Thread: Battery Box and Water

Even completely submerged you shouldn't have any major problems. IMO, the batteries are WAY down on the list of priorities if the water is that high. :?

Also, if the water is getting to that sort of depth, IMO, you want the water getting in otherwise the truck will float! I've been in the situation a few times now when I've had to wait for the truck to take on water & sink to get traction...

The standard vehicle only has the battery in there (not sure about the TD5) so is not really going to be affected by water or dust. Anything else you choose to store in there can be protected on an individual basis. That said, it's best to at least keep the top of the battery clean as the dirt can cause the batteries to loose power by effectively applying a load!

My 2cent worth....

Mark.

Actually, Australian spec Defenders do have a bit of electronics in the battery box (even Tdi's), being relays and a fuse box or two for the A/C system. So getting it wet is not a great idea. However, there is a need for ventilation when a standard lead acid battery is in use, so the box is not only unsealed, but has several large (about 40mm) holes left open.

I've considered this problem too, as my battery box now houses the usual A/C relays etc, plus the central locking and alarm modules, and will shortly also hold the split charge system for dual batteries. All of which won't thank me for a dunking. However, my plan is to use AGM batteries (Optima or Orbital) in place of the existing lead acid jobbie, so that there will no longer be any need for ventilation. A couple of large rubber blanking grommets and a family size tube of silicone should fix the problem.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Originally posted by 98&#045;110
There has been a lot of discussion on modifying Defender battery boxes, but no mention of water-proofing them - or dust-proofing them for that matter!!

Doesn't water leak in during deep crossings?

What depth of water can you go through without flooding the batteries and electrics?

the wading depth is stated as 500mm to cover their @rses.

the defender td5 has the ecu under the drivers seat and the battery under the passenger seat. i came close to drowning the ecu once(about an inch to spare) and have been weary about it since.
what im saying is that from factory they are not sealed...the metal covers on top of the boxes have some foam tape on them which seals to some minor extent...but thats only if the driver or passenger wets their pants.

ive drowned my audio amp and a couple of relays i had fitted next to the battery.


to answer your question.....if you plan to go deeper than 500mm you need to make sure your ecu stays dry.

battery will survive getting a bit wet.....not sure about fly-by-wire accelerator pedal though. this is low in the vehicle as well.


if you plan to go swimming i suggest you get an early diesel which was all mechanical and get two snorkels.
one for the engine and one for the driver.

I reckon 98-110's user name might mean he has a '98 Defender. That'd be a 300Tdi, so no problems with ecu or throttle potentiometer. :wink:

Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

i thought it meant it had a variable wheelbase 8O

either that or i didnt notice the name....


still...theres always the electricals elsewhere.....radio, relays, wiper motors, yadda yadda yadda.....you get my point.


but you can go deeper [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

providing you dont float away of course

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>i thought it meant it had a variable wheelbase [/b][/quote]

Excellent!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] I just sprayed coffee on my keyboard! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>ive drowned my audio amp and a couple of relays i had fitted next to the battery.
[/b][/quote]

:roll:

Get yourself a roll cage & do what I did... I strapped my amp & speakers to a shelf supported in the roof area by the top of the cage. If it gets wet there... It will be the least of your worries :!: 8O

Mark.

thats on my to do list.......a parcel tray above the rear door to house the amps.