leisure batteries and split charge location -_-

hi folks,

okay so firstly not really sure this is in the right place to put this as its for a defender but also ex military figured this was the best place.

been having a think about fitting leisure batteries and a split charge system to my Landy. normally I know this is a pretty straight forward affair, just fit a split charge system and add a second battery to the bat box. however my system is 24v so i already got two batteries in there as well as 12v dropper (not yet connected) so not much space left in there.

so need to find space for two batteries, but i don't really want them mounted in the back because i plan on fitting seats and I don't really want to lose the storage space. also as my landy is a rag top, i don't want someone taking a fancy to my batteries and walking off with them.

was toying with the idea of fabricating a bat box to fit under the body work somewhere maybe under the load space or if it will fit in the space on the opposite side to the fuel filler. might stop some of the mud getting clogged up there as well

is that going to cause problems? is there a really obvious solution I am missing? does anyone have any inspirational thoughts on where i could put them? i am sure people have had 4 batteries before...

thought it would be worth also be worth saying changing the entire thing form 24v to 12v is going to be a ball ache and not really something I want to do.

cheers

90 or 110?
There's lots of space in the wheel boxes in front of the wheels on a 110 and I reckon enough for some batteries if you are crafty on a 90. Personally I'd fit them in from above with a well fitting cover over the top like under the seat.

Have you considered having the aux / house system as 12v? Then only a single battery would need to be housed ( if that would do you? )

I'm sure someone like sterling would do a suitable battery to battery charger.

If you have an XD (Wolf?) then you should have a 300TDI engine so you can mount a second alternator on the engine, You could add a completely independent stand-alone 12v system to the vehicle (depending on what you want to use the dual system for), then you would only need to add one battery. Does it need to be a 24v second system, if it is for a winch etc then you would be able to fit a 12v one which is more common and probably a lot cheaper?

As far as I know you cannot jump from a leisure battery as they don't have a high enough amp/hour rating so double check that before you base your install around that requirement.

If it's purely for campsite equipment I would look at a single battery solution, the length of time the equipment will run will depend on the type and amount of equipment to be powered. Look for LED lighting to reduce the load and a lower power fridge etc.

As above and yes you can use a common earth (chassis) for 12 and 24

PopaDom said:

when you say in from above. do you mean cutting down through the wheel arch boxes and fabricating a sealed box underneath to house the batteries?

Click to expand...

Yep, considering doing same in mine to create a toolbox/secure storage space accessible from inside.

hummm okay. more research required i think, didn't know that about leisure batteries.

the wheel arch boxes is a good option, think i am going to have to price it all up and have a think about my needs and power requirements, if jumping isn't going to be doable then there is no need for two batteries.

another thought, is if i were to go down the factory alternator 4 batteries route, would that put a lot of strain on my current alternator, to the point of possible failure?

just thinking out loud here, but if i were to fit a 12v alternator, then get two of these, link, and wire them in parallel. that would give me the 12v system for camping ect, while extend their life cycle then i could fit an isolation switch and use them in series to jump start if needed. that would also give me extra redundancy, having two ways to charge my batteries should an alternator fail... then again i could be further complicating the issue, and i would still need to find space for two batteries.

i am starting to think that i am focusing to much on this jump starting issue, just because i know its not as easy to do with a system like mine, even though its actually much less likely to be needed with a 24v system in the first place.

thanks for the help, much appreciated

PopaDom said:

hummm okay. more research required i think, didn't know that about leisure batteries.
Just thinking out loud here, but if i were to fit a 12v alternator, then get two of these, link, and wire them in parallel. that would give me the 12v system for camping ect, while extend their life cycle then i could fit an isolation switch and use them in series to jump start if needed. that would also give me extra redundancy, having two ways to charge my batteries should an alternator fail... then again i could be further complicating the issue, and i would still need to find space for two batteries.

Click to expand...

One 125Ah battery should be fine, most caravans only run 100/125Ah and can last quite a few days not being connected to the mains. Just make sure your lighting is LED as that will be a major part of your consumption. Its not as if you will be leaving the battery at the site, every time you go out for a trip you will be recharging it. Two batteries may increase the life cycle count but will also double the weight (and cost), a single battery can be replaced twice for the same cost but you aren't carting an extra battery around all the time so you save weight and space.

Durite 0-852-50

24V to 12V Split Charger

We have 24V electrics on our Mercedes 614D and 12V leisure batteries (450AH AGM) plus 400W of solar and twin 50A chargers.

http://www.durite.co.uk/WebResources/Common/Docs/technical_sheets/801-900/0-852-50 spec.pdf

Recess a battery box into the floor?

Peter