Dual Battery Disco 4

[Next_Door]

I am taking delivery of a new Disco 4 in a couple of months. 3.0L engine. From what I've seen so far there's not much room in the engine bay for a second battery. Anyone fitted a system as yet?
Many thanks

[weeds]

drivesafe on the forum will know, he is a vendor 'traxide', wouldn't surprise me if he hasn't started to develop something

relays

[CaverD3]

Yes he has.

The battery gets too hot in the engine bay so he is looking at moving the modules so it will fit.

[drivesafe]

Thanks weeds and CaverD3.

Hi Next_Door and welcome to the AULRO forum.

I make a range of vehicle specific Dual Battery Systems for the D3 and was hoping that they would suit the D4.

Not so, while there is a space just in front of the cranking battery compartment, the feedback I’m getting is that the engine bay temperatures are way to high and as this was a problem with the D2, I think it poses an even bigger problem for the D4.

So, as CaverD3 pointed out, I am looking at other options.

I have already provided some dual battery kits to Bruce Lyntons for D4s but these are for power batteries in a camper trailer or caravan being towed behind the D4.

I am working on a battery box set up to fit in the rear cargo area of the d4 ( will fit a D3 as well ) and should have the first ready over the weekend.

All my D4 Dual Battery Kits will still be using the special controller developed with Land Rover Australia’s help so there will be no Problems with the new electronics.

[Next_Door]

Thanks. I am purchasing my D4 from Bruce Lynton. Not arriving until May sadly. I will keep my eye out for your solution. Cheers

[DISCO 4]

ARB in Perth will have a dual battery base ready in about a month. It sits along side the existing battery.

[Graeme]

The mounting plate for my 2nd battery is still in-situ in front of the main battery but the battery is now located in the centre of the 3rd row footwell, locked in place under the 2nd row centre seat. Its an 80ah AGM so the hot engine bay would destroy it and its OK to be on its side, albeit in a plastic tray.

[ADMIRAL]

Hi Guys.
Watching this with interest. I have D4 ( 5 seater ) and have noted the large albeit flattish spaces under the rear seats ( ala Graeme ) As I don't have the 3 rd row seats to contend with, I also have large side pockets, normally used for the jack and tool kit in the 7 seater version. However, these side pockets would only suit a taller, and narrower AGM etc. I need to get out and check the availability of batteries in odd sizes, and then try for fit. There is also have a huge flat area under floor, currently the location for the tools and jack. I prefer not to touch that at this stage..........other plans in mind.
A shame the spot in the engine bay is too hot. It is still the most logical location.

Keep the ideas coming.

[drivesafe]

The more I research it, the more I talk to D4 owner and to some of the dealer service people, the more a rear cargo area mounted removable battery box is looking like the best way to go.

Not only is the place in front of the cranking battery suss because of the potential problem from heat, it’s also a size limiting location where only a small battery can be used.

There is another drawback to this location, to get any use from an auxiliary battery, you have to run cable into the rear cargo area, whether it’s to power some cigarette sockets, or run cable to the rear to supply power to charge batteries in a camper trailer or caravan ( or a combination of both set ups ), you need to run cable down the drivers side of the D4 ( and D3 ) to avoid having to remove the battery and fuse box on the passenger side to install the cable.

So if you mount the auxiliary battery in front of the cranking battery, you now have to run the cable forward to the isolator and then to the cranking battery and you also have to run the cable back passed the cranking battery, across the back of the engine bay and then down to the rear.

Thats a lot more cable and this both adds to the cost and to the amount of voltage drop because of the longer cable run.

By fitting the battery in the rear, first off you can fit any size battery you want, and the cabling run will be much shorter and much, MUCH quicker and easier to install.

[AndrewM]

I have a front mounted Drivesafe system in my D3 - great solution.
Only disadvantage I can see with a rear battery is you can't jump start a dead main battery easily. OK OK you should never have a dead main, but.....