Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
2nd battery & split charge - do I need it ?
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,
JimJim
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Tell her she can plug a hair dryer or hair iron into it Then forget to tell her how toSceen name use to be "wantsanlr3"
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8th Jul 2009 5:56 pm
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
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I'd send a e-mail to 10forcash and let him sort it
8th Jul 2009 6:04 pm
SpiderBaby D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1399
I fitted the SC40-LR with TPS not long back.
It was really easy to fit (came with full instructions) and I use it to run a fridge during fishing / off road / walking forays with no problems.
I've also used it to jump start myself (now that causes head scratching from bystanders...) when I had starter motor problems.
Next step is to fit extra lights to the boot area for use in winter when we get back to 'base' in the dark to allow us to cook etc. (and yes, I do have several Petzel headlamps before anyone suggests using them...)
I got my battery off the shelf at a local dealers.I see no ships........
8th Jul 2009 6:30 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
I've got the Traxide with SC-80 and FPC
Doddle to install (if somewhat time consuming when you've never taken the trim off to that extent before)
I use mine for powering the kids twin screen DVD (means I don't have to have the key in ignition), charging the laptop, running my fridge (Engel), powering the spotlights, charging the Entel PMR's , the LED lights for camping and anything else that get thrown in!
Even SWMBO says it's one of the best investments I've ever made!
Oh and you can jump start from one to the other with just one positive jump lead.
The FPC is great, you have the Anderson connector at the back of the Disco if you need to power anything more substantial than the 15amp 12v sockets
There's a couple of options for the Aux battery, but I went with the tried and tested Optima Yellowtop Bodsys Brake Bible
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8th Jul 2009 6:41 pm
SpiderBaby D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1399
Oops - - Should have said - mine's the Optima Yellowtop as well.
In fact, it was Bodsy ( ) who gave me the nod on the Traxide kit.I see no ships........
8th Jul 2009 7:49 pm
JimboD3
Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
Thanks for all the replies Chaps............I think you've sold it to me !
I guess where you run additional lights etc, you've taken the main feed from the Traxide to some sort of fused distribution arrangement - looking at the FPC diagram on the Traxide website, it seems that the supply to the rear is fused at 50A, but that the (optional) front anderson supply is unfused..........and piccies of your installs available ?
Thanks,
JimJim
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9th Jul 2009 7:16 am
SJR
Member Since: 09 Aug 2006
Location: East Manchester
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Some good pics in SJR's link.
Personally, if I was fitting the Traxide kit again, I would get 2 x LR 12v sockets to match up with the other sockets rather than the ones supplied by Traxide. In fact, I've already replaced one of them with teh LR version
I'm sure he'll omit those if you ask him to, won't save you much money, but the LR ones do look smarter
The rear sockets (if you go with the FPC kit) are also fused at 15a each and the cables are designed to take much more, it's quite a robust setup IMHO.
As for the Anderson to the back, yes it is on a Thermal breaker type fuse, so will re-set itself once it's cooled down.
For the front one, you could have it fused, but why bother unless you're running a long lead to the front grill or something?
I think it's designed to be short and just sit in the battery compartment until you need to connect your jumper leads or other accesory to it. I only went with the rear connector as I figured if I need to connect, it would be easier than having to lift the bonnet.
For additional lights, I've run direct from the battery to a 20a fuse, then to a relay then to the LF170's.
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9th Jul 2009 9:01 am
JimboD3
Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
I'm on the verge of ordering, one final question - as the front Anderson connector (assuming that I go for the SC80-LR and FPC kit) is unfused and a direct feed off the second battery, it could be used as a jump-start facility (like AA/RAC trucks have), but as the rear Anderson is fed off the 50A thermal breaker, it (obviously !) can't be used to jump anything.Jim
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9th Jul 2009 9:50 am
SJR
Member Since: 09 Aug 2006
Location: East Manchester
Posts: 4030
So what's the question I believe that every human has a finite number of heart-beats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises.
Buzz Aldrin (1930 -
9th Jul 2009 9:51 am
JimboD3
Member Since: 23 Mar 2009
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 348
SJR wrote:
So what's the question
Think I answered it myself - but.......
Can the front Anderson plug be used (in conjunction with another plug and some leads) to jump-start other motors ?Jim
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9th Jul 2009 9:53 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
It can be used to charge up the Aux battery.
Even if you had the Anderson connected to the Aux battery and out throiugh the front grill, it won't be able to jump start as it's connected to the Aux and not the main cranking battery.
Once the main cranking battery gets low on power, the smart box will disconnect the Aux battery from the main battery.
Only way to jump start using that Anderson, is to connect it to the cranking battery.Bodsys Brake Bible
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9th Jul 2009 10:41 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Got it the wrong way round.
A) Yes, it can be used to CHARGE other batteries to a point that they can possibly start
B) Worst that would happen if you tried jump starting from that Aux (after letting it charge for a while) is that it will break the fuse. Once it's cooled down, it will be re-connected, so you don't need to find 50Amp fuses to carry aroiund with you.
C) yes, you could have the unfused one at the front connected directly to the Aux to jump start other vehicles.
D) when was the last time you needed to jump start another vehicle BTW Bodsys Brake Bible
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Then forget to tell her how to
- Should have said - mine's the Optima Yellowtop as well.
) who gave me the nod on the Traxide kit.
