Dual Batteries

[adonuff]

Hi I have just bought a Series 2 TD5 Discovery, I want to fit a second battery, I have all the bits, but not much room under the bonnet? Anyone got any suggestions? The only answer I can come up with is to put the second battery in the back in a box.

Also wondering if there is an existing plug under the dash for a electric brake controller, (there was one already there in my last 2 Aussie made cars). Or do I have to do the wiring from the controller to the trailer plug from scratch??

adonuff

[rrturboD]

2nd battery D2, no worries...beside the turbo, on the firewall, do a search here and you will find various posts.
see Traxidetronics web site index7 (http://www.traxide.com.au/) for battery controller etc
Drivesafe is active on the forum and will be able to help I am sure. Battery.... I supply Optima batteries to listers all over the country, so have a look at Optima Blue Top (http://www.optimabatteries.com.au/Products/OptimaBlueTop.aspx) and you will get all the specs etc, then PM me and I'll give you a price, courier delivery etc...

[GregTD5]

ARB do a battery tray for the D2, for $72.00.

Greg

[DeanoH]

Here's how I did mine and comment and info from others

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/81374-d2-auxiluary-battery-another-way.html

Never done an internal link before, hope this works.


Deano

[adonuff]

Thanks for your help will have a lookk at your suggestions

[johnclv]

The Kit next to turbo works ok if you want a small battery, but you have to protect it against the heat from the turbo. It kills the battery in short time. I went through battery every two years with it located there

[alien]

Have a look at the pics. in this tread,

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/70785-suitable-battery-dual-battery-set-up.html?highlight=battery

Sent a PM also.

Cheers.

[johnclv]

With the battery there it makes it a bit of a pr.ck to get the oil filter off which is a ***** at the best of times to get off.

Why not just get a big jump starter/mobile battery

Jumpstarters from Porta Power (http://www.portapower.com.au/Products/jumpstarters.htm)

I got one of these and they are great. Handy to have the versatility to take that power anywhere

You can store these babies at any angle/ evenup side down

[adonuff]

Hi and thank you to all that offered Help. I Had a duel battery set up in my Holden Rodeo Tray, the battery lived in the tray in a enclosed battery box to which I fitted a adjustable work light and a cig plug to run the waco and the 100 lt fuel tank pump I used to fill the earthmoving machinery at work. So I have all the bits, touble is they are not going to fit under the bonnet of the Discovery, battery is to big.

The controller I have will keep the Aux battery charged useing 6mm cable and a heavier earth strap, this worked fine in the ute. So my plan is to put the battery and box in the rear of the Discovery, but add a heavy duty plug so the whole thing can be removed when not needed. Think this will work out well for me and I will have a power supply that can be put in the tent for lighting and the fridge.

The only down side to this is that by using 6mm cable I loose the ability to switch the aux battery to start the Discovery if the main one goes flat. (6mm cable will not handle the load and will proberly melt) So i will leave the switch that does that bit out and just carry the aux to the front of the vehicle and use jumper leads.

Some of you might like more information on the controller, which I was really impressed with, think it cost me around a $120.00 and worked perfectly for the last couple of years, simple to wire up and takes up about the size of half a packet of smokes.

I will put up a few pictures of the finished result if anyone is intrested. as I have to do it this way cause I spent a bit more on the vehicle and still have to pay the transfer fees. If anyone wants to know more email me at adonuff@bigpond.com