Living with the New Defender

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Originally Posted by laughto

If you haven't come across them yet, Powerfuluk have a solution to the poor reverse lights (several versions actually - click link) ==> You are being redirected...

There is also a very good YouTube vid to show you how to do the install (or have someone do it for you) - Land Rover Defender L663 Reverse light upgrade v2 - New Plinth + Dual Light Function ! - YouTube

I have only come across these guys in the past six months while looking for accessories that I may need when (and if) my Defender ever arrives! The main man, Simon Jefferson is a bit quirky but thoroughly entertaining and I think actually a competent engineer. He makes plenty of mistakes, but acknowledges and corrects them and shows how to avoid these.

They have developed a plethora of accessories for the new Defender. Worth a look thru their website and also at their YouTube clips.

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Same problem with the L494. Could not see a bloody thing when reversing at night. I swapped it the incandescent reversing globes for some decent LED lights which helped a bit. The high position of the light does nothing to help illuminate the ground and immediate surroundings behind the vehicle. I looked at options similar to what powerfulUK have done for the L663 but couldn't come up with a discrete solution. Fortunately the L663 lends itself to the style of lighting that was used by PowerfulUK - ace job by them.

Might have to revisit this to see if something has come on the market for the L494.

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Originally Posted by SBD4

Same problem with the L494. Could not see a bloody thing when reversing at night. I swapped it the incandescent reversing globes for some decent LED lights which helped a bit. The high position of the light does nothing to help illuminate the ground and immediate surroundings behind the vehicle. I looked at options similar to what powerfulUK have done for the L663 but couldn't come up with a discrete solution. Fortunately the L663 lends itself to the style of lighting that was used by PowerfulUK - ace job by them.

Might have to revisit this to see if something has come on the market for the L494.

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How about this ==> You are being redirected... or this ==> You are being redirected...

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Originally Posted by laughto

How about this ==> You are being redirected... or this ==> You are being redirected...

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Yeah, I saw those when they were released, Unfortunately they are not a reversing light, they're a full width tail/brake light. Looks quite good.

Had my MY21 110 D300 now for about 2 months but finally managed to be released from house arrest and take it camping for the first time.

Parked it up over night with the odd occasional opening of the doors to get things in and out, found it frustrating that every time I opened the doors the Bluetooth connects to the car and the center console turns on.

By the next morning the low battery warning came on to prompt me to turn on the ignition.

Anyone know how to deal with this?

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Originally Posted by Jase_T

Had my MY21 110 D300 now for about 2 months but finally managed to be released from house arrest and take it camping for the first time.

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When did you order the Defender?

Not the same, but on my L322 I converted to LED interior lights which helps. Not sure what’s in the new defender.

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Originally Posted by Jase_T

Had my MY21 110 D300 now for about 2 months but finally managed to be released from house arrest and take it camping for the first time.

Parked it up over night with the odd occasional opening of the doors to get things in and out, found it frustrating that every time I opened the doors the Bluetooth connects to the car and the center console turns on.

By the next morning the low battery warning came on to prompt me to turn on the ignition.

Anyone know how to deal with this?

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Welcome, Jase.

Yes what you've described is one of the big PITAs about the L663. JLR really didn't think this one through and there are some very bad assumptions baked into their software. The good thing about software though is that it can be changed... in an ideal world we'd get an update with some kind of "battery saver" mode for camping etc that ignores the doors and leaves all the systems powered off until you do something like press the Start/Stop button. Come to think of it, holding that button without your foot on the brake would be a perfect way to activate that mode.

In the meantime, some people report that hiding your remote fobs in shielded bags is a good way to reduce the amount of activity from the computers. Leaving the vehicle unlocked is also good, and leaving doors open instead of actually closing them helps. There's a way to disable keyless entry that I'm gonna get around to experimenting with. As a backstop, some dual battery systems have features that can help you in the event of a flat starter, or grab yourself a lithium jump starter. I got a Noco GBX45 but haven't done an actual test with a flattened starter yet.

It's also a good idea to put your vehicle on an actual battery charger overnight, at least every few weeks. The "smart" alternator behaviour in these vehicles has a tendency to leave the starter battery in a not-fully-charged state, even on the MHEVs like yours. That behaviour is also controlled by software though, so possibly it will be, or already has been, updated.

I have a bluetooth battery monitor installed on my starter battery. They're cheap, they work, and they help you understand what's going on with the electrical system in your vehicle.

Cheers
TB

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Originally Posted by laughto

When did you order the Defender?

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I ordered it in Jan this year. Was suppose to receive it in May. COVID caused a delay and in July the dealership called me and told me there was going to b a $4000 increase on the vehicle due to parts that were unavailable. Gave me the option to cancel...

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Originally Posted by TB

Welcome, Jase.

Yes what you've described is one of the big PITAs about the L663. JLR really didn't think this one through and there are some very bad assumptions baked into their software. The good thing about software though is that it can be changed... in an ideal world we'd get an update with some kind of "battery saver" mode for camping etc that ignores the doors and leaves all the systems powered off until you do something like press the Start/Stop button. Come to think of it, holding that button without your foot on the brake would be a perfect way to activate that mode.

In the meantime, some people report that hiding your remote fobs in shielded bags is a good way to reduce the amount of activity from the computers. Leaving the vehicle unlocked is also good, and leaving doors open instead of actually closing them helps. There's a way to disable keyless entry that I'm gonna get around to experimenting with. As a backstop, some dual battery systems have features that can help you in the event of a flat starter, or grab yourself a lithium jump starter. I got a Noco GBX45 but haven't done an actual test with a flattened starter yet.

It's also a good idea to put your vehicle on an actual battery charger overnight, at least every few weeks. The "smart" alternator behaviour in these vehicles has a tendency to leave the starter battery in a not-fully-charged state, even on the MHEVs like yours. That behaviour is also controlled by software though, so possibly it will be, or already has been, updated.

I have a bluetooth battery monitor installed on my starter battery. They're cheap, they work, and they help you understand what's going on with the electrical system in your vehicle.

Cheers
TB

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Thanks TB,

This is super helpful. Come to think of it I did have my key in my pocket most of the time which explains why it kept turning on.

Will definitely get a jump starter and store it in the back of the vehicle.

Cheers again.
J