Traxide

Hi,
I've got a 2008 D3 Petrol V6 which is pretty much stock but we still find it very capable :) When we go camping we have a battery box with a 140Ah AGM battery that runs the fridge and lights fro 3-4 days and we can top it up with a solar panel. The battery box is charged at home before we leave.

I'm now planning and preparing for a trip to Cape York in September and I am looking for the best way to charge my battery box in the rear while driving and also be able to connect the solar panel when we have the chance.

What Traxide setup would be best for something like this where I don't have an auxiliary battery in the front? Can I run a positive to the rear and mount a standard SC-80 or DT90 in the rear with an Anderson plug to connect the battery box? If so, what cable thickness should I go for?

Alternatively should it be mounted in the engine bay with cables run from the isolator to the rear for charging?

Or would a regular DC charger be the best option as I don't have an extra battery mounted in the car permanently?


Thank you for any recommendations and insight.

Regards
Sindre

Hi Sindre, I now have an SC80 with 50 amp Anderson plugs fitted.

This new uint is specifically designed to be fitted between the power supply cable coming from the cranking battery and the battery box.

This setup allows you to have all the benefit of the SC80 while driving, but you can remove the SC80 when you remove the battery box.

This also makes it much easier to move the battery box from one vehicle to another.

You will still need to run 6B&S ( 13.5mm2 ) cable from the cranking battery and mount a fuse or circuit breaker in the positive cable, close to the cranking battery.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Sindre, I now have an SC80 with 50 amp Anderson plugs fitted.

This new uint is specifically designed to be fitted between the power supply cable coming from the cranking battery and the battery box.

This setup allows you to have all the benefit of the SC80 while driving, but you can remove the SC80 when you remove the battery box.

This also makes it much easier to move the battery box from one vehicle to another.

You will still need to run 6B&S ( 13.5mm2 ) cable from the cranking battery and mount a fuse or circuit breaker in the positive cable, close to the cranking battery.

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Thank you, that sounds like a good option. Are they available on the website yet?

As I understand, I would also be able to mount it as a regular SC80 in the future if I want to have a permanently installed aux battery in the front?

Compared to USI-160, would that isolator give any real benefits when not using winch or needing the jump starting function?

Regards
Sindre

Hi again Sindre, I am in the process of upgrading my website and once that is done, the new SC80, the SC80-AP, plus a couple of other new products, including a new 24v SC80, will be on my site.

You can easily set the SC80-AP up in the engine bay if you change your system around.

PLEASE NOTE, most of my products will be increasing in price when I finish upgrading my website but for now, I can supply the SC80-AP for $175, including postage, for AULRO members.

As for comparing the SC80 with a USI-160. unless you are fitting an electric winch, there is no advantage to installing the USI-160, and you will need to fit an auxiliary battery under the bonnet, and not use your battery box, as the cable distance to the rear defeats the ability for linking batteries for winching.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drivesafe

[FONT=&amp]As for comparing the SC80 with a USI-160. unless you are fitting an electric winch, there is no advantage to installing the USI-160, and you will need to fit an auxiliary battery under the bonnet, and not use your battery box, as the cable distance to the rear defeats the ability for linking batteries for winching.

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Just butting in here Tim, I really liked the ability to jump the starter from the second battery in the Defender with the USI160.

I need to get a new isolator for the Disco and was leaning that way again, even though I don't have a winch on the Disco.

Thoughts?

Hi Rick, I like making money and I am quite happy to sell you a USI-160, but I also like to supply customers with the system that best meets their specific needs.

In most cases, the SC80 or DT90 usually does a better job, if there is no winch involved.

I find most people, without winches, want to buy the USI-160, incase they need to jump start at some time.

When both batteries are under the bonnet, the USI-160 will do the job MOST OF THE TIME.

But so will a single jumper lead, connected positive ( + ) battery terminal to positive ( + ) battery terminal. The negative ( - ) terminals are already connected.

Be aware, if the cranking battery is flat, you should be able to jump start off the other battery.

BUT, if the cranking battery has dropped a cell, you will need to jump start from another vehicle, with its motor running.

So the ability to jump start may not be that advantageous when compared with the advantages the SC80 and DT90 offer over the USI-160.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi again Sindre, I am in the process of upgrading my website and once that is done, the new SC80, the SC80-AP, plus a couple of other new products, including a new 24v SC80, will be on my site.

You can easily set the SC80-AP up in the engine bay if you change your system around.

PLEASE NOTE, most of my products will be increasing in price when I finish upgrading my website but for now, I can supply the SC80-AP for $175, including postage, for AULRO members.

As for comparing the SC80 with a USI-160. unless you are fitting an electric winch, there is no advantage to installing the USI-160, and you will need to fit an auxiliary battery under the bonnet, and not use your battery box, as the cable distance to the rear defeats the ability for linking batteries for winching.

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Great, I'll send you an email for the order.

I always carry a lithium starter just in case so I'm covered for starting problems :)

Sindre

Hi Sigul, my website is not an E-commerce site so just phone me when you are ready to place your order and I'll have it in the mail to you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi again Sindre, I am in the process of upgrading my website and once that is done, the new SC80, the SC80-AP, plus a couple of other new products, including a new 24v SC80, will be on my site.

You can easily set the SC80-AP up in the engine bay if you change your system around.

PLEASE NOTE, most of my products will be increasing in price when I finish upgrading my website but for now, I can supply the SC80-AP for $175, including postage, for AULRO members.

As for comparing the SC80 with a USI-160. unless you are fitting an electric winch, there is no advantage to installing the USI-160, and you will need to fit an auxiliary battery under the bonnet, and not use your battery box, as the cable distance to the rear defeats the ability for linking batteries for winching.

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Hello Drivesafe

Sorry for jumping in here....

Is the SC80-AP still available at $175 as I believe this is the system I require for my current fit out. I have the Baintech battery box (100ah) and would require a Blue Anderson plug fitted as the is the power input (car) would it be possible to have this made up to suit my requirements?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by theh33d

Is the SC80-AP still available at $175 as I believe this is the system I require for my current fit out. I have the Baintech battery box (100ah) and would require a Blue Anderson plug fitted as the is the power input (car) would it be possible to have this made up to suit my requirements?

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HI and unless there have been some changes, you use the Grey Anderson plug on that battery box, and as such, the standard SC80-AP is all you need.


The SC80-AP is now an off-the-shelf product, I just have not had time to upgrade my web site and until I upgrade my website, the price is still $175, plus postage.