Thread: ARB Battery Tray NLA

Originally Posted by Mundy

Mr Bear,
I have one in my engine bay but had to move the second battery to the rear as the heat from the turbo kept cooking the batteries (I have a Td5). I will be relocating my air compressor from the rear to the tray. Would not recommend second battery in the engine bay if you have a Td5.

Hi Mundy, its catch 22 I guess, I realise the consequences of a shorter life with a "hot" battery in the engine bay, and yes I have a TD5 (is there another option? ), I just wanted to make life easy with the install position as I use the boot area and my luggage bins fairly regularly and didnt want 20kilo's of battery further cluttering the back.

Thanks to all the members who are posting comments

Cheers / Andy

Originally Posted by PhilipA

Yes AFAIR the computer at the West Gosford ARB dealer showed 22 in stock in ARB Melbourne about 3 months ago.

Maybe they have sold them all but unlikely IMHO.
Regards Philip A

Hi Phillip, thanks for that, I will try ringing a couple of other Sydney ARB's as I have to say the "churn" of staff at St Peters is considerable. Everytime I walk in there they greet me like a new customer, and I work 500m up the road and have spent a quid or two with them. I have to say I would love to like my local ARB better as their products are good.
Cheers / Andy

Originally Posted by Mundy

Mr Bear,
I have one in my engine bay but had to move the second battery to the rear as the heat from the turbo kept cooking the batteries (I have a Td5). I will be relocating my air compressor from the rear to the tray. Would not recommend second battery in the engine bay if you have a Td5.

What sort of a battery was it?
I've had a d34 Optima (AGM), there for 5 years with no dramas, and no heat shield. It ran an 80l a fair bit, and then a 60l constantly.

Gel batteries shouldn't be under bonnets. Some AGMs are no good there either. You shouldn't have a drama with an d34.

Ditto . I have an Optima D34 marine 750CCA starting battery. Optima reckon they handle heat better than any other battery.
I guess we will see.
I have made a stainless heat shield and covered it both sides with reflective aluminium tape and also fitted a battery blanket from ABR. Maybe overkill but I am also considering a duct and electric fan.
Regard sPhilip A

This is my setup.
I had to pull mine out, and put it back in this week, so i thought I'd take some pics.
I have a redarc BCDC1240, that I mount on the rear of the tray.

The previous D34 was in there for 5 years with no heatshield, (though it's a good idea), and it's still good as gold.
The relay is a set up for solar plug in.

I have a cradle strap over the top, that I havent refitted yet.



Crappy pic of DC Charge at rear

Originally Posted by FenianEel

What sort of a battery was it?
I've had a d34 Optima (AGM), there for 5 years with no dramas, and no heat shield. It ran an 80l a fair bit, and then a 60l constantly.

Gel batteries shouldn't be under bonnets. Some AGMs are no good there either. You shouldn't have a drama with an d34.

I had a liquid lead acid (recommended byARB with their tray) and that was a big mistake. Not only did it not last it spilt acid everywhere. Then an AGM which was supposed to take the heat.

The D34 is only 55Ah. I removed my rear left storage bin side and put in a 105Ah battery there and built a box to sit above it so I didn't lose all the storage space (kept about 40%). Existing storage bin lid closes on top of the new bin so looks normal.

There have been a few past threads extensively covering second battery options and installs, including pictures of different setups, including mine. Worth a look if you are considering using a rear storage bin or putting under bonnet (different locations and battery sizes).

Just got an email from Brad @ ARB Thomastown in response to a query sent via the ARB website saying the D2 battery trays are still available.

FWIW I've had a Supercharge Allrounder MRV48 (60ah) in an ARB tray for just under two years and it's still going strong.
It's nothing flash and while the name doesn't start with O and it's not an AGM it has been reliable.

cheers
Paul

Originally Posted by OffTrack

Just got an email from Brad @ ARB Thomastown in response to a query sent via the ARB website saying the D2 battery trays are still available.

FWIW I've had a Supercharge Allrounder MRV48 (60ah) in an ARB tray for just under two years and it's still going strong.
It's nothing flash and while the name doesn't start with O and it's not an AGM it has been reliable.

cheers
Paul

They're not available anymore & ARB don't have any stock in the warehouse. Try and order one.
I've had MRV48s and they didn't last 3 years, nor did they hold charge anywhere near as long as the D34. They were cheap, but I found them really disappointing.