Question for 12v/Traxide legends

[southseas]

Hi guys,

I have a d4 with an optima and the rear anderson; I have recently added a 110w solar panel on the roof into a victron MPPT. I have also spliced from the rear anderson another anderson into the cargo area for a battery box to use and charge up for whenever we are camping. I run a small engel fridge in the back (off and on) and would like it to be constantly on.

My two questions are;

Would the cargo area battery box not being a hybrid (deep cycle/starter batt) be a hinderance/cause issue when starting the vehicle?

What is the best charger to get for a supplementary charge when the weather is ordinary, can I charge all 3 together no worries?

I did try to find out on a fb forum, but I was derided and set alight for mentioning that I don't need a DCDC charger due to the traxide system.

Any help would be great!

[John_D4]

Tim is the best guy to speak to. TBH I’d give him a call - Google Traxide and you’ll find his QLD number.

No you don’t need an extra charger. The D4 is more than capable to charge your whole setup. The only time that you’ll need a bcdc is off you are trying to charge a lithium. The D4 won’t charge a lithium sufficiently due to the variable rate alternator. Lithium like to be charged with a constantly high charge, the D4 won’t do that.

I’m running 1 aux battery in my D4 and 2 x 120amp agm in the camper and everything is charging fine. I’m using a Traxide usi-160 controller and everything is running fine.

[drivesafe]

Hi Southseas, first off, ignore the ignorance of others as you have the WORLDS BEST dual battery system for a D4.

There is no other system, anywhere in the world, that will do as much as one of my systems do and even systems twice or three times the price, come in second best when compared with what my systems achieve.

This is a pretty tall claim but it is a fact.

To your first question and you can use and mix any type of lead acid battery, that is AGMs, both deep cycle and cranking type, with flooded/wet cell deep cycle and cranking batteries and all your batteries will charge properly.

As John pointed out, Lithium batteries can only be charged with a DC/DC in any vehicle, not just in Land Rovers, but any make of vehicle that has a SMART alternator.

NOTE most vehicles used to demonstrate charging lithium batteries using just the alternator, are Toyotas and this is because Toyotas do NOT have SMART alternators.

As to the number of batteries that can be charged with your TRAXIDE setup. It is in theory an unlimited number.

Using a DC/DC device to charge lead acid batteries in a Land Rover is a total waste of time and money. They just can’t compete with what you already have.

To be able to charge a mix of battery types with a 240vac battery charge, just set the charge to have a maximum charge voltage of 14.7v and you will easily and safely charge any mix of batteries.


PS, if you would like to drop a cat amongst the pigeons on the FB forum, drop me a PM with a link.

[John_D4]

[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial]PS, if you would like to drop a cat amongst the pigeons on the FB forum, drop me a PM with a link.

You’re evil

[southseas]

Thanks everyone, that really sets my mind at ease (not that I should be even considering the opinions of nuffs on fb when we have Tim on here!)

Thanks again guys.

Link is here, look forward to the fireworks.

Log in to Facebook | Facebook (https://m.facebook.com/groups/215790876814804/permalink/510248967368992/)

[Redtail]

I have a similar setup - Optima under the bonnet and a home-built marine grade AGM 90Ah battery box in the back (portable as required).
Tim was very helpful with design advice when it came to connecting the battery box to the rear Anderson for charging on the go.
I also charge the whole lot (Optima, box and crank) in one hit with either the AC charger (Victron IP65/10A), or a 200W Amptron Solar MPPT setup, all from the one plug.
Works like a dream. Beer is always cold.

[drivesafe]

Link is here, look forward to the fireworks.
Hi Hank and that guy is a full-on tosser.

And what did NASA have to do with anything??????

[Redtail]

Hi Hank and that guy is a fall-on tosser.

And what did NASA have to do with anything??????

You mean your designs aren't NASA certified? OMG!
Adding this one to my certified NUTTER collection. [thumbsupbig]

Good on you both, Hank and Tim, for remaining civil and addressing the facts.

I wonder at what point does the other bloke hit the point of libel?

[southseas]

Hi Hank and that guy is a fall-on tosser.

And what did NASA have to do with anything??????

Haha, yeah - I think he's looked up to on there as an authority too which is a worry. I did ask nicely a few times to prove his claims.

[Vern]

Thanks for the link southseas, that was entertaining, Nev's a bit clueless

[Redtail]

Thanks for the link southseas, that was entertaining, Nev's a bit clueless

Looks like the comments on that FB thread have been deleted, and Nev is no longer a member.

[veebs]

I never got in, still waiting for acceptance into the closed group…

[Redtail]

Perhaps the moderator/admin is having a Bex and a good lie down. [bigsmile1]

[drivesafe]

Perhaps the moderator/admin is having a Bex and a good lie down. [bigsmile1]
I think he needs psychiatrist.

I just got banned for telling the truth, something he is apparently not able to handle.

[southseas]

I think he needs psychiatrist.

I just got banned for telling the truth, something he is apparently not able to handle.

What was the reasoning for that?

[drivesafe]

Hi Southseas, there was a question raised by someone with a Ford Ranger, who wanted to make some changes to his existing setup.

I suggested he see a Ford dealer and have his SMART alternator function turned off and he could then use a basic VSR ( I did not mention mine ).

The FB page admin came in and stated he would be better to have the DC/DC device, so he could charge lithium batteries.

I came back and posted the with the SMART alternator function turned off, all he needed to charge a lithium battery was an ignition controlled relay.

The admin then stated you need 14.6v to fully charge a lithium battery, to which I suggested he look at the secs for lithium batteries and 14.6v is the MAXIUM safe charge voltage not the required charging voltage and to this, he chucked a wobbly and banded me.


That FB page is going nowhere.


He has given me the idea of getting my FB page set up to answer questions for those not fortunate enough to have Land Rovers?

[Redtail]

Hi Southseas, there was a question raised by someone with a Ford Ranger, who wanted to make some changes to his existing setup.

I suggested he see a Ford dealer and have his SMART alternator function turned off and he could then use a basic VSR ( I did not mention mine ).

The FB page admin came in and stated he would be better to have the DC/DC device, so he could charge lithium batteries.

I came back and posted the with the SMART alternator function turned off, all he needed to charge a lithium battery was an ignition controlled relay.

The admin then stated you need 14.6v to fully charge a lithium battery, to which I suggested he look at the secs for lithium batteries and 14.6v is the MAXIUM safe charge voltage not the required charging voltage and to this, he chucked a wobbly and banded me.


That FB page is going nowhere.


He has given me the idea of getting my FB page set up to answer questions for those not fortunate enough to have Land Rovers?

You may regret that. As well-intentioned as you may feel, and as necessary as it may be to have a source of expert advice, you'll still have to deal with nobbers as an admin.
I'd suggest saving yourself the headache. [smilebigeye]

[drivesafe]

You may regret that. As well-intentioned as you may feel, and as necessary as it may be to have a source of expert advice, you'll still have to deal with nobbers as an admin.
I'd suggest saving yourself the headache. [smilebigeye]
Yep, I think I need to have a good think about it first!

[DiscoJeffster]

I left the group because I felt I was getting older my the year for every minute I read the posts. So much stupid in those posts