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hopalong

Member Since: 15 Nov 2020
Location: ade
Posts: 14

Camping with new Defender

We are planning to buy a new 6 pot diesel defender to replace our ancient disco 2. The new car will be used a lot for extended camping trips in the Australian outback. The old disco turned the lights etc off after the doors were left open for about 15 minutes, but on one trip when we were away with a D4, when the doors were left open for a number of hours, the battery flattened as the computers didn't shut down. Typically we arrive at an overnight camp in the late afternoon, all doors are open while setting up camp, cooking the evening meal and getting things out of the car fridge. We tend to leave the doors open until bed time, constantly getting things in and out of the car. The D2 was and is a wonderful camping car ( but is now worn out)
Can anyone please advise what happens when the doors are left open for up to 4 hours, in the new defender. Does the car computer and internal lighting shut down or does it flatten the starter battery?
We hope to see the 6 pot diesel defender here in Australia in the next few weeks.
Hope to hear some feedback

30th Jan 2021 5:34am

Simon Audi

Member Since: 19 Nov 2020
Location: Newport
Posts: 544

I think (dont have car yet) they turn off after a time - but you can also turn them off by holding in the overhead switch for a time.

Its mentioned in some video or other somewhere (Powerful UK?)

30th Jan 2021 5:41am

zilch

Member Since: 11 Sep 2019
Location: Whitsundays & Sydney
Posts: 820

Re: Camping with new Defender

hopalong wrote:
Can anyone please advise what happens when the doors are left open for up to 4 hours, in the new defender. Does the car computer and internal lighting shut down or does it flatten the starter battery?

from owner reports on the Facebook groups it seems the battery drains unless the doors are closed, and possibly
locked (that will need further checking). I am sure i read that locking the vehicle puts it into hibernation mode,
whereas leaving it open means the ECU's etc continually draw power in anticipation of the vehicle starting.

Might be worth joining the "All New Defenders Owner group" and the "Australian All New Defender Owners group"
if you are on Facebook to get some definitive feedback/answers The majority on those groups seem to be getting
their Deffers into the wilds and a few with modifications to make them more "touring" friendly. yet another pommie bar steward down under

MY20 110 P400 SE Defender
MY10 3.0 RR Sport

1st Feb 2021 3:11am

weeman

Member Since: 13 Sep 2020
Location: AUS
Posts: 8

I camped with mine over the Christmas break and had 3 nights with the doors / boot constantly being opened without starting the car.

I did get a low battery warning on the main display on the 3rd day, but the car still started without issues. I probably wouldn't want to risk going much longer without starting.

One thing to note is that the 12v / USB sockets all become active for a period of time (maybe 5min) when doors / boot are opened which could drain the battery quicker if you have devices plugged into these. I use a large portable battery bank (1kwh) which I charge off the 12v socket in the boot, so I disconnected this to prevent additional draining.

1st Feb 2021 5:48am

camelman

Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3373

Re: Camping with new Defender

hopalong wrote:
We are planning to buy a new 6 pot diesel defender to replace our ancient disco 2. The new car will be used a lot for extended camping trips in the Australian outback. The old disco turned the lights etc off after the doors were left open for about 15 minutes, but on one trip when we were away with a D4, when the doors were left open for a number of hours, the battery flattened as the computers didn't shut down. Typically we arrive at an overnight camp in the late afternoon, all doors are open while setting up camp, cooking the evening meal and getting things out of the car fridge. We tend to leave the doors open until bed time, constantly getting things in and out of the car. The D2 was and is a wonderful camping car ( but is now worn out)
Can anyone please advise what happens when the doors are left open for up to 4 hours, in the new defender. Does the car computer and internal lighting shut down or does it flatten the starter battery?
We hope to see the 6 pot diesel defender here in Australia in the next few weeks.
Hope to hear some feedback

If you're doing extended camping trips wouldn't you be looking at a 2nd battery anyway?

1st Feb 2021 8:27am

DSL

Member Since: 20 Aug 2007
Location: Wandering the wasteland.
Posts: 837

And/or a jump start pack?

1st Feb 2021 8:32am

G4R1

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Barnet/Limassol
Posts: 131

On mine after about 10 mins the light switches off automatically. Also mine is mhev and according to my dealer there is 48v to 12v convertor that allows to use 48v battery as “aid” battery if the main battery low on charge. 3.0L MHVE D200 S Pangea Green+Black Pack
Adv. + Off-Road and Family Packs

2nd Feb 2021 7:17pm

hopalong

Member Since: 15 Nov 2020
Location: ade
Posts: 14

Thanks for your replies people,
On the old car we have 3 batteries, cranking, fridge and accessories, and carry jumper leads.
On our very long trips (up to 14 weeks) we travel with other people. We are old hands at remote travel and hope the new defender is as useful as the old disco for this purpose.

Click image to enlarge

3rd Feb 2021 7:41am

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