment.

In a camper trailer or caravan, lithium batteries have a whole host of advantages over lead acid batteries.

In vehicles, they are not so advantageous.

All batteries, lead acid or lithiums, do not like engine bay heat, but lithium batteries are far more susceptible to heat and it can dramatically shorten their lifespan, depending on the brand of lithium battery.

Another drawback that most people are unaware of is that most lithium batteries can not be used to jump start a motor, as they will either just not start the motor or can be permanently damaged after just one jump start.