Thread: Optima D34 Yellow top or SSB DryCell HVT-50D AGM

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Drive safe. If you look the positive terminal is towards the motor. The wire colours are throwing you off.

All my cables are Welding Cable. Colour coded heat shrink on the lugs as you picked up

Thank Tombie, and yes I was going on the cable colours as I could not enlarge the photo on my desktop.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi rapserv, the SSB HVT-70D is actually 26mm higher than the HVT-50D.

This puts it pretty well up against the bonnet insulation.

NOTE, I changed tray manufacturers late last year and the new trays are slightly longer and will easily accommodate the HVT-70D, but again, they may be a bit too high.

If you and your battery supplier have the time, fit the Traxide battery tray and then go to your battery supplier and place an HVT-70D battery on the tray.

Then and this is a trick another AULRO member, Sniegy, showed me many years ago, when the D4s were first released, remove your grill and passenger side headlight assembly as per the instructions supplied with the Traxide dual battery kit.

NOTE, it only takes about 30 to 45 seconds to remove and refit the grill and headlight assembly.

You can now slowly close the bonnet and place you hand up through the headlight mounting and feel the top of the battery, to see if there is suitable and SAFE clearance.

If you decide to carry out this test, PLEASE let use all know how it goes!

ALSO NOTE, the battery terminals on the HVT batteries can be removed, and all cabling can be bolted directly to the top of the battery, which is the recommended way to fit one of my dual battery kits when using the HVT batteries.

By removing the terminal, which requires an Allan Key, you may improve the clearance enough to make the HVT-70D ( 85Ah ) battery a viable option to HVT-50D ( 60Ah ) battery.

Back again with this reply.

I have just had a long phone conversation with rapserv and unfortunately, at this time, he can not carry out the test fitting with the HVT-70D battery to see if it will clear.

So this is call out for some help.

Rapserv is from Kalgoolie where he can not get asses to a battery to test the size clearance. But he is in Perth till mid next week and if some else can carry out the test fitting, he ( and I ) would be most appreciative, as he can purchase either battery in Perth while he is there.

Hi again Tombie, just out of curiosity, do you have the dimensions for your new cranking battery?

If it is similar to the HVT-70D, it might answer the question of clearance without the need for someone to test it.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi again Tombie, just out of curiosity, do you have the dimensions for your new cranking battery?

If it is similar to the HVT-70D, it might answer the question of clearance without the need for someone to test it.

The primary cranking battery is std
I’m still running the 2 HVT50 aux at this stage

The new Aux is 260l x 169w x 210h

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Back again with this reply.

I have just had a long phone conversation with rapserv and unfortunately, at this time, he can not carry out the test fitting with the HVT-70D battery to see if it will clear.

So this is call out for some help.

Rapserv is from Kalgoolie where he can not get asses to a battery to test the size clearance. But he is in Perth till mid next week and if some else can carry out the test fitting, he ( and I ) would be most appreciative, as he can purchase either battery in Perth while he is there.

Should be able to pop out to Goodchilds in Bibra Lake area and get them to test it - very helpful battery sellers of SSB etc
They are at 6 Pusey Rd, Cockburn Central 9417 7033

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

Should be able to pop out to Goodchilds in Bibra Lake area and get them to test it - very helpful battery sellers of SSB etc
They are at 6 Pusey Rd, Cockburn Central 9417 7033

That's exactly what I'd like to do .. but unfortunately, the battery cradle will be on it's way to Kalgoorlie awaiting my return.

Update!!

For those who are interested ...

Tim from Traxide was kind enough to re-route my DBS Kit from Kalgoorlie to me in Perth where it arrived 2 days later and I have been able to test the installation using the SSB HVT-70LD battery in place of the Optima D34 and SSB HVT-50D batteries.

With the recent change to the Traxide battery cradle, it DOES accept the 70LD fairly comfortably with regard to length and width but the battery is a little tighter with respect to height ... but it does fit SAFELY.

I have attached a couple of photos of the 70LD in place to show the fit and possible rub points.
Also, at this time, I have only fitted the cradle and battery to help determine, one way or another, whether the 70LD will 'physically' fit. It DOES!!

For those who are not sure of the D70 batteries terminal configuration ... the 70D has the +ve (positive) terminal on the front left when viewed from the front and the 'LD' is the opposite with the +ve terminal on the front right .. so that when you turn the battery 180 degrees, the +ve terminal is actually located on the left at the rear .. in the lowest and SAFEST position for this terminal to be in.

Also, keep in mind that my vehicle is a 2013 Discovery 4 SDV6 and it may differ slightly in other models of the D4 .. but I don't believe so.

Because the battery is being 'reversed' there is a slight difference in the length of cabling to the battery itself, however, Tim is aware of this and will be making a change to the cable length to get around this and I'm sure he'll add some comments to this thread accordingly.

Have a look at the photo's and make your own decision even though I am confident enough in the clearances.

Use of the 70LD battery will give you a substantial increase in battery capacity over the 50D, from 65Ah to 85Ah capacity for about an extra $20.
I picked up the 70LD at Goodchild Enterprises (who were very helpful) in Perth for $264 incl gst, however, this battery is made over on the east coast so I would expect it to be somewhat cheaper over that side of the country.

Please also keep in mind that in these photos, the battery terminals have been removed and the cable lugs would be bolted directly to the terminal mounts. (the preferred method)
You may also want to modify the battery clamp crosspiece slightly or even make your own to replace it.

I hope this info is of use if you are contemplating fitting the Traxide DBS.