Thread: Dual Batteries for 97 Disco

Have a look at these couple of threads for starters.

Dual Battery System For 98 Discovery

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...-system-2.html

Steve

Matt, in our '98 D1 we carry a battery in the back that sits just behind the fridge, (I made a special carrier that safely anchors the battery/fridge in place) and as it sits behind the the fridge it is out of the way on the RHS) ours is a 3 way fridge (240v, 12v, Gas) but would be the same for Engel, Waco, etc, just a power supply. The reason for the battery in the back is because unless you run a really heavy cable, say 4mm sq, you can get a lot of voltage drop and heating of the wire and any switch gear, our fridge typically runs about 11 amps, Waco, Engel are significantly less but have still seen problems with wiring for these and why would you want to re-arrange your engine bay to fit an extra battery.
So all we have is a relatively light wire that runs via an ignition operated relay that links the main (RHS front) battery to that rear battery and keeps it charged.
When the engine is running the batteries are connected and both being charged, when the ignition is off the relay is de-activated and the batteries are "stand alone" isolated, so no risk of flattening the vehicle start battery, and depending on the power draw of your fridge the rear battery supplies power whilst driving or short parks in our case, whilst we camp we run our fridge on gas in the rear of the car with doors open, bedtime we shut it down until the next morning, no risk of fire.
When we get home and the weekend trip or camping holiday is over, the fridge support frame/battery holder comes out of the back of Disco until next time, the fridge reverts to it's most important role as a beer/drinks fridge in the garage.
This system only requires a 30 amp relay (common driving light type) and a few metres of 2.4 mm sq wire with a 15/20 amp fuse and holder, a battery that will substitute for your engine bay battery and a bit of good old ability, very inexpensive, and it works, I have used this in several vehicles.

Hi mat my 2nd battery is in the left front of my 97tdi.

Yep remove the jack and wheel chok and you have a ready made battery holder will put up pic later