Thread: DBS (Dual) battery locations and advise please

My second battery (AGM) was in the spare wheel well. I say "was" because it developed a split case and leaked. Actually, I suspect it had a split case (maybe the battery had been dropped) when I bought it but that was two years ago and I only found the split a couple of weeks back.

On post-98 models, one can remove the empty box behind the battery (used for the engine management system on pre-99 models) and, by rearranging the existing battery set-up, fit two batteries in that location. I saw it at the last LR Expo but didn't get photos.

on mine i have it on the right hand side of the rear back cargo floor area ,on left hand side is cd player as reference . basically inbetween rear mudgaurd and rear tailgate ,far right in that gap . steel battery tray was made up to suit battery size (cost me 200 made up and fitted , gordon from tjm syd sth did it ) than the tray was bolted through the floor which you tighten nuts outside underneath near exhaust pipe ,with a strap running under the tray and when battery fitted strap runs and gets connected on top of battery box ,that way strap holds battery off road and doesent fall out of tray (found out hard way ).also as inside the cabin needs to be a sealed battery.the cables run from frount battery to the rear back battery box if wondering both earths to chassis and you can unclip battery box when not in use and take out the battery box as well to save weight when not needed.good thing is not takeing up room in the hot engine bay or in the limited spare tyre bay below floor and can look at volt dials when you open up tailgate instantly and also can open cargo floor to get spare tyre out as tray sits to far right missing it ,cheers .

Spend a bit extra and get an oddisy (sp) battery, they are smaller for the ammount of cca's you get, and can be mounted in anyconfiguration (sideways, endways or upsidedown). It makes finding a place to put it easier. There are a few hiding holes underneath, or the place that Ron mentioned would work well too.


Andy

if your asking to run a fridge and lights dont look at cca (thats for starting ) eg normal car battery power doesent last ,look at a deep cycle and look at how many amp hours it holds example my vision holds 100 amp hours ,a true deep cycle ,running a engel for 2 and a half days still had well over 12 volts + ,but as a starter battery forget it .will damage it , proper deep cycles not designed for starting .if you want a deep cycle and emergency starter battery get a ac delco marine (blue coloured ) battery there the cranking or cca is 730 for emergency starting (starts my v8 p38) and also doubles up as a deep cycle sealed battery holding 90 amp hours for your fridge useage , also haveing your battery in a battery box like in mine it has power conections on the top of the box so you can take it out of the car by uncliping the power plug and put it on the table or ground were ever you like when camping and connect your electical items via the conections on the box totaly mobile ,try doing that with a fixed set up and when finished put back in the car at the rear ,connect power plug , strap it on ,than drive away and charge ,cheers.

Hi rofosixone
your setup sounds ideal -esp taking it out when not needed..

1. where did you run the charging lead from the alternator...through the cabin or through a conduit under the RR?

2. Is the battery box a commercial unit or was it fabricated by tjm?

3. Any pics?

most interested
thanks
hoges

charge from frount battery to rear via one red cable going under carpet and plastic sills in cabin , one black negative cable from rear battery to steel panel under rear cover half way under rear window between back seat hinge and radio amplifier.box can get from super cheap but auto electrical guy made battery box up with all fittings .comes with externall and internall plugs and fitted with 12v 90 amp bep/vsr electonic battery isolator all built in the lid and also includes solar charge kit 20 amp rateing ,plug in and charge i leave panel on roof on ext camping trip when parked , but note it was special made for me can not buy instantly ,tray was made up by tjm or if know how to weld arb can as well .lip is 4 inches high (6 would be better )but need strap fitted between carpet and tray ,battery never jumps out then .its a automatic piggy back system ,all charge goes to main for start once full goes to rear ,if run winch no good need swichable manual one like i had of tjm in series 3 can use frount or back battery any time with that system .note if your main battery is old and does not hold charge well or your negative cable is stuffed all power will get deverted to frount not rear leaveing you rear weak ,remember that before you think about throwing your battery away ,costly mistake .check frount battery is it 12.7 or higher when turned off motor when just parked ,means very good condition or is it 12.1 volts ,found out can be negative cable (see temp gauge story else were here ,you will know what i mean ) as well as old battery .have 18 pics of install dont know how to put here leave your email or any one else if want to know and i can send that way to you in more detail .last 6 years no problems with rear set up unless main frount battery old and starting not to hold charge or neg cable starts to go , .cheers

pic 018 (were put), pic 122 (box with cables rear), pic 150 (box with battery), 145 (internals under box lid), pic 160 (front positive connection), pic 173 (rear negative connection).

Cheers,
Remy

and 173