Second battery in D2 TD5 with rear AC ?

[crossy999]

As the title suggests, I am looking for any advice people may have in installing a second battery in the engine bay of a D2 with TD5 and rear airconditioning; I want to run a 40L fridge for as long as possible without recharging.

My local ARB store says it can't be done due to the rear AC as the pipes are in the way, however a search of posts shows there is a pirahna battery tray for this model disco.

Is the pirahna (BTTD5AC) my only option ? it certainly isn't cheap at around $190! If anyone has any install tips or photo's that would be helpful; also looking for the maximum size battery I could fit in a pirahna type battery tray?
thanks, crossy

[Fluids]

Hey Crossy ... I have a D2a Td5 with rear A/C ... and I have an ARB tray fitted with a 50A/Hr battery & a Surepower isolator ... in the engine bay ... usual spot .... might be lucky enough to squeeze a 60-75A/Hr battery in with a modified battery tie-down method.

It's a tight fit (I tried to remove the tray to identify the Surepower switch - installed UNDER the tray - but couldn't get it out) ... don't know how they got it in there without removing alot of stuff located around the tray area ... but it's there !!

I'll post up a pic' if you wish ... it's just a std ARB tray though, which seems to allow room for the rear A/C pipes ...

Kev..

[Pedro_The_Swift]

There is always the SLS tray underneath,,,

[crossy999]

Thanks Kev, this is good news, looks like its another trip to ARB to pick up a tray; I'll be installing myself so if you could post a couple of pics that would be very helpful :)

Pedro, the SLS tray is not an option I'm afraid as I am quite attached to my air sprung rear suspension. If I can indeed fit a battery tray in the engine bay I'll be happy.

[Fluids]

Thanks Kev, this is good news, looks like its another trip to ARB to pick up a tray; I'll be installing myself so if you could post a couple of pics that would be very helpful :)

.


Here's 2x I've got at the moment. You can see the A/C pipes RHS of battery. The battery clamp LHS if removed allows a bigger battery.

Realistically, the only way this installation is possible ('cause the Isolator is mounted inside/underneath the battery tray - yea' cant get a spanner on it once it's installed) is to connect ALL cables first to isolator/tray, then mount tray w/cables+isolator attached, then run cables.

I believe from my service records (prev' owner) the system was installed by Repco (neat job btw)... and I'm assuming it was an ARB kit ... the tray & isolator certainly are ARB. The + wire to the breaker, goes to a 12pin trailer plug at rear. The thin + wire with the red fuse holder goes to the (i believe) cabin fuse box & then powers the rear compartment 12v outlet permanantley, and independantley of the cars main 12v battery. The isolator is wired to assist/join batteries on start. So far ithe systems worked very well.

ARB had 2x trays if I'm not mistaken ... No Rear A/C / With Rear A/C ... but I could be mistaken

I"ll try & get a couple more with the battery out.

[crossy999]

That's great Kev, thanks for that info, my AC pipes look to be in the same area as those in your photo so looking good.
I have ordered the ARB tray (they only have one type for the D2; it was pirahna which had two versions); should arrive on Monday, fingers crossed.

[Fluids]

" ... but I could be mistaken "

Told you so ! :)

That's great then. 1 x only ARB tray, same as mine.

Hope you've got a shoe-horn !! :eek:



Kev..

[wardy1]

May I suggest you make a heat shield from aluminium to deflect the turbo heat from your battery. It's pretty simple to pop rivet a couple of bits to the tray before you install it.
HEAT is the BIGGEST ENEMY of your very expensive deep cycle battery!

[that_kid]

ive got the rear aircon in mine but i have done away witht he 3rd row seats. Havent done it yet but im going to have a go at putting my second battering in the big space left by the seat on the drivers side. Im looking for the storage bin that fills that space at the moment so if i can get it to fit behind the trim it will hidden. If its too small for a bat the compressor will def be going in there.


just a different idea to try

[crossy999]

Battery tray delivery is delayed... hopefully tomorrow..

Unfortunately removal of rear seats is not an option for me as the car spends its day ferrying kids back and forth; not too sure on the legalities of removing the rear seats either, I have heard the RTA consider this to be a vehicle defect.. could make insurance claims difficult ??

I did look at a "brief case" 105A/hr AGM battery (58x13x29cm) on the weekend, looks like it would slip in behind the fridge and back seat; not my ideal solution but a fall back incase I have trouble fitting the battery tray under the bonnet.
crossy

[goofyr]

I went for a portable Ark power pack with a 105AH AGM battery in the back. Yeah it takes up room, but it'll make us pack lighter and has larger capacity.

I got a Redarc isolator installed in the engine bay with wiring to the back. I connect the power pack via an anderson plug. It gives me the option to move the power pack when I need, to run lights or even my portable compressor away from the vehicle.

Cheers,
goof

[Cannon]

how much was the ARK pack as I'm considering going that way myself?

[jwb]

ive got the rear aircon in mine but i have done away witht he 3rd row seats. Havent done it yet but im going to have a go at putting my second battering in the big space left by the seat on the drivers side. Im looking for the storage bin that fills that space at the moment so if i can get it to fit behind the trim it will hidden. If its too small for a bat the compressor will def be going in there.


just a different idea to try

there is space in the quarter behind this bin for your compressor so you should get both in there. Pull the grill off and look.

[CJT]

there is space in the quarter behind this bin for your compressor so you should get both in there. Pull the grill off and look.

A little of topic, but how does having the compressor installed behind trim go with heat etc?

I know the portable compressors get to hot too touch after a little bit of use.

[jwb]

if it's been running a while I leave the hose out a while to let the compressor cool down before packing away in the same compartment. haven't had a problem.

[goofyr]

how much was the ARK pack as I'm considering going that way myself?

$149 from BCF you can get one a lot cheaper but this has a built in AC battery charger.