Member Since: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 220
I'd not noticed that - will have a look as I'd like to get the lid on if at all possible.
19th Oct 2008 10:00 am
TallPaul
Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Near Reading
Posts: 1214
I was looking at this recently, as I could not get the terminals I had bought to clear nicely (cut them down in the end) but basically the cover seems to be there to stop all the grime getting around the brake components etc. Also, it does seem to be there to stop water running down against the bulkhead when wading.
The cover should fit if you hacked it about a bit I reckon, say cut along the short side and some slits so it pushed it up, better than nothing? You could re-seal the whole lot with some tape. I bet they are not much to buy if you ever want to reverse the process.
There are lots of threads on other LR forums about using the alternator feed for switching a relay, have to be careful with alternator type from what I read. If you don't want a proper split charge, what about a simple voltage sensing relay, they are slightly more expensive, but less wiring.
20th Oct 2008 12:01 pm
Carabraxis
Member Since: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 220
I was avoiding the voltage sensing type as I figured the variable charging voltage from the D3 would confuse it. If that's not the case then its a good way to go.
The other question I guess is what is proper split charging. Other than display units and link switches surely all any of them are is a relay that is actuated by some means when the engine is running.
As all I am going to be using this for is charging the kids toys and running a small cool box for my lunch in the summer I wanted to keep it as simple as possible - I would even be happy with a manual switch to turn the solenoid on.
The other driving force for using the leisure battery is that it is a spare for the tin tent and having it under the bonnet keeps it charged and able to be used in the van if we are without electrics for an extended time.
20th Oct 2008 12:23 pm
TallPaul
Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Near Reading
Posts: 1214
"proper split charging" is a long debate with no clear answer it seems based on previous threads!
I guess the number 1 aim is to only charge the secondary battery, once the primary is full. There are ways of doing this, but detecting voltage is one of them. You don't need a display really, they serve little purpose when you know what you are draining, but for casual camping weekend away I think its a useful feature to see how flat the secondary is.
You can just join the batteries as you said, I used to have a system in an car I owned a while back where a simple timer (maplin or somewhere) counted to 30 before joining the batteries once the ignition was on. This gave time to start the car before the load of the second battery was added to the alternator. Worked of for me for 5 years.
The danger with a manual switch, is that you can forget and leave the batteries joined flattening your primary, if it really is manual. If you take the manual switch from the ignition, then you can't go wrong I guess.
Lots people on here have a straighforward relay from the ignition between the two with isolation, works ok for them. Another chunk have the australian drivesafe system that is voltage sensed, and provides either 40A or 80A charge to the secondary (depending on the model). This is simple to fit, but means you can't jump the car from the secondary as the current capacity is too low. Some others (me included) have complicated systems like the IBS one, which voltage sense from a control box, join with a relay and have a display so you can see charge and manually link the batteries to jump from the secondary.
Its horses for courses really, I would go with something simple and low cost for what you want, but I would advise against taking an alternator feed unless you are sure you know where to connect it based on problems others have seen on Defenders with alternators feeds.
20th Oct 2008 2:13 pm
charlietortoise
Member Since: 29 Oct 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 502
Good info
Hi, this is good info. ThanksDiscovery 4 3.0 HSE 2010 year. I like it a lot. Now with winch 😂
14th Jan 2019 11:07 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72775
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14th Jan 2019 12:06 pm
charlietortoise
Member Since: 29 Oct 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 502
Thread
Search is a magical toolDiscovery 4 3.0 HSE 2010 year. I like it a lot. Now with winch 😂
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