Dual battery system recommendations?

[wardh]

Hi everyone

Now the old Discovery 1 has gone I am starting to set up the D3 with all the goodies I had on the old girl. The first thing I want to do is set up a dual battery system. Can you recommend a system and does anyone know of a brand capacity and model battery that will fit in the box under the bonnet on the drivers side.

Thanks in advance

Howard

[Tombie]

Traxide... Only one approved by LR (warranty)... And better value than the others too. Does a complete kit for a D3

Contact drivesafe on this forum...

www.traxide.com.au (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/www.traxide.com.au)

[daveyb]

These are getting good reviews in the States.
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/odyssey/

[Tombie]

These are getting good reviews in the States.
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/odyssey/

Over here though I'd go Exide Orbital Blue...

Better battery - Can be had for $200 ish....

Using Traxide system they perform like a larger battery. Due to the way it works.

Having ran Odyssey, Optima and Exide... I'd go Exide anyday...
And Odyssey would be at the bottom of my list....

[extreme]

traxide

[Redback]

Over here though I'd go Exide Orbital Blue...

Better battery - Can be had for $200 ish....

Using Traxide system they perform like a larger battery. Due to the way it works.

Having ran Odyssey, Optima and Exide... I'd go Exide anyday...
And Odyssey would be at the bottom of my list....


Mike the Exide Orbital is over $300 now because of the $, I was going to get one after I saw where yours was, I ended up getting a Fullriver for $230 from All Purpose Batteries Pty Ltd (http://allpurposebatteries.com.au/shop/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=41) it's on special at the moment.

With the traxide unit it will perform very well, can't recommend Traxide highly enough, very good products and Tim is a good helpful bloke.

Baz.

Baz.

[drivesafe]

Hi Howard, try the two links below, they are two system that are available that are specifically designed for the D3 and RRS.

Have a look at both pages as there are a number of options to meet different requirements.

SC40-LR Plug-&-Play kits (http://www.traxide.com.au/D3.html)

SC80-LR Plug-&-Play kits (http://www.traxide.com.au/D3_8.html)

Also have a look at this link to the Verandah Section of AULRO to the thread about the SC80-LR-FPC Kit which shows you most of the instructions for one of the kit and will give you an idea of whats involved.

D3 Full Power Cable Kit Installation (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/verandah/62580-traxide-full-power-cable-kit-d3.html)

[wardh]

Thanks to all for the information.

Drivesafe thanks for the links the system that you have is realy neat and well thought out.

Now for the strange part. When I purchased this vehicle it was pointed out to me that the previous owner had fitted a power outlet to the back. When looking at the links I thought that what was in my vehicle already seemed to match the discription of one of the setups, so I looked closer and it appears that this vehicle had been set up with a heavy duty cable to the rear and a fused outlet fitted to the passenger side just inside the tail gate but it does not work. I followed the cable back and found it taped up. Humm seems like it may have had a dual system in it but it has beeen removed.

If this is the case and the cableing is already in place, do all I need to get it going is the controller SC80 and a battery?

Howard

[rick130]

<snip>
And Odyssey would be at the bottom of my list....

Not having experience with the other two brands of batteries that Tombie lists, but having used a few Odysseys on farm equipment, I'm not overly impressed either.

I was a cheapskate and used two SuperCharge Gold calcium/calcium expanded grid batteries in the Defender, and one in the Patrol.
The Patrol one just did a cell a few weeks back after four or five years, (I never checked the water and it had quite a few full discharges after SWMBO left lights on :rolleyes: ) the Defender ones are still OK (ATM).

[CaverD3]

With a bit of careful grinding you can a fit a Varta 80AH battery in.($250)
I put a Super Charge 60AH in as I am a cheapskate too. ($170) I only need 60AH as I am not running a lot from the second battery just electronics (Netbook, stereo screen and UHF)

[drivesafe]

I followed the cable back and found it taped up. Humm seems like it may have had a dual system in it but it has beeen removed.

If this is the case and the cableing is already in place, do all I need to get it going is the controller SC80 and a battery?

Hi wardh, if your only going to be powering some power sockets in the rear then all you will need is the SC40-LR Plug-&-Play kit as this has the controller and cable to be able to connect from the cranking battery to the Auxiliary battery.

You may need to fit a 30 amp circuit breaker on the cable going to the rear cargo area if it hasn’t already go one in place and the only other thing you need is the battery.

There is no need for a battery tray and the kit has the Land Rover battery bracket supplied.

If you have an Anderson plug at the back of the your D3 then you will need the SC80-LR Plug-&-Play kit so you can charge two Auxiliary batteries at the same time.

Cheers, drivesafe.

[wardh]

CaverD3 what do you have to grind off to fit the Varta? I want to run my 60l Waeco fridge so the bigger capacity battery the better. The Varta you are talking about I suppose is a deep cycle and would you know the model number of the battery.

Cheers

Howard

[Redback]

You didn't happen to buy this D3 in the Padstow/Revesby area did you.

Baz.

[CaverD3]

CaverD3 what do you have to grind off to fit the Varta? I want to run my 60l Waeco fridge so the bigger capacity battery the better. The Varta you are talking about I suppose is a deep cycle and would you know the model number of the battery.

Cheers

Howard

You will need to grind some nibs off the battery box (there is a series of vanes there) You will also need to take some of the nib at the bottom of the battery.

Model No: VARTA SEMI TRACTION 956 002 000 3100

VARTA. The power behind. And beyond. (http://pmd.varta-automotive.com/pmd2/showBatterieDetail.do;jsessionid=112D485702513F4EA 1887784F49687AA?ArtikelNr=9560020003100)

See this thread:

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Varta Deep Cycle (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic28464-15.html)

Confirm when you have done it. It looked to me as if it would work.:)

[wardh]

Redback. No this vehicle was not from the areas you mentioned.

CaverD3. I removed the cover off the Aux battery box and could see the vanes you mentioned. It should not be an issue to remove them. The Varta battery measures L-278mm W-175mm H-190mm. The length inside the box as near as I could see is 280mm between the box and the brake master cylinder. Height and width should not be an issue.

The first project is a roof rack should have it in the next day or two. Then front spring lift, (Its a coiler) the rear has been done. then driving lights or the dual battery system I will keep you informed as I go.

Also further investigation of the wireing in the vehicle has proved to find that it has not had a dual battery system before. It is wireing for electric trailer brakes and the controller has been removed by the previous owner.

Thanks for all the help D3ers

Howard

[stuee]

Mike the Exide Orbital is over $300 now because of the $, I was going to get one after I saw where yours was, I ended up getting a Fullriver for $230 from All Purpose Batteries Pty Ltd (http://allpurposebatteries.com.au/shop/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=41) it's on special at the moment.

With the traxide unit it will perform very well, can't recommend Traxide highly enough, very good products and Tim is a good helpful bloke.

Baz.

Baz.


Im a bit confused over the fullriver batteries being offered by this supplier. they say this particular battery has 550cca (fine for my petrol) but looking at the spec sheet supplied by fullriver for that model it only has a 400cca capacity. The first battery to have the 550cca is the 100ah unit according to fullriver.

http://www.fullriver.com/products/admin/upfile/DC55-12.pdf (55ah spec sheet)
http://www.fullriver.com/products/admin/upfile/DC100-12.pdf (100ah spec sheet)
Welcome to Fullriver.com (http://www.fullriver.com/products/dclist.asp) (12v battery overview)

Now Im not sure if they've listed the wrong part numbers on All Purpose Batteries but they seem to list incorrect CCA ratings for the batteries. ie 550 cca for the 55ah and 990cca for the 100ah when really its 400 and 500cca respectivly.

All Purpose Batteries Pty Ltd (http://allpurposebatteries.com.au/shop/index.php?cPath=58&osCsid=2d01ff5427f67cea6475856632432d2c)


I'll probably end up getting something close to the 100ah capacity battery as my second battery. Not for its cca but for the capacity rating. I just thought this info might be useful for anyone intending on purchasing from that supplier. Although please correct me if I'm wrong but this is what i have found.

[Redback]

Im a bit confused over the fullriver batteries being offered by this supplier. they say this particular battery has 550cca (fine for my petrol) but looking at the spec sheet supplied by fullriver for that model it only has a 400cca capacity. The first battery to have the 550cca is the 100ah unit according to fullriver.

http://www.fullriver.com/products/admin/upfile/DC55-12.pdf (55ah spec sheet)
http://www.fullriver.com/products/admin/upfile/DC100-12.pdf (100ah spec sheet)
Welcome to Fullriver.com (http://www.fullriver.com/products/dclist.asp) (12v battery overview)

Now Im not sure if they've listed the wrong part numbers on All Purpose Batteries but they seem to list incorrect CCA ratings for the batteries. ie 550 cca for the 55ah and 990cca for the 100ah when really its 400 and 500cca respectivly.

All Purpose Batteries Pty Ltd (http://allpurposebatteries.com.au/shop/index.php?cPath=58&osCsid=2d01ff5427f67cea6475856632432d2c)


I'll probably end up getting something close to the 100ah capacity battery as my second battery. Not for its cca but for the capacity rating. I just thought this info might be useful for anyone intending on purchasing from that supplier. Although please correct me if I'm wrong but this is what i have found.

Yes looks like they have the incorrect CCA for these 2 and others, to tell you the truth, I never even noticed, I'm only using it for running the fridge and accessories and as I don't have a switch to isolate the batteries so I can jump start from the auxillary to the main, CCA isn't important, I have a jumper pack as a standby.

Baz.

[WhiteD3]

Any comments on this battery? Would seem to fit without any mods required. $200 at Supercheap.

Century Automotive | Product info (http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=10972&cid=5461&application=25&producttype=5&productsubtype=0&type=33)

[CaverD3]

Doesn't look like it is deep cycle? :confused:

[WhiteD3]

Doesn't look like it is deep cycle? :confused:

No, it's not, just a straight car battery. All I want to run is a few small lights and a sleep ap machine drawing 40va overnight.

2 year warranty.

[CaverD3]

You could probably get a 40AH deep cycle fora lot less my supercharge 60AH was less than $200.

[Bushwanderer]

Generally speaking, starting batteries don't like long, slow discharges, it shortens their life. Conversely, deep cycle batteries don't like sudden discharges, as on starting.

Having said that, marine batteries (& Optima?) seem to be able to cope with both.

[AndrewM]

I've just bought a Varta 60Ah battery for just under $190 in Perth. It fits perfectly without any mods and is hooked up to a Traxide system I've just installed with 2 permanent "normal" 12V outlets plus one Meret plug for the Engel in the rear as well as an Anderson plug for the camper. All is working well.

I got a quote for an Optima Yellow Top battery - about $420! Supposedly a very good battery at 55Ah with hugh CCA and a long life, but in my mind is not value for money in my application.

Following on from the deep cycle vs car battery discussion, I just need to run a fridge, a compressor and a light from time to time so I dont need the huge CCA of a car battery. But I need a battery that will handle multiple discharging and recharging and this is the job of a deep cycle.

In 20 years of FWD, I can count the number of times I have had to jump a flat main battery from an auxiliary on less that one hand. I've also used a car battery as an auxiliary and it was a dismal failure - after going flat a couple of times it would not hold a charge.

[CaverD3]

I got a quote for an Optima Yellow Top battery - about $420! Supposedly a very good battery at 55Ah with hugh CCA and a long life, but in my mind is not value for money in my application.

My thoughts on the Optima as well. (assume thumbs up emoticom)

[jocurran]

I have also bought the Varta 60 Ah Battery for $190 here in Perth, wired through a Traxide System to Anderson Plug at the Rear, Socket for Fridge in the back, UHF Radio, Air Compressor in the engine compartment appears to work well (though perhaps not with all these running at once!) I echo others comments and thanks about Drivesafe:D

[BrewMonkey]

I just ordered a SC80-LR Plug-&-Play + Full Power Cable Kit (literally 5 minutes ago!). There are a few other decent quality options out there, but Tim's (drivesafe) obvious dedication to customer service really swung things in favour of the Traxide system for me. The kit is straightforward, consists of quality components and the fact that I know exactly what it contains and how to fit it before I even order it is great. I'm fairly picky with things I buy and I spent a long time thinking about it, but I'm glad I ordered it. The wife may not be too happy though when it turns up unannounced, but that's my problem...:wasntme: I'll be fitting a Die Hard Platinum battery from Sears here in the USA, which is a great battery by all accounts.

[Bushwanderer]

Hi BrewMonkey,
I echo your comments re Drivesafe. :BigThumb:

I'm unfamiliar with the Die Hard battery, which you mention. I don't know if it's available in Oz.

[BrewMonkey]

The Die Hard battery is effectively a re-badged Odyssey PC1500 but about USD$50 cheaper from Sears. I'm not sure what's available in Oz, and you'll find that there is very mixed opinion on what's worthwhile, so I'd recommend trawling t'internet and making your own mind up. Tombie2 puts Odyssey at the bottom of his list, but then I know some other people who swear by them. Confusing, but I'm happy with what I'm paying (about USD$180).

[WhiteD3]

Best I can do on a Varta deep cycle 60ah is $320 (and hard to find one at that!), an Optima D34 is $355, so being a tight!@# I'm going for an AMP-Tech D48 for $177.

[WhiteD3]

The AMP-Tech D48 (60ah) fits neatly. The LR battery bracket required a major redesign (via vice and hammer) but eventually succumbed and now the battery is securely in place.:D

[CaverD3]

The LR battery bracket required a major redesign (via vice and hammer) but eventually succumbed and now the battery is securely in place.:D

Had to do the same, didn't have a vice though.:o

[djambalawa]

Hey lads I'm driving up my new (2nd hand) D3 from Melbourne to Darwin on Friday... bit hard to take my jumpstart kit with me on the plane so just for safety I'm thinking I'll buy a 2nd battery in melbourne and just chuck it in the back as a backup for now.

Anyone got a recommendation for a commonly available battery that'll fit into both the main and spare battery compartment without any fuss and that will be ok as a basic deep cycle 2nd battery later?

[WhiteD3]

The AMP-Tech D48 (60ah) fits neatly

[CaverD3]

Agree with whiteD3, Amp-tech or the Supercharge one. If you are a tightwad like me.:angel:
If you will want more AHs go for the 80 Varta and adapt it.

[Roger]

Hi, Just for those interested, I got hold of a Yellow Top Optima D34 battery for $316 inc GST. I got it from Batteries Direct (02 9586 4155)
in Mortdale Sydney, although I live near Geelong, I am fortunate to be able to get it down to me freight free. They have a special on at the moment. I tried dozens of other outlets and some asked as high as $449. Also bought a Traxide SC80LR thats being mailed down. Seems like a good product.

[bobzed57]

Hi

I've been following this post and others on dual battery systems with interest. I've ordered the Traxide SC80 jobby and now need to select a battery. My usage will be mainly to run a 55l fridge and a laptop (GPS), probably for not much more than a day or two without driving. I'll also have a camper trailer fitted with 105 and 120AH batteries, which I intend to run in parallel with the car's aux battery for longer stays.

I'm of the view more is better (other than price of course), so I'm trying to get the max AH battery into the hole. I'm a bit of a fan of Fullriver batteries having had a 120AH one in my Touareg as the second battery.

The dimensions as I understand for the aux battery hole are about 280mm long (with some mods to the plastic box) by 170mm wide and probably close to 195mm high. Does that sound right?

I looked at caver3d's post about shoe-horning the Varta 80AH in and from what I can find, 80AH is about the biggest battery than anyone's fitted in the D3 aux hole and according to the specs, it's at 190mm high. The Fullrivers of any decent capacity seem to be too high.

I just checked the batteries direct site and they still have the optima at $316. That said though, I'd be interested in hearing the opinions of those who've installed cheaper batteries particulalry their performace under similar conditions as I might use it.

Thanks

Bob

[drivesafe]

Thanks to all for the information.

Drivesafe thanks for the links the system that you have is realy neat and well thought out.

Now for the strange part. When I purchased this vehicle it was pointed out to me that the previous owner had fitted a power outlet to the back. When looking at the links I thought that what was in my vehicle already seemed to match the discription of one of the setups, so I looked closer and it appears that this vehicle had been set up with a heavy duty cable to the rear and a fused outlet fitted to the passenger side just inside the tail gate but it does not work. I followed the cable back and found it taped up. Humm seems like it may have had a dual system in it but it has beeen removed.

If this is the case and the cableing is already in place, do all I need to get it going is the controller SC80 and a battery?

Howard

Hi warth, it sounds like your D3 was originally set up to power the back of the vehicle from your cranking battery.

My suggestion would be to fit the SC80-LR Plug-&-Play kit as per a normal installation and then just run a heavy positive cable from your Auxiliary Battery Compartment, across the back of the engine bay, to a point where you can join it to the existing installed cable.

[jonesy63]

FWIW, I noticed that the car stereo shop I often frequent has Optima D34 on sale at the moment for $310 - with free shipping for a limited time.

Fhrx Studios - Audio / Visual Specialists (http://www.fastfoursforumscarclub.com/temp/fhrxstudios/specials.asp)

Cheers,
Rob

[stewmair]

Rotronics do a bulletproof three-way charging system to fully charge quicker and fuller than when you add another battery(s) to one in a different state of charge or of different type.

[drivesafe]

Rotronics do a bulletproof three-way charging system to fully charge quicker and fuller than when you add another battery(s) to one in a different state of charge or of different type.

Actually, it doesn't charge quicker, particularly as the D3 has a decent sized alternator and high initial charge voltage. This all means the D3 will charge two and three batteries at the same time and much quicker.

There is also a lot of deliberately misleading info on their site.

Unless you have either a very small alternator or are using VERY thin cable, it doesn’t matter what type of batteries you use or what state of charge they in when you start charging them because once the motor is running, the highest voltage controls the system and the highest voltage is what is coming from the alternator, and this goes for any vehicle, not just the D3.

So there is no need for separated charging set ups.

[CaverD3]

The Rotronics ones I have seen also take up half the engine bay. :o

[discos_galore]

I fitted the Traxide SC40-LR plug and play kit. I did a bit of trying of batteries including the varta but found the Optima Yellow Top D34 fitted without any stuffing around and meant the cover went over the battery without any modification. You can't even tell it's been fitted with the lid on. I have run an engel mt45 fridge for 2 days without starting the car and it was still running fine. I highly recommend the kit and battery combination.

[Roger]

Hi Folks, Just thought I would report that I installed the Traxide SC80LR charge system with no problems what so ever. As they say on their website its plug and play and it is exactly that. Well done to them, and I am a fussy person. The Yellow Top Optima was an A1 fit also. Also ran power to the rear of the D3 for an anderson plug and extra 12V Cig type sockets. Works a treat.:D

[bobzed57]

Thanks for the replies. My Traxide jobby was delivered yesterday. Now to find a cheap Optima battery.

Ta

[Tote]

We've just come back from a month on holidays and the Traxide 80/ Optima yellow top ran the Waeco CF50 fridge continuously at -3 on the indicator the whole time with no issues. The UHF is also wired to the second battery and was left on most of the time.

Regards,
Tote

[daryls]

I am a new Disco 3 owner and currently fitting it out - what route did you take to get the cable back to the rear for the andersen plug?

[WhiteD3]

I am a new Disco 3 owner and currently fitting it out - what route did you take to get the cable back to the rear for the andersen plug?

Behind the drivers side battery compartment there's a grommet; go through there, down through the foot well side panel, then under the plastic door sill plates in both driver's side doors (Careful not to lose the clips). Push the cable up into the space behind the cargo area side panel then reach in from where the jack is stored to grab it.

[drivesafe]

I am a new Disco 3 owner and currently fitting it out - what route did you take to get the cable back to the rear for the andersen plug?

Hi daryls, have a look at the link below, it takes you to the Verandah Section of the forum and to full fitting instructions that show exactly where to run your cable.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/verandah/62580-traxide-full-power-cable-kit-d3.html

[daryls]

Thanks for the response. having directiosn to follow is so much easier than pioneering an approach.

[pohm66]

Well after several years of good service the Optima yellow top gave up the ghost as my dual auxiliary battery.

After our trip around Oz and the heat running the ARB fridge at free camp in a closed up car ( security ) the 55 amp hr just didn't quite cut it so after some research and a lucky find have installed a 75 amp hr now.

A Vision 6FM75 Sealed AGM Battery (258 x 166 x 215mm)

It has M6 screw terminals rather than pillar terminals.

I have run a single cable from the terminal, to keep the overall height as low as possible, to a junction box out of the way for all the wiring... Needs a little tidy up though.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/721.jpg

I have also put some heat sheild insulation to assist as the cover doesn't clip down.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/722.jpg

Due to the extra heat being caught under the cover now that it's not sealed I have put several holes in it to assist air movement to help keep that battery cooler.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/723.jpg

The only other mod was to get a longer battery retainer bolt for the far side.

[unseenone]

I took a few pictures of the route, as well as pictures related to an alternative location for the rear accessory sockets of my Traxide install if it helps for those doing new installations.

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - Traxide SC80-LR (http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=21899)