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simons17



Member Since: 21 Dec 2013
Location: Beverley
Posts: 29

United Kingdom 
2nd aux battery
Evening all


I Am Looking at putting more aux batteries into my defender for longer lasting battery life when camping .

I have a split charge system already installed and have acquired 2 more 110 amp hour leisure batteries. I have a red and yellow top batteries already installed in the car.

My questions are ,

can the 300 tdi alternator cope or should I replace it , if so with what size altenator.

Is it ok to mix the amp hour rating batteries on the same circuit id the 2 110 s and the yellow top

Any advice will be greatly recieved

Thanks in advance

Simon
Post #562484 8th Sep 2016 6:27pm
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Mash



Member Since: 09 Feb 2015
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1674

Guernsey 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
You could always add a second alternator to your engine, the wolf fleet run one alt for the vehicle and a second one for the 4 radio batts. 90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html
110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html
52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html
D3 Hse - Fiona
Capri 2l S - Anna

Think I might have a problem............
Post #562638 9th Sep 2016 7:13am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
Does the 300tdi Defender run the 100amp alternator as standard? I know that Discoverys did and they would happily cope with a couple of extra big batteries, as I had two in the Desert Wolf trailer that I towed with mine. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #562650 9th Sep 2016 8:02am
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4ndy



Member Since: 04 Jun 2016
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 17

I've enjoyed living "off grid" for a few years before meeting my better half, relying on 12v batteries and an inverter, so perhaps I could offer some insight?

The question really is how much energy you're going to remove from your batteries between charges, how quickly you want to recharge them and how quickly they can receive that charge.

A 50 amp alternator will look after dozens of batteries, if you're only using an LED torch and recharging them daily.
Likewise, a 100 amp alternator will bulk charge two smaller batteries very quickly, but the final charging will take just as long as with a smaller alternator but this is a common setup for weekend camping.

Is a solar panel a possibility with your setup? Especially in the long summer days, a 90w panel with controller can easily keep up with an efficient 12v fridge and mobile phone charging (and is relatively cheap nowadays).

You can mix different rated batteries, but it's not "best practice" and you can only consider the lower capacity battery in your capacity calculations if you want to keep the bank healthy.

If you know the current draw of your devices and how long between charges you want to run them then I could assist further. Not an owner... yet!
Post #562667 9th Sep 2016 9:49am
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simons17



Member Since: 21 Dec 2013
Location: Beverley
Posts: 29

United Kingdom 
I have various appliances running off my car Ie fridge inverter lights etc . I am going to add a solar panel at some point . It is a 100 amp altenator fitted .

Thanks for the advice I wasn't sure if it would overload the altenator .

Simon
Post #562751 9th Sep 2016 4:26pm
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4ndy



Member Since: 04 Jun 2016
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 17

Hi Simon,

The alternator will happily provide its maximum output as long as it is adequately cooled. Often when an alternator "burns out" it is because the engine has been left idling for long periods of time to charge the batteries. At idle the alternator will give out a large amount of its output but wont be spinning quickly enough to cool itself.
On boats it's normal to run the engine above idle for charging, but it's becoming more common to have a large solar bank and a small gennie for winter to reduce main engine wear.

My aim is to have 2x110 batteries, linked to the alternator for on the move charging, followed up by solar panels and a small 5 stage charger to maintain the batteries (on a trailer so will be in the garage for weeks on end). Not an owner... yet!
Post #562758 9th Sep 2016 4:54pm
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simons17



Member Since: 21 Dec 2013
Location: Beverley
Posts: 29

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the advice . It been a big help

Sounds like we will be running similar set ups

Simon
Post #562862 10th Sep 2016 6:59am
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simons17



Member Since: 21 Dec 2013
Location: Beverley
Posts: 29

United Kingdom 
Picked up a solar panel at the weekend , it works a treat just got to wire in a bit more suitable
Post #567673 29th Sep 2016 8:22pm
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