Thread: Defender dual battery tray

Originally Posted by jik22

Was talking to the guys at Frogs Island 4x4 in the UK today after spotting a dual battery tray for the Defender in their ad in LRO International. Basically, it just flattens the floor in the seat box far more profesionally than I've done with lumps of wood, and gives you the clamps to bolt the batteries down too. It's based on using a pair of Optimas, but should fit anything similar sized.

I'm toying with ordering one, and am awaiting a postage quote, but there is a possibility of a discount for ordering a few, plus more economical postage - so, would anyone else be interested?

Pirahna does one too... So do Rovacraft in WA....

Originally Posted by tombraider

Pirahna does one too... So do Rovacraft in WA....

The Pirahna one I saw was v expensive though....and I was in Rovacraft today..should have thought to ask.

LandRover do one too....

M

Jeff
When you need a controler,look at the Traxide ones Drivesafe on here makes.I had one on the Trytoo which I have retained for either the Disco or Rangie.
They are very good,solved my dual battery problems.He also makes the only approved dual battery controler for the D3(just incase the Mrs needs one!!!!)
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Jeff
When you need a controler,look at the Traxide ones Drivesafe on here makes.I had one on the Trytoo which I have retained for either the Disco or Rangie.
They are very good,solved my dual battery problems.He also makes the only approved dual battery controler for the D3(just incase the Mrs needs one!!!!)
Andrew

I've got a simple diode/solenoid one in at the moment (Just starter battery isolation and aux charging when main is over a certain voltage) but I've started hearing a couple of UK friends talk about memory problems on their deep cycle batteries on this type of setup, so want to ensure what I replace it with does some kind of intelligent charging. Was looking at the Piranha, but did mean to email the guy with some questions about the SC80 and how it works too, as it's substantially cheaper!

Originally Posted by camel_landy

LandRover do one too....

M

Bet that's cheap....I'm still getting over 4 x $37 for plastic aircon vents!

Originally Posted by jik22

I've started hearing a couple of UK friends talk about memory problems on their deep cycle batteries on this type of setup

Hi jik22, there is actually no such thing as a memory problem when using any form of automotive battery.

What will seem like a memory problem when using a diode isolator is that these types of isolators will never fully charge either battery ( unless the voltage regulator is modified ) and so the batteries not only never have their full potential capacity available, plus consistently under charging a battery will ultimately shorten it’s life.

As to meters and dual battery set-ups, the short of it is don’t waste your money.

The vast majority of so called “ Battery Monitors “ are nothing more than hugely over priced volt meters and a volt meter will not give you any real info as to the state of the batteries remaining stored capacity.

There are genuine battery monitors on the market that will give you a very good indication as to the state of the battery but they start at about $500 and require more installation work than the original dual battery system requires.

The best tool you can have for keeping an eye on your batteries and can be used for a host of other jobs around the vehicle and for other hobbies, is a $10 multi meter.

Cheers.

PS jik22, I’ll send a reply to your PM shortly.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

The best tool you can have for keeping an eye on your batteries and can be used for a host of other jobs around the vehicle and for other hobbies, is a $10 multi meter.

I have several of those , plus a very simple volt meter gauge in the car for the main battery so I can check charging and charged state quickly for the main battery. Checking the aux properly is a bit of an issue, as you say, so I was hoping the more expensive monitors did far more than simply show me the voltage - seems not!