Member Since: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 221
Aux Battery Box Cover
I am looking at installing an auxilary battery into the aux battery box under the bonnet so that I can have permanent live power in the car for charging the kids toys (Gameboy etc.). I also have a small 12v coolbox that I would like to be able to run when the engine is not on.
I have a spare 80Ah leisure battery that I would like to use for this that fits in the space but is very slightly too tall to re-fit the plastic cover (it does fit happily under the bonnet though). Obviously money no object I would get an optima or similar but if I am going to do this it is a bit of a case of use what I have.
I cannot see any reason why I should not just leave this cover off as the things that I can see under it shouldn't need protecting but does anyone know if there is a need to fit the cover or not?
1st Oct 2008 3:47 pm
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4287
Not sure about that one. gets pretty filty under there and there are some gizmowhatdoyamacallems there that may not like said dust.
Save up or ask Santa for the proper job, worth it
1st Oct 2008 3:50 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Just make sure that the positive is well covered so it has NO chance of rubbing on the bonnet.
Way back in the old days, batteries never had covers.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
1st Oct 2008 8:33 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
It's not a battery cover - it's an 'enviro box'
1st Oct 2008 9:17 pm
Carabraxis
Member Since: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 221
looks a bit like a battery cover "To finish first, one first has to finish ...."
1st Oct 2008 10:27 pm
Carabraxis
Member Since: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 221
Walked straight into that one
As Shiny Moose says, batteries never had covers and neither did the break servo or the alarm sounder which is about all I can see in there. I am only concerned if there is somthing that I can't see.
I can only think that the only use for the cover is that it makes it look pretty under the bonnet so I don't think I'll worry about it and leave it off.
I've got a rather naff leisure battery that I fitted to get me out of a spot when I knew I would need the extra battery but I see no reason to get an optima.
One thing to try is changing the terminal post style to one that does not have a bolt vertically through it for connecting your charge lead or accessories. This is the first thing I did and discovered that with a slim-lined terminal post the cover very nearly fits - 2 out of 3 of the plastic clips. So nearly there it doesn't matter - bonet closes and there is no chance the cover will escape!
Then get a megafuse to ensure that you can't cause a welding current to pass through the battery.
You can get a fuse and holder for just a few quid. I went for 200amps and this should be suffice for the charge current as well as any accessories - including 50% of winch current.
Fit the fuse to the earth and you need not worry about any other connection to your battery.
Fit the fuse to the positive and you should then only wire into the battery through the fuse.
I have a winch, charge (alternator / vehicle battery) lead and an aux fuse box (fridge, gadgets, 2-way, etc) off the battery. The only way to protect is really via fusing the earth - not a text book solution but it will save your bacon. You can fuse off the positive but I think it is a messy solution as to do it well you need no set-up a seperate distribution point away from the battery.
Most important is the need for a dual battery management system of some kind - no point in having a leisure battery if it is permanently attached to the vehicle battery as both will drain.
13th Oct 2008 11:50 pm
Carabraxis
Member Since: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 221
Iona
Thanks for your comments - some good suggestions there.
I think I may put a big fuse in the earth line to protect everything and then use small ones in the live to protect the individual feeds I want to put in.
I believe in keeping things simple so for the split charge I'm thinking of using a simple 200 amp relay with a sence wire to the altenator to turn it on when the engine is running. Has anyone done it like this? Are there any issues I need to be aware of?
I would strongly suggest keeping it as simple as possible.
The only problem I can see is that you will not be able to charge the vehicle battery seperately. If you have a spate of short journeys it would be beneficial to recharge only the vehicle battery until it is full then switch to charging both vehicle and aux bat. With a simple automated system you will be charging both the whole time the engine is running and possibly not reaching a full charge on either. The D3 has difficulty charging the main battery on journeys of less than a couple of miles.
What might be useful is an over-ride switch that you can use to isolate charging to just the vehicle battery. Maybe a simple toggle switch in the earth to stop the charging of the aux battery when driving for short stints.
Also an activate switch to keep your batteries linked - maybe a toggle switch with a seperate 12v to the actuating circuit of your relay. This would enable you to jump start off the aux battery should, for any reason, the vehicle battery go flat(leaving your lights on, radio or similar). Is also useful for winching if you have one fitted.
My system is a Genesyz as supplied by Devon 4x4 it does the job but have had a couple of irregularities which has got me pondering. Might be nothing but it is a confidence thing. I modified it to work with a charging loop for a battery in a trailer - I put in an isolator switch to give me manual control to
15th Oct 2008 9:17 pm
Kabous
Member Since: 11 Jul 2007
Location: Mokopane
Posts: 233
If you look inside the spare battery box , you will see that the bottom corners are slightly elevated / build up , I'm not sure why it's made like that , but I chisled out those and my cover fits perfectly.
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
