Traxide - adding a third battery

[ramrod]

I have this kit fitted to my 2010 D4 and am wanting to fit a slim line AGM battery behind the second row seats ( third row removed ) to supplement the under bonnet second battery. The third battery is needed to give extended life to our in car 12 v fridge when we are travelling. The fridge is currently running off the 30amp cig socket. My plan is to power the fridge from the third battery which will be connected to the traxide circuit and topped up by portable solar.
Is it possible to tap into the 30amp cig circuit and add an Anderson plug to charge the third battery or is there a better way ie: tap into the rear Anderson plug circuit.
Cheers
<img src="https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/181587-traxide-adding-third-battery-screenshot_20221030-171536_samsung-notes.jpg" attachmentid="181587" alt="" id="vbattach_181587" class="previewthumb">&nbsp;

[Redtail]

I did a similar thing about 3 years ago with an AGM (90Ah) in a battery box. Just Y-ed a connector from the rear Anderson plug from the Traxide kit.
It's worth giving Tim a call. He was super helpful with advice on doing it safely, especially proper fusing.

Thread here:
Charging a battery box via a Traxide? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/270167-charging-battery-box-via-traxide.html)

And it runs perfectly to this day!

[ramrod]

Thanks, that's about what I figured. An 8AWG 2 into 1 Anderson plug, I already have a 6AWG lead with plugs that would reach the fridge that sits on the passenger side back seat. I also figured on a 50 amp fuse close to the battery. I will also be mounting a solar controller near the battery. Cheers

[jwb]

I'm about to do this as well. I've never used the anderson plug at the tow point so going to pull that back inside and connect to the 3rd battery with fusing or c/b at the battery.
If I ever get around to towing something with a battery in it it's still there.

[BMKal]

I have this set-up in mine. I'm using an Engel battery pack in the back of the vehicle - charge lead for this is plugged directly into one of the two 12V sockets installed with the Traxide kit. I still have the Anderson Plug mounted under my back bumper bar, and run camp lights etc from here, and can also plug in a solar panel during the day which charges both batteries on the Traxide circuit. The second battery (under the bonnet) is a FullRiver DC85-12 deep cycle AGM. My fridge is powered directly from the Engel battery pack mounted behind the drawers in the rear of the vehicle, and is not connected directly to the Traxide circuit at all. This system has worked well for me for about 10 years in this vehicle now.

I also have a "Thunder" battery box with in-built battery charger and inverter which I sometimes take with us on camping trips etc. The original battery in this is on its last legs, and last night I scored a FullRiver DC160-12 deep cycle AGM for $200 (normal retail is over $800). I can also plug this into the Traxide circuit in the rear of the vehicle if I need to, using the second of the 12V sockets - or I can plug via an adaptor lead I have made up into the Anderson plug on the rear of the vehicle when we are camping, and still have the ability to plug in a solar panel. I put the "Thunder" box in the tent and can run my CPAP off the inverter, and other 12V accessories / lights etc from the same box.

181600 181599

Edit: The FullRiver DC160-12 was too long to fit in the Thunderbox, so I had to let that deal go to someone else. Ended up with a new Delkor HDC 27 12V 100Ah battery instead, which fits with plenty of spare room. Not as good as the FullRiver would have been, but will do the job I want it for anyway.

[ramrod]

Thanks everyone, there are some good ideas there. Will have a think about what I need and will post the results. Cheers

[ramrod]

Finished budget battery install181826