Thread: D2 Auxiluary Battery - Another way

Originally Posted by Redback

OK I know people think that a 55/60AH is too small as a second battery, but really they aren't, I have a 55AH in my Disco and it has been fine for 4yrs now, running the fridge and other duties.

BUT for those that want the bigger battery, it will fit in the passenger side rear under the bonnet, if your handy with a welder or just handy at making things, this is my tray and this was our first battery, it was a 75AH Exide lead acid.

The only problem with this type of battery is partly the heat from the turbo, but mostly the TD5 alternator tends to over charge lead acid batteries.

Baz.

Baz
I have mine there too, plus my air compressor...now to be honest I hadn't paid it a lot of attention, it's an Odyssey 380 CCA that is apparently set up to be an emergency starter in the event I flatten the main battery when parked up, but 380 CCA sounds too small for starting...

Cheers
Mike

Originally Posted by 2 rocks

Baz
....... but 380 CCA sounds too small for starting...

Cheers
Mike

I agree, just checked my OEM battery, 900 CCA. But for an overnight aux.battery it would be OK. Two nights would be stretching it though.


......The only problem with this type of battery is partly the heat from the turbo, but mostly the TD5 alternator tends to over charge lead acid batteries.

- Redback

This is part of the reason I went the way I did. I didn't want to cook the battery with the turbo. You'll also cook a non calcium battery with the D2 as it's designed for the higher voltage of the Calcium battery. And for heavens sake don't try a sealed gell cell type, it'll turn into a football. Also I'm a lousy welder and couldnt make a cradle as good as Redbacks.

Deano

I like the look of yours Baz.

Was thinking of buying a tray and installing it there in mine - but now that I've seen your pics .........................

I've got some old galv shelving framework lying around somewhere. All I need to find is something to make up that heat shield and I'm on my way.

Originally Posted by 2 rocks

Baz
I have mine there too, plus my air compressor...now to be honest I hadn't paid it a lot of attention, it's an Odyssey 380 CCA that is apparently set up to be an emergency starter in the event I flatten the main battery when parked up, but 380 CCA sounds too small for starting...

Cheers
Mike

It should start the car as long as there is some charge left in the main battery, I started mine with a 400CCA jumper pack when I flattened mine about 5 years ago.

Originally Posted by DeanoH

I agree, just checked my OEM battery, 900 CCA. But for an overnight aux.battery it would be OK. Two nights would be stretching it though.


......The only problem with this type of battery is partly the heat from the turbo, but mostly the TD5 alternator tends to over charge lead acid batteries.

- Redback

This is part of the reason I went the way I did. I didn't want to cook the battery with the turbo. You'll also cook a non calcium battery with the D2 as it's designed for the higher voltage of the Calcium battery. And for heavens sake don't try a sealed gell cell type, it'll turn into a football. Also I'm a lousy welder and couldnt make a cradle as good as Redbacks.

Deano

Deano I have a 55AH Fullriver AGM in the tray now, with 2 heat shields to protect it, I've just changed my battery for my up coming Cape trip, the previous battery was a 60ah Fullriver AGM and was there for 4 years without any problems.

Originally Posted by BMKal

I like the look of yours Baz.

Was thinking of buying a tray and installing it there in mine - but now that I've seen your pics .........................

I've got some old galv shelving framework lying around somewhere. All I need to find is something to make up that heat shield and I'm on my way.

Yes the heat shield is the most important thing, I have 2 on mine now.

This is a recent photo of my second battery, with the second heat shield, the stuff on the shield is paint, that was my attempt at making it look better as you can see it didn't work

I have since put a bigger gap between the battery and second shield and cleaned it up a bit to improve the look of it.


Baz.

Originally Posted by Hendrik

Nice Job, very neat too.
i thought about putting my second battery in there, as it is away from the heat of the turbo. I put mine in the SLS compressor tray as I have coils. Battery sits nicely in there, been through water, rocks sand everything, and still works fine.

Cheers
Hendrik

Gday hendrik
Ive recently had the bags removed and replaced with springs and lovely big tough dog nine stage adjustables
What size battery did you manage to fit in there? I am going through the where does it go as i have a ES and theres not much room in the engine bay now the snorkel is there. Was it pretty easy to install or did you get someone to do it for you?? Like scale 1-10 and Im a 3-4 on a good day
impressive your road test review
cheers
mat

Originally Posted by DeanoH

I agree, just checked my OEM battery, 900 CCA. But for an overnight aux.battery it would be OK. Two nights would be stretching it though.
Deano

Yes I may have to experiment by disconnecting the primary and see what happens...which may lead to putting in a bigger battery and relocating either the battery or the compressor to...a rear storage bin

Cheers
Mike

Originally Posted by Jedimastermat

Gday hendrik
Ive recently had the bags removed and replaced with springs and lovely big tough dog nine stage adjustables
What size battery did you manage to fit in there? I am going through the where does it go as i have a ES and theres not much room in the engine bay now the snorkel is there. Was it pretty easy to install or did you get someone to do it for you?? Like scale 1-10 and Im a 3-4 on a good day
impressive your road test review
cheers
mat

Hi Matt
I fitted a 75AH Sealed Deep Cycle battery (can't remember the exact mane of the battery type) in the tray and it has to sit on its side as the there is not enough room to put it upright. This is why is has to be a sealed battery as they can be mounted in any position except upside down. The tray is about 290mm long and I think mine is 270mm long so i have about 20mm to play with. I was going to fit a 100AH, but most of them are 300mm long so will not fit.

If you're going to fit it in this tray, it is important that the battery is protected from stones and general bashing off road. Yours being an ES will have the front mud flaps, which helps a lot. I just took an old 20L plastic chemical can and took to it with a cutting disk and it fits nicely around the battery. It does however look rather dodgy, so I will eventually make a nice steel box to protect the battery.

It is a bit of a muck around to get the battery in there, probably give it a 3, as you have to lie your back and shove it in there without dropping it on your head. It is away from the heat of the turbo and can still use both my bins in the back of the car. I've been through creek crossings, beach work, rock work, everything and the battery still holds up fine, not a scratch on it. Might start a thread with pics, as quite a few people want information about this set up.

Cheers
Hendrik

Originally Posted by Hendrik

Hi Matt
It is a bit of a muck around to get the battery in there, probably give it a 3, as you have to lie your back and shove it in there without dropping it on your head.
Cheers
Hendrik

Thanks Hendrik
umm thats the magic phrase I was looking for. As soon as any thing mentions brain damage its an 8-9 / 10 effort.
I dont know why but I have this amazing capacity to have things hit my head

mind you i did knock myself out once trying to open a golf ball with a tommyhawk
but that was self inflicted

alzheimers here i come