Thread: Battery Torture Test

Let me re-write that S - Some who "hate" on Rod's solution (which I quite like as its a good read and offers real world results without being overly theoretical) are going to continue to fire-hose his comments and test method. That attitude particularly ****s me to tears. I hope this thread can continue with ongoing feedback on how Rod's system is coping in the future. I am sure there are lots of punters out there who want to pull the same trigger as Rod have. Looking forward to future feedback.
Cheers and keep up the good work - Matti

Hi folks and I think you are all missing the point here.

The OP originally stated he was only getting a nights run out of his Traxide system, and I wrongly assumed this was because he was running his system in IGNITION/STORAGE Mode, which would have caused the short run times he was getting.

He has just posted up that he was running his system as it was designed to be run.

If this is the case, then as he should have easily been getting up to 3 days run time, as he was only getting an over night run time, he didn't just have a problem, he had a MAJOR problem.

Now surely both logic and pure simple commonsense would dictate that you sort out the problem, especially one of this major proportion, before moving on.

The OP made it quite clear he was not interested in sorting the original problem, no matter how bad it was.

As this problem could have be caused by something as simple as a bad connection somewhere in the existing system, or at the other end of the spectrum, it could be something as serious as a stuffed alternator. Again, commonsense would dictate that you sort out the problem first.

The OP then goes on about his Lithium install, and I like reading these sorts of threads, as I regularly learn from them, and did not knock his installation, I corrected his erroneous “advice”

This crap that you can use thinner cable is nothing more than advertising B/S. It was used to make out you could compensate for the higher cost of a DC/DC device by saving money and using thinner cable.

Yes you could use thinner cabling, but by doing so you increased the amount of energy you needed to run your DC/DC device. You literally made an inefficient device even more inefficient.

In all fairness, while the average vehicle had constant alternator voltage operations, the only real issue was that you simply wasted energy.

The problem with this type of advertising crap is that when you have a variable voltage type operation, which the OP’s vehicle has, using thinner cable causes problems.

Most of the reputable DC/DC suppliers now SPECIFICALLY state that you MUST use thicker cable. The problem is, and this is where the OP has fallen into the advertising trap, the DC/DC suppliers don’t go into the reasons for having to using thicker cable.

Most good quality DC/DC devices are now designed to run in vehicles with variable voltage type operations. They are designed to adjust the output current based on the input voltage.

If the input voltage drops to low, the output battery charging current is reduced, which means you will need to drive even longer to try to recharge low batteries.

To reduce the effects of low voltage alternator operations, the DC/DC suppliers now recommend you use much thicker cabling, as this will help to reduce the some of voltage drop at the input of their devices.


There were a number of other errors I corrected, and the point of my replies was not about criticising what he was installing, but about how he was doing it, and as has also been pointed out, others are reading these threads and need to be made aware of the OP’s errors so they don’t make the same mistakes.

Tim
We would have to get Rods input
But From the three threads my impression is that his primary goal is actually
To have ~3 days runtime with NO draw off the main battery
Any specific fault with his particular Traxise install still won’t change that general point

Now I tend to agree that if you want a standalone fridge system just build one
Particular with the ****y pants BMS of a newer alternator
Chances are a DCDC setup won’t be as efficient at charging his system
When compared to a Traxise or pure solar BUT
If Rod is happy and gets his three days of cold beer

Cest la Vie

As Elsa would say, let it go , he is not interested in a Traxise optima combo!

S

Originally Posted by roverrescue

As Elsa would say, let it go , he is not interested in a Traxise optima combo!
S

You just don’t get it, this not about my DBS, some other brand of DBS, or no DBS at all.

It is about sorting out what could be a HUGE problem in his vehicle.

Bad alternator
Bad Connections
Bad Traxide

Pick your poison

At least he has removed one of the variables !!!

S

Originally Posted by drivesafe

You just don’t get it, this not about my DBS, some other brand of DBS, or no DBS at all.

It is about sorting out what could be a HUGE problem in his vehicle.

I get what you ALL are saying in the 2 related threads. I also tend to agree with Tim that some are not listening to each other and are talking on different planes/aspects.

I'm old fashioned in the sense that I would hate to leave the charging problem that the OP has just sitting there without at least identifying and preferably fixing it - who knows what underlying problems could be festering under there.

Even though he is impossible to get hold of some times, Tim has been a long term commenter on here and has supported and done well by any number of members, including me. I guess you could draw some sort of comparison with Colin at BBS - definitely prefer to have them both on board.
How does that (mis)quote go - I may disagree with what you say, but will fight to the death for your right to say it.

Can I now respectfully suggest that all opinions have been well expressed and we can get on with the future? (I too will be interested in any new knowledge arising).

Originally Posted by drivesafe

You just don’t get it, this not about my DBS, some other brand of DBS, or no DBS at all.

It is about sorting out what could be a HUGE problem in his vehicle.

In reading the other thread you drop TRAXIDE pretty often and you make reference either products or installation as inferior.

It’s looks a little like your ****ed the the OP has opted for a different system.

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

Even though he is impossible to get hold of some times, Tim has been a long term commenter on here and has supported and done well by any number of members, including me. I guess you could draw some sort of comparison with Colin at BBS - definitely prefer to have them both on board.
).

Yep still waiting on my enquiry about lithium batteries......from a week or so ago.