Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
  
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| 2nd battery - here we go again ! |
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After traveling almost 3000km's in the past couple of weeks - I have now (finally) concluded that the Deltec deep cycle 70a/h 2nd battery is dead.
Without going into the rigmarole of deep/high cycle, Optima etc. as a 2nd battery I have been contemplating (actually since purchasing the vehicle) to swop the functionalities of the batteries. IOW fit a Optima yellow top (or similar) in the 2nd battery position and re-wire so it functions as the main battery. Then fit the biggest (A/H) battery that will fit in the main battery compartment to function as auxiliary battery and connect it to the dual battery management system.
My vehicle's warranty expires soon - although I may go for an extended warranty - in which case there could be a problem with a claim.
Is this feasible or am I scratching where it is not itching  Erstwhile - D3 S '07. Dual battery system. Upgraded tow hitch. Mantec skid plate. Frontrunner rr. Tmax double headed built in compressor
Defender TD5 110 CSW '00. "With everything"
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 9th Jan 2010 5:26 am |
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caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
  
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I like the idea. 
Shouldn't matter where the main battery is as long as it is wired correctly. But you will need to have a battery that can take the high charge voltage. It would need to be a lead Calcium battery of the same type, just lower specs to original. I would make sure the cranking amps are close to OEM. Get the biggest one that would fit into the second battery bay.
Others may be able to give specific advice.
Make sure you move as much of the load to the second battery bay as possible. 
Interested to know what would fit into the original spot. “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
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| 9th Jan 2010 6:20 am |
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Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
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Took the plunge and got myself a yellow Optima to replace the dead Delco 2nd battery.
While fitting the new battery I realised that there was still power from the positive lead once it had been disconnected from the aux battery. My understanding is that the Genises management system isolates the aux battery from the main one as soon as the ignition is switched off. Also the monitor was completely dead when the instructions show that with the aux battery removed the monitor will display "no aux battery" and still display everything for the main battery.
The battery is in and everything seems fine - just wondering if the management system could have been fitted/connected incorrectly  Erstwhile - D3 S '07. Dual battery system. Upgraded tow hitch. Mantec skid plate. Frontrunner rr. Tmax double headed built in compressor
Defender TD5 110 CSW '00. "With everything"
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| 27th Jan 2010 3:11 pm |
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Rencolyn
Member Since: 26 Feb 2008
Location: Knysna
Posts: 212
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Having my 2nd battery fitted with the Genisys system from new, I have always noted the indicator on the battery always shows black (Recharge Battery). I was then told that is because I have often run the battery down too far and the plates have sulphated which prevents the battery being fully charged.
I then found an product which reverses the sulphation and having had it connected for 3 weeks now the battery indicator on the battery is already showing the normal green for full charge.
Product is called Megapulse and can be seen at www.megapulse.net. It is not cheap so the options are to either have it or buy a new battery before a long trip to make the most of the battery storage. Ren Colyn
TDV6 HSE
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| 29th Jan 2010 8:52 am |
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Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
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Rencolyn wrote:
I then found an product which reverses the sulphation ..........
Is'nt this what the Ctek chargers are suppose to do while chraging Erstwhile - D3 S '07. Dual battery system. Upgraded tow hitch. Mantec skid plate. Frontrunner rr. Tmax double headed built in compressor
Defender TD5 110 CSW '00. "With everything"
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| 1st Feb 2010 9:48 am |
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heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
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Yup
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| 1st Feb 2010 10:21 am |
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Rencolyn
Member Since: 26 Feb 2008
Location: Knysna
Posts: 212
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Desulphation is not a quick trick process so my guess is that Ctek charges does it with minimal results. Maybe the experts will throw some light on the subject Ren Colyn
TDV6 HSE
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| 1st Feb 2010 11:10 am |
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heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
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My ctek (7 stage) does full desulphation - takes about 24 hours from start to finish . Rescued 2 Fubar batteries - thereby paying for itself
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| 1st Feb 2010 12:44 pm |
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Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
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Deon - why not try resurrect the battery if you still have it? Both Heine and I can help.
Strangely enough my swaer and I had dual battery systems fitted at the same time by BRS. Mine has been used and abused, swaer's has been used very rarely. Last time he wanted to use it, the battery is dead. Gonna take it out tonight and try the "resurrection mode" on the CTEK. Meanwhile, mine is still happiness. Do you think the Genesys units have different firmware settings, and perhaps his was never charging right? Same vehicle (TDV6) and his gets driven every day for a couple of hours, whereas mine sometimes stands for weeks
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| 1st Feb 2010 3:03 pm |
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Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
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The culprit seems to have been a dodgy earth connection at the main battery, on the cable between the main battery and the auxillary. In theory the genesys would read a lower main battery voltage than reality, hence the system would probably not switch to dual-charging, resulting in dead auxillary battery.
Cleaned everything up, crimped and soldered on a new lug for the earth connection, and put the aux battery on the ctek. The red indicator on the battery is visible, which indicates the battery can be charged. Voltage was 6v though, so I am dubious.
Deon - check the earth connection on your system. I had to modify a special narrow lug to fit under the battery terminal clamp. Once you see it you will understand.
By the way, the genesys does indeed report "aux no conn" if the battery voltage is very low. Not sure what the threshold is though.
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| 1st Feb 2010 8:55 pm |
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Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
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Did check all the connections when I fitted the Optima and also connected the main earth directly to terminal bolt, as a frien of mine also had the earth connection problem. Genesys does show "Aux low start engine", but with aux battery removed it is completely dead. Have now figured out that the system itself is connected to the aux for its own power - as when I connected the new battery the solenoid immediately kicked in - thereby disconnecting the aux from the main. I am sure this is wrong and can be dangerous if the live terminal is not insulated when removed from the aux battery. Will pop in at BRS when in the area.
When connecting the Ctek to the dead battery it charges for about 2 minutes, but the starts flickering. I now that I did "abuse" the aux once on a trip when I had the "dumb" Engel freezer connected to it and drained it completely Erstwhile - D3 S '07. Dual battery system. Upgraded tow hitch. Mantec skid plate. Frontrunner rr. Tmax double headed built in compressor
Defender TD5 110 CSW '00. "With everything"
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| 2nd Feb 2010 4:33 am |
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Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
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The aux batt should not be connected to the main battery until dual charging takes place, or alternatively, you connect the batteries manually by pressing and holding the button on the genesys.
I checked mine, and when I disconnect the aux battery terminal, there is no voltage present on the connector - I can touch it to ground and no sparks.
Plus, with the aux batt disconnected, the genesyz still operates, and shows "aux no conn"
Your connections seem strange. Are you sure you have the aux battery on the driver's side
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| 2nd Feb 2010 5:39 am |
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Deondef
Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
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Baben wrote: Are you sure you have the aux battery on the driver's side
mmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................... yes Erstwhile - D3 S '07. Dual battery system. Upgraded tow hitch. Mantec skid plate. Frontrunner rr. Tmax double headed built in compressor
Defender TD5 110 CSW '00. "With everything"
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| 2nd Feb 2010 6:48 am |
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Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
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well then your connections are screwed up
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| 2nd Feb 2010 8:12 am |
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gerudman
Member Since: 03 Jul 2010
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 46
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Deon, your idea seem to be exactly how I connected my two batteries in previous Disco2s. I'm now also investigating how to do this in the D3 by having both batteries up front (and have a decent 100-odd aH aux battery)
So the question then, what is the mininum spec battery required to power up the Tdv6 ito cracking amps?
Previously I used a 657 model battery (All makes use the same model nrs) on the Td5s as it was the only one with the smaller footprint and still have enough cracking amps to power up the Td5.
I suppose another option would be to remove the aux battery box in total and fabricate a new frame for the larger aux battery.
What other options are worth investigating? What did other D3 owners do?
Thx
George 2012 LR Discovery SDV6 SE
1973 LR Series III 88"
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| 14th Jul 2010 6:25 am |
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