Thread: Auxiliary battery.

If you are just looking at an aux battery - why are you looking at a Supercharge which is a compromise battery - part starter part deepcycle. Does both OK but not the greatest at either.

Having said that I do have a Supercharge as the Aux in my 101 where it does run the fridge etc but also the ignition and 12v accessories but start is from the 24v battery bank. I also have a Supercharge as the starter in the RRS as it does meet starting specs and is best value for money but not expected to last as long as better starters that are twice the price (dont give twice the life).

I believe if you arrange the overflow bottle etc - a full size battery will go in front of the starter but under the ABS box you will need something like a 50Ah Yellow Top - if you believe the talk the 50Ah Yellow Top works like like a 75Ah normal deep cycle. Not totally convinced.

Garry

That's all right. I'll swap you my brand new Century 55D23R MF (230X170X210) 60 ah for it

Deano

Originally Posted by garrycol

........................................ is best value for money but not expected to last as long as better starters that are twice the price (dont give twice the life).

.................................. 50Ah Yellow Top - if you believe the talk the 50Ah Yellow Top works like like a 75Ah normal deep cycle. Not totally convinced.

Garry

Nothing wrong with SuperCharge batterys, I've had several over the years and they are my SLA battery of choice. As you say, excellent value for money and are as good as or better than their competition. I've found that the marine N70ZZ variant to be especially good in high vibration (corrugation) applications and definitely outlasts its competitors.

Optima batterys are as good as they're made out to be, or better IMO. I've got 3 that have been carted all over the country in the Oka and have lasted 7 years and are still going strong. IMO the Optimas greatest strength is its vibration damage immunity and it's ability to store charge very quickly. A great benefit if traveling in 'short hops' as they can be fully charged a lot quicker than conventional lead acid batterys.

Deano

I was under the impression the optima yellow top can be used as both start and deep cycle.

Cheers Ean

Hi Loanrangie, with the D3 battery compartment on the driver’s side, the only battery that fits without the need of any form of modification is the Optima D34 Yellowtop.


I have heard that there may be an Odyssey that will as well, but I know nothing more than that.


If you fit a battery tray on the passenger side, just in front of the cranking battery compartment, you can fit another Optima yellowtop D34 there as well.


There are a number of other small batteries that can be fitted in the same spot in front of cranking battery but the size increase is so small it is just not worth going beyond the Optima D34 which is a 55Ah battery.


As DeanoH posted, the Optima can be rapid charged and in a very short period of time compered to other batteries, and if you really wanted to you can fit two Optimus under the bonnet of a D3 and “some” D4s.

I already have supercharge battery which is why I measured to see if it fits, would like a 75/85ah at least just a shame my battery won't fit as it's a cost I didn't need .
Also my last sc battery lasted 7 1/2 years as a main and I can buy 2 for the price of 1 optima.

While not the ideal solution, you could mount the auxiliary battery in the rear cargo area.

Originally Posted by Ean Austral

I was under the impression the optima yellow top can be used as both start and deep cycle.

Cheers Ean

When I had my J**p Wrangler diesel, it came with the D34 Yellow top as standard battery. Mine lasted 3 1/2 years.