Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
I've still not told SWMBO that it's coming...........she'll only moan, but then will want to charge her phone etc when we're in the Picos mountains at the end of August !
My Traxide kit was in Brisbane on Friday evening.......so it's getting closer.Jim
Standard TDV6 HSE
Non-standard Td5 110 Hardtop
Now...must think about which battery...The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
13th Jul 2009 7:44 am
robsmith
Member Since: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 2392
Re: 2nd battery & split charge - do I need it ?
JimboD3 wrote:
As subject really. Have been looking at the kit on the Traxide site - and quite fancy the SC80-LR with FPC kit, but need to get my head around what benefits there are to be gained from fitting it:
My thoughts are:
1. Extra battery can be used to power all sorts when the engine is not running - lights; fridge etc, without flattening the main starter battery.
2. Should I somehow end up with a flat main battery (leave internal lights on, keys in ignition etc), the second battery will be fully charged and can be used to jump start the Disco.
Anything I've missed - need to 'explain' to SWMBO how the financial outlay will 'benefit' her........you know what I mean
Ta,
Jim
Its a toy
You're a bloke
You need it Rob Smith
Silver rools OK
13th Jul 2009 8:02 am
JimboD3
Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
@ Rob Smith -
@ JF Lux - my Traxide kit appears to be in the UK, Coventry according to the tracking info on the web......bet it takes longer to clear UK customs than it did to get from Aus to here
I've been thinking about which battery to use as the aux - optima yellow or red (downside is the price of them!), or seeing as I'll not be using the system each and every day, maybe I'll see what Halfrauds/local SAM place has on offer (and will fit in the space)Jim
Standard TDV6 HSE
Non-standard Td5 110 Hardtop
Club Traxide
13th Jul 2009 8:26 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Jimbo, You also have to consider the charging voltage of the spare, the main battery is Calcium, so you should get at least the same type to cope with the higher voltage/charging rate.
You're traditional lead acid battery, it has been commented on, may get cooked earlier than expected. However, some on here have had no problems with theirs, but personally, I'd go with the Yellow top
You could argue though taht yoiu get cheap batteries & you could buy 2 over the same period that the Optima should last & the final outlay may be the same.Bodsys Brake Bible
ok...I've got to ask...so whats the difference between Red and Yellow top....?
(Apart from 199 euros versus 250 euros)The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
13th Jul 2009 1:58 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Red Top has a higher cranking capacity, so can be used for Starter motors, but Yellowtop has (ISTR) a longer/lower drain point But I coiuld be talking pifle. Certainly the Red is designed more for starting than the yellow....
EDIT Try this to show red, yellow and we forgot about blue!!
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
13th Jul 2009 2:08 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
In fact, this explains the main differences....
Quote:
Optima Red, Yellow & Blue Top Batteries
Optima spiral cell batteries come in three variants, red top, yellow top and blue top. The colour of the battery top signifies its intended application:
Optima RED Top Batteries, are high performance starter batteries. They are specifically designed to deliver high Cold Cranking Amps (high current for short duration) and their primary application is engine starting be it car, truck, boat, military vehicle etc.
Click HERE to view OPTIMA RED TOP batteries.
Optima YELLOW Top Batteries, are high performance dual purpose batteries designed to offer both excellent engine starting and deep cycle (extended use longer duration) performance.
Click HERE to view OPTIMA YELLOW TOP batteries.
Optima BLUE Top Batteries, are high performance dual purpose batteries designed to offer both excellent engine starting and deep cycle performance specifically in a marine environment.
Click HERE to view OPTIMA BLUE TOP batteries.
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
13th Jul 2009 2:13 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10438
Re: 2nd battery & split charge - do I need it ?
JimboD3 wrote:
As subject really. Have been looking at the kit on the Traxide site - and quite fancy the SC80-LR with FPC kit, but need to get my head around what benefits there are to be gained from fitting it:
My thoughts are:
1. Extra battery can be used to power all sorts when the engine is not running - lights; fridge etc, without flattening the main starter battery.
2. Should I somehow end up with a flat main battery (leave internal lights on, keys in ignition etc), the second battery will be fully charged and can be used to jump start the Disco.
Anything I've missed - need to 'explain' to SWMBO how the financial outlay will 'benefit' her........you know what I mean
Ta,
Jim
If you had asked me last week I would have said just stick the second battery on and job done However after this weekend my car refused to go to sleep and ran both batterys down Guess whats next on my list In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
13th Jul 2009 2:14 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
13th Jul 2009 2:22 pm
JimboD3
Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
Latest update from the courier's tracking site.........
Delivery of item was attempted - UNITED KINGDOM at 01:13 on 14 Jul 2009.
I can't work out the time difference, but I was certainly pushing up the z's at 01:13 BST........and I'm sure that nobody tried to delivery anything - seeing as the tracking details are from an Aus site, I guess the times are Aus, and not GMT ?
I'ts nearly here though !Jim
Standard TDV6 HSE
Non-standard Td5 110 Hardtop
Club Traxide
14th Jul 2009 7:13 am
JimboD3
Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
It's here
Had to pay Parcel Force £40 for VAT and 'clearance', but still worth it - a complete kit of all the bits needed, including a roll of insulation tape, how thoughtful is that
Just going to load up the CD and take a look-see at what's involved in the install.........but have to work tonight, so can't start spannering just yet Jim
Standard TDV6 HSE
Non-standard Td5 110 Hardtop
Good...you do yours first and take lots of pictures and notes and send them to me...then I'll do mine...
Actually, saying that - I haven't had an e-mail yet with my order confirm and tracking number... The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
15th Jul 2009 3:19 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Guess whats next on my list 
