Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Unique GAP IID Use Question
Hi all
Im wondering basically, can my gap be left plugged in for extended time periods while the engine is off?
Story behind the question is.. I use my d3 as a tool to erect a big marquee. One use is the winch for pulling very heavy objects. BUT the front suspension was valve was getting damaged from the pressure and causing a timely UK tour transport to become very stressful. So the front end was having to be jacked up as to relieve the downward pull causing air leaks.
So I wonder, if I take some blocks of wood, maybe I can lower the car inch by inch on to the wood, by using the gap tool.
So then I can get the winch work done. Raise the car again. And drive off.
I don’t want to use a large trolley jack as they are adding weight and using space which is already limited.
Nor can I use the small bottle jack for the car as it doesn’t hold well enough and moves.
I can’t lower the suspension by normal mode as it automatically raises to avoid the wood. Where as the gap bypasses the sensor.
I’m hoping it can go on standby and not cause an issue if left in for a hour with engine off.
Hope my description is understandable lol
TiaDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
8th Dec 2022 9:55 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
What about enabling the third remote key button to operate suspension - for lowering onto the wood blocks. Then reverse the process when done?Chris
8th Dec 2022 10:02 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10362
Was thinking the same.
8th Dec 2022 10:18 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Good point!! Thanks 😅
I presume if the hazards are on, engine off, 3rd button to control… then it won’t attempt to self adjust?
As the problem I had when engine running is it was self adjusting and going in super extended mode.
Guess I’ll find out tomorrow haha
Thanks againDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
8th Dec 2022 10:24 pm
Flatlander
Member Since: 20 Jul 2015
Location: Here
Posts: 575
You don't really want to be running a winch with the engine off. how about dropping onto blocks, turning off then pulling the fuse for the compressor? Although personally i'd be looking at a diverter block that feeds the winch cable into the winch without any horizontal deflection.
8th Dec 2022 10:28 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Not even with the winch being powered by a second battery?
This was another question i had, except… leaving the car running while the winch is in operation causes the exhaust to cause air quality to be difficult to breathe and also the car seems to build up plumes of white smoke when stood idle for more than 5-10 minutes (when I drive off there’s clouds of white smoke). And also I feel uncomfortable having the engine running while it’s unmanned and reliant on the epb.
I was hoping using a spare battery with engine off would be ok?Disco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
8th Dec 2022 10:33 pm
Flatlander
Member Since: 20 Jul 2015
Location: Here
Posts: 575
Your choice - personally I wouldn't due to low voltage causing the motor windings to overheat, I'd also have someone sat in the drivers seat with their foot on the brake, due to Newton's Third Law.
8th Dec 2022 10:36 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Ok looks like I need to address the winching then to be timely and minimised. Perhaps winch from further away even.
Could I maybe put a switch on the fuse? One of those fuse breaker wires with some male terminals crimped on?
There’s 2 fuses and a big black plug for suspension, which one is best to pull is it the small one mum the right fuse section under bonnet?
ThanksDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
8th Dec 2022 10:45 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Apologies that’s meant to read:
A switch and fuse on a wire, with both ends of wire in the suspension fuse socket if that makes sense
Image attached
with my crap explanation hahaDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
8th Dec 2022 10:54 pm
Flatlander
Member Since: 20 Jul 2015
Location: Here
Posts: 575
Firstly, winching with more cable off the drum will increase 'puling power' and minimise current draw. So maybe you'd be better off all round being further away.
If you're doing this for any business or reward, maybe you should consider some form of LANTRA training? It may also be a requirement of your insurance for using lifting equipment (which a winch is classified as if the pull angle is more than 15 degrees).
If you want to isolate an individual fused supply, I'd say fuse 26 in the BJB would be a good bet - obviously test first to check height changes are inhibited.
8th Dec 2022 11:02 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Ok thanks! Definitely on to a good plan now have put it in order to test out
And I’ll Google it now. I have spent a lot of time learning at home. I wasn’t aware of insurance purposes but yes I’ll get something on paper.
I used to anchor a winch to the ground prior as it was never a problem. And gradually learned the capabilities of this vehicle with winch installed. It’s been done with blocks and anchorage. Mostly with engine running until 5 minutes after to allow the battery to recover. Always done safe and clear with a weight on the rope and ppe and radios etc. It works smooth, but just need to simplify it and utilise the suspension.
So cheers I’ll give it a test!Disco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
8th Dec 2022 11:09 pm
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 877
Might you be wise to fabricate some kind of cable feed block that can hinge down onto the ground in front of the winch, to change the load from vertical to lateral? I'd rather have the load pulling the against the weight of the vehicle, than against the suspension.2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
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Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
A voltmeter will show you the voltage under load. Are you winching directly or using a snatchblock? Latter would be slower, but less current therefore less voltage drop during operation.
It would be prudent to chock the wheels for winching especially on grass. I use a 6 tonne winch on my trailer (12 tonne with snatchblock) I doubt the marquee pull is anywhere near that load, and unlikely to shift a 2.7 tonne truck even if it was.Chris
8th Dec 2022 11:19 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
EDIT:
Yes I have a heavy duty snatch block and also a multimeter. I can spend the extra time running a snatch block if it means keeping the engine off while operating.
So would I use a multimeter to check the load while engine is off? If so, can you advise what reading is safe and what is not please?
The angle is very low from horizontal it’s probably 20 degrees over 12 meters and quite low down
It may have just been weak old front struts and valves (replaced few months ago with new factory ones)
But I just don’t want to take the risk as I don’t have the time or patience for air leaks again.
I think the majority of pull force is horizontal so I have used blocks in front of the tyres as a backup, but the handbrake has always been fine the car doesn’t move on the wet grass at all
I’ve had it before now skidding on dry concrete pulling a post loose
In this instance it is to pull a pole from the bottom, shacked to a dolly with wheels. Which is manually pushed from the top and guided up. So it’s both man power pushing up top end and winch pulling bottom end until verticalDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
8th Dec 2022 11:19 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Actually, the wind makes a big difference to winch strain so I won’t even bother basing my method on lowest readings with a snatch block. As wind can amplify the weight massively.Disco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
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