We do miss the very good auxiliary power set up we had in the 80 series Land Cruiser. Of course they were / are built like tanks in that aspect.
The "new" tug has far more sensitive and closely engineered systems and we are looking at a set up for it. Hs any body ever set one up or had one done for them and if so what is it like for efficiency.
We wish to run (when required) either of a 39L Engel fridge and a Blue Tongue single cylinder compressor from such.
Cheers - Ian.
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
We have the Traxide system in our D3 and have used it in our previous D3, they were built originally for Landrovers and were at one time the only LR approved dual battery system.
If you google Traxide all the information is there and Tim is most helpful and knowledgeable.
As an aside our unit is around 12 years old and a couple of years ago was playing up, rang Tim and his response was "lifetime guarantee, send it to me with a return mail bag and it will be fixed for free"
I have absolutely no affiliation with Traxide just a happy customer.
I had to use four 26Ah gel batteries as I didn't have room in the Freelander. I have used the 20 socket in the boot, changed it to a 50amp Anderson outlet.
Started with one but added a second Victron 9amp DC-DC converter (at bottom of photo, MPPT above).
My car is a 2016 Discovery Sport with similar complex electrics such as Canbus system and 'smart' alternator and I run a 35L Dometic fridge and ARB compressor in it. However, I decided to take a different approach to the usual permanently installed dual battery system and went for a portable solution instead.
It's all housed in a large plastic toolbox and includes a 100 Ah Lithium battery, DC/DC charger, mains charger, and Solar MPPT controller, monitor and display (all in one as the Redarc Manager 30 system). It has inputs for unregulated solar, 50A DC supply from the car, and AC mains for the battery charger, and various outputs including Anderson, USB and accessory sockets. A thermostatically controlled cooling fan keeps it cool as the Redarc can put out a bit of heat when charging at the full 30A and the Lithium battery doesn't like to get warm!
I went this portable route because it gives me flexibility. When in the back of the car plugged into a 50A Anderson socket it acts like a traditional dual battery system charging off teh car and powering the fridge and compressor . But being portable I can transfer it between cars, and more importantly take it out of the car all together when it's not needed - which is 90% of the time at the moment because I'm not yet a full time Grey Nomad! I can also leave it at the campsite as a standalone power system plugged into mains power or solar, charging the battery and powering my fridge, chargers, lights etc. while I'm away in the car exploring.
Not for everyone, but might give you something a bit different to think about...
-- Edited by Mamil on Saturday 8th of August 2020 07:07:09 PM
Your battery box setup is brilliant. Much better than an expensive off the shelf product that doesn't come close to doing the job anyway. There is an extremely serious amount of thinking & planing getting things packed into a small space.
We didn't go down that path as we sleep in the car & there was enough to move each day. We have our car really well organised & tried to tuck as much as possible away, under seats & in dead corners. 2 batteries under the passenger seat, 2 compressors under the driver's seat, 3rd battery on the transmission tunnel, 4th battery on the rear footwell when camping or in the boot when not (these 2 batteries can be easily removed if needed)
Our 28L fridge in the largest item & sits on the passenger seat overnight & everything else stuffed in the front & seats pushed & tilted forward.
Also we decided to stick with 12v only to reduce equipment. Had to buy an expensive 12v Canon charger & bought a couple 2xAA Braun toothbrushs.
Your battery box setup is brilliant. Much better than an expensive off the shelf product that doesn't come close to doing the job anyway. There is an extremely serious amount of thinking & planing getting things packed into a small space.
We didn't go down that path as we sleep in the car & there was enough to move each day. We have our car really well organised & tried to tuck as much as possible away, under seats & in dead corners. 2 batteries under the passenger seat, 2 compressors under the driver's seat, 3rd battery on the transmission tunnel, 4th battery on the rear footwell when camping or in the boot when not (these 2 batteries can be easily removed if needed)
Our 28L fridge in the largest item & sits on the passenger seat overnight & everything else stuffed in the front & seats pushed & tilted forward.
Also we decided to stick with 12v only to reduce equipment. Had to buy an expensive 12v Canon charger & bought a couple 2xAA Braun toothbrushs.
Yep, I love the way you've managed to utilise every nook and cranny in your car to tuck everything away neatly! I didn't want a permanent solution so went the 'dual battery system in a box' route. I guess our cars are smaller and have less space for a dual battery system under the bonnet or in the tray like a larger 4WD or Ute, so we have to get creative
The Discovery 4 has 2 auxiliary battery locations, 1 spare under the bonnet & another behind the trim panel in the boot left side. So there is no excuse to not use the spaces! The Freelander has none. I could get the compressors under the bonnet, have made a first prototype bracket, & get all 4 batteries under the seats. But I like the compressors inside the car so at least 2 of them are pre cooled with air conditioning.
Anyway, hopefully the following will help with ideas to attach things to the car.
What helped a lot with fitting these things in tight places was using quick release brackets. Also handy if there is a issue it's easy to get things out.
They are a good idea but at 635mm x 50mm x 260mm still not possible in our car as we sleep in it. The current gel batteries also allows me to jumpstart the car if needed, 1040amps 5 second rating or 360amps for 5 minutes.
At 11kg that seems too light on lithium for 110Ah.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Hi Mamil , great boxed setup there mate , did you do this yourself or get it made up by someone ?
Thanks, did it myself, took quite a few weekends but was a fun project! Only thing it's missing is an inverter. Would have to bolt on the outside, but that would be good for heat dissipation anyways. I have one already, but can't think what I'd use it for as over the last couple of years I've bought DC versions of all my travel essentials, including a DC power supply for my CPAP machine, so probably won't bother adding it after all.
-- Edited by Mamil on Tuesday 11th of August 2020 10:15:41 PM
"We wish to run (when required) either of a 39L Engel fridge and a Blue Tongue single cylinder compressor from such."
I fitted a Traxide DBS 3.5 years ago to my D4 MY13. All parts needed (except battery) and very clear, illustrated with photos, instructions were provided. This has worked very well for me running an Engel full-time when on trips. Connecting solar panels (through a controller) or a mains battery charger when stationary is a doddle and works well to keep both batteries topped up. Perhaps I should explain that living in Melbourne, my D4 has barely moved in the past 7 months.
Some of the battery set-ups shown in this thread look great. You have many choices.
Howdy all, many thanks for all the inputs re my original post. Problem is now solved very neatly by the local auto electrician for a fee of course, and he did a superbly neat job.
Now we need to do a decent day trip with vehicle only to test out the set up with use of the 39L Engel car fridge and do some tyre deflation and re-inflation.
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
