Thread: Need a new Battery - 2003 Disco TD5 - Thinking of a daul sys

I have fitted an ARB battery tray for my second battery, and am using a deep cycle N55(?) (will check) connected through a solonoid, simple system but quite cheap and I have never had a problem with this type of installation in both my 03 Disco TD% and the '86 Range Rover.
The Disco still has the original main batttery and I would put in the same size or larger capacity and refuse to buy "el Cheapo" batteries...........they have a habit of letting me down.

Not sure where you are coco_04 but Drivesafe on this forum might be able to help.

Mick

Just installed ARB Tray ($54) Redarc Isolator ($106 inc postage EBAY) Ref Redarc website

Battery MMM? time will tell if correct decision but stayed with cranking 13 plate battery. Deep cycle much dearer and multiple auto elecs reckon based on my usage cranking will last as long. Exide site suggests starter batteries will last up to 50 cycles. (discharge to charged) if this is fact then that will do my regular use for camping weekends. Eg 6 weekends a year fully discharging both nights will see out 4 years (I wish!) If I was going on extended trip ie discharging every night then deep cycle may be they way to go. As I said time will tell. Of course the turbo heat might get it first.

Main battery I would probably replace with same as original

I'm under the impression that in the V8 and TD5's, the heat kills the 2nd battery in the location up near the firewall where most are put.

A few people in the US have done dual battery setups where the original is with a few minor modifications
http://www.slunnie.com/coppermine/thumbnai...ls.php?album=19

Also, the optima blue top can be used as a starting and deep cycle battery and are advertised as being good with the vibrations. They're expensive though.

Hi coco_04, I made a few battery trays for series II discos out of stainless steel but you can get trays to suit from a few manufacturers.

The main difference with mine and I strongly recommend you do the same, was that I made up a reflector out of thin sheet stainless and mounted it about 1 to 2 cm away from the battery in such a position as to reflect the radiated heat coming from the engine and exhaust.

Before you buy any batteries, look at the heat effects on the different types of batteries. I believe AGM type batteries do not stand up as well in the heat as do normal cranking or deep cycle batteries do and because of the position where the battery is going to be mounted, heat should be a ruling factor when deciding on what type of battery best suits your needs.

If you want some info on charge controllers, click on the TRAXIDE banner and follow the web pages through to the SC40 or SC80.

Cheers.

Don't mean to ask a stupid question, but your battery died after two years?

That doesn't seem like long. What do you do with it?

Maybe not get what you've got in there now.

Cheers

Simon

My factory battery lasted 2 years, and its replacement lasted the same. Battery shops send them for recycling.