Locking with the bonnet up

Short trips and infrequent use are the main reasons I guess.
Alternator doesn't keep up with usage.
Regards
Barry

I don't need to open the bonnet. I put my D4 batteries (x2) on charge about once every 3 to 4 months just to be sure. I don't use the connections under the bonnet but rather charge via the andersen plug at the rear of the vehicle which is part of my Traxide dual battery system.

The D4 remains locked up while the battery charging takes place. As the Meercat says 'Simples':angel:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuart02

I just pop the charger in the engine bay and shut the bonnet... No harm no foul?

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That's all I do.

Simples ! :)

Sent from my iPad using Braille

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGM

I don't need to open the bonnet. I put my D4 batteries (x2) on charge about once every 3 to 4 months just to be sure. I don't use the connections under the bonnet but rather charge via the andersen plug at the rear of the vehicle which is part of my Traxide dual battery system.

The D4 remains locked up while the battery charging takes place. As the Meercat says 'Simples':angel:

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Same here. ;)

And when we're camping out with fridge running etc - a portable fold-out solar panel with its own controller is plugged into the same Anderson plug to keep up with consumption.

I often run three batteries when travelling / camping. As well as the charging battery and the Optima yellow top under the bonnet as part of the Traxide DBS, there's an Engel battery pack in behind the drawers / fridge that has various switched outlets / gauge etc. This battery pack is also connected to the Traxide DBS. Plugging in via the rear external Anderson plug overnight occasionally brings all three batteries up to full charge.

Works for me. :D

The reason I want to charge at home is the car will be left idle for a few weeks.

I have connected the charger to a weekly timer so that the charger will kick in once a week.

A point made previously about not locking the car up is that it will use more charge.

So if I leave my car with bonnet up and not on charge will it use significant battery charge ?

I have found that after leaving my car for a couple of weeks I got the low battery warning. I have a traxide dual battery set up so did not expect this.

As mentioned you can charge the aux battery via the traxide Anderson plug and you can charge the main battery via the white round plug
Is one approach better than the other ?

Richard

Hi Richard
I think either way would work.
I charge via the rear anderson plug that's part of the Traxide DBS.
I do have a plug that's compatible with the white round socket at the rear - still in its original packaging unopened. If you want it, PM me your address and I'll send it to you. For free - but only because you're a fellow D4 and AOR owner.
Cheers
Ron

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wbowner

As mentioned you can charge the aux battery via the traxide Anderson plug and you can charge the main battery via the white round plug

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I understood that the Traxide kit rear Anderson plug will charge both the cranking and aux batteries due to the way the batteries are connected. Happy to stand corrected on this if I'm wrong. Tim will confirm.

Cheers,
Scott

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RHS58

Hi Richard
I think either way would work.
I charge via the rear anderson plug that's part of the Traxide DBS.
I do have a plug that's compatible with the white round socket at the rear - still in its original packaging unopened. If you want it, PM me your address and I'll send it to you. For free - but only because you're a fellow D4 and AOR owner.
Cheers
Ron

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Ron
Many thanks for the offer but I already have one.

I have used it to charge the car but ended up connecting the CTek connectors to battery which makes charging very easy.

So I have 3 options.

I will try the Anderson plug approach next.

I had not picked up by on you being Ron from AOR, a good mob of people there

Thanks again,

Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LRD414

I understood that the Traxide kit rear Anderson plug will charge both the cranking and aux batteries due to the way the batteries are connected. Happy to stand corrected on this if I'm wrong. Tim will confirm.

Cheers,
Scott

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Scott
That is my understanding as well, I just didn't phrase it well above.

I meant to say charge both via the Anderson plug, like wise if you use the white plug you are charging both but this time via the main battery. All due to traxide connections.

However I think I have read that if the batteries got flat then this may not work, but will leave to Tim to explain.

Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wbowner

Scott
That is my understanding as well, I just didn't phrase it well above.

I meant to say charge both via the Anderson plug, like wise if you use the white plug you are charging both but this time via the main battery. All due to traxide connections.

However I think I have read that if the batteries got flat then this may not work, but will leave to Tim to explain.

Richard

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If the Anderson plug is wired to the auxillary battery in normal circumstances you will be charging both batteries.

But if the main battery voltage is around 12v or lower and the traxide relay has dropped out,you will be charging the auxiliary battery only.
In this case the only way to charge the main battery would be through the main battery terminals,or possibly through the white plug.

I have the Cteck plug permanently wired to the main battery,therefore both batteries are charged.If the traxide relay has dropped out,it doesn't take long before it comes in,as it senses the voltage on the main battery only.