Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
My split charge system
As the weathers changing for the best I decided to install a split charge system to Vinnie mainly for running a coolbox/fridge whilst camping but to also charge phones and other bits too. After reading many other threads on here and getting some good advice regarding different methods (Iguana, Sailorboi & Nic Symonds) I decided I was going to use the T-max Split Charge System.
I'm not keen on adding extra bits to the cab of the D3 where they will be on view and pondered on a few locations to mount the T-max controller, eventually I decided for me the best location would be the upper glove box! So with this in mind I started working my way back from there towards the spare battery box under the bonnet. I drilled a small hole in the corner of the upper glove box and threaded the wires through, I then went on to route them behind the glove boxes.
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Then from the drivers side footwell I pushed a length of solder through to the passenger footwell to use as a pull through, taped the wires to it then pulled them back through.
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From here I ran them under the carpet and over to the grommet leading to the engine bay. As you can see I pushed a screwdriver through the grommet and nearly caused myself all sorts of issues
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I then replaced the screwdriver with the solder and pulled them through into the engine bay
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The red wire will be too short so I will extend this to reach the main battery. This is how I will use the controller when needed
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And when not in use I will just leave it tucked away like so
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Last edited by Iceman08 on 2nd Aug 2017 11:03 am. Edited 5 times in total
26th Apr 2015 12:50 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
I next moved my attention to building the rear panel that will house the 12v sockets and usb sockets. I pretty much copied another forum members (Nic Symons) design for this. Firstly I cut a piece of ply to fit inside the back of the rear drivers side cubby panel
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Then I marked out where I wanted all the items to go with a pencil and tape measure and started cutting/drilling. After I had marked out the rectangle hole for the volt gauge I then removed the ply and cut a bigger rectangle out of that too
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Until I had this
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On the back I fitted a fuse box screwed to the ply and set about wiring it all up.The blue wire and smaller wires going to the volt gauge are only temporary as I didn't have the right size cable to finish them
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I then hooked it up to a spare battery to test it all worked.........which it did
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Once I was happy it was all working I put the panel back into its location to see how it looked
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Next step is to source some small black screws to fit the socket surrounds on properly and then to get a yellow top Optima battery ordered as well as a battery clamp to fit the spare tray. Once that is in place I will measure up the length of cable needed from the aux battery to the rear and get my local auto electrical shop to make it up for me ready to be threaded onto it's final position.
Last edited by Iceman08 on 2nd Aug 2017 11:27 am. Edited 2 times in total
26th Apr 2015 12:51 pm
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Looking good
IVe just started something similar myself. Just need the cable to go from aux battery to rear cubby. I'm sure someone will know how long it needs to be.
Cheers
AndyD4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
26th Apr 2015 7:01 pm
SWR
Member Since: 07 Nov 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 840
Looks really good.
Where did you get your golf meter and sockets from please.
How thick is the plyboard you used?
Thanks
SimonD3 HSE TDV6 Auto. Bonatti Grey.
Mods:
V8 Brake upgrade (front Only), Full height Luggage guard, Rubber mats all round, RLD spare wheel protector, Terra Firma Steering and Transmission guard, Smoooooth Nappa steering wheel, Clock on dash and Reverse home lights. National Luna split charge system, front and rear light guards, Danhag GSM (on loan), JE stage 1 remap... Zero money
26th Apr 2015 10:59 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Re: My split charge system
Iceman08 wrote:
From here I ran them under the carpet and over to the grommet leading to the engine bay. As you can see I pushed a screwdriver through the grommet and nearly caused myself all sorts of issues
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Iceman, thats a really really lucky call there with that wiring.
You've gone through the wrong grommet, there is a much better one to the right of the Brake Booster tucked away into the bulkhead. You can put a screwdriver through that one with no risk to the wires.
The preferred route is the one to the right as most vehicles are Auto's and it is used only for the Manual clutch cable, so plenty big enough for the cables that are normally needed.
I like the 'box' being tucked away in the glove box. :thumbsup:
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Bodsys Brake Bible
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28th Apr 2015 10:26 am
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9402
Cracking job there Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
28th Apr 2015 1:36 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
SWR wrote:
Looks really good.
Where did you get your golf meter and sockets from please.
How thick is the plyboard you used?
Thanks
Simon
Sorry for the late reply! The plyboard was 1/2" thick and all the other bits were off eBay.
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
Re: My split charge system
Bodsy wrote:
Iceman08 wrote:
From here I ran them under the carpet and over to the grommet leading to the engine bay. As you can see I pushed a screwdriver through the grommet and nearly caused myself all sorts of issues
[URL=]
Click image to enlarge
[/URL]
[URL=]
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[/URL]
Iceman, thats a really really lucky call there with that wiring.
You've gone through the wrong grommet, there is a much better one to the right of the Brake Booster tucked away into the bulkhead. You can put a screwdriver through that one with no risk to the wires.
The preferred route is the one to the right as most vehicles are Auto's and it is used only for the Manual clutch cable, so plenty big enough for the cables that are normally needed.
I like the 'box' being tucked away in the glove box.
I was slightly worried to say the least that i'd done some serious damage!
I'm guessing your referring to this grommet?
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If so it looks a million times easier to get at Thanks for that, i'll pull the cables out and re route them through that grommet I think, and also my new positive cable for the rear will go through there too!
The glovebox was the only place I was happy with putting the controller.........so thats where it went! :thumbsup:
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated
Last edited by Iceman08 on 2nd Aug 2017 11:29 am. Edited 1 time in total
28th Apr 2015 11:34 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
Iguana wrote:
Cracking job there
Cheers mate, a lot of inspiration taken from your build
28th Apr 2015 11:36 pm
SWR
Member Since: 07 Nov 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 840
Thanks Iceman will take a look at those parts. D3 HSE TDV6 Auto. Bonatti Grey.
Mods:
V8 Brake upgrade (front Only), Full height Luggage guard, Rubber mats all round, RLD spare wheel protector, Terra Firma Steering and Transmission guard, Smoooooth Nappa steering wheel, Clock on dash and Reverse home lights. National Luna split charge system, front and rear light guards, Danhag GSM (on loan), JE stage 1 remap... Zero money
29th Apr 2015 12:34 am
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
No worries, I asked at a timber merchants for an off cut of ply so it didn't cost me anything
29th Apr 2015 11:36 am
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
A bit more progress today......
After Bodsy telling me of the better grommet to use I pulled the cables back into the drivers footwell and fed them back into the engine bay via the new improved grommet
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I removed the siren for better access as I don't use it anyway and mounted an inline fuse holder to the inner wing behind it. I then went on to route the positive cable from the holder to the rear cubby, it still needs tidying up in the engine bay yet. The cable that was recommended was 16mm2, 110 amp.
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I ran it behind the foam near the pedals and down in the corner where I fed it all the way to the rear in a duct that already houses cables
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Under the little tunnel into the 2nd row area
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I decided to use one of the already threaded holes for my earth so I gave it a good clean up and attached my negative lead to it
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I've also taken delivery of this bad boy, so hopefully not long now and it'll all be up and running 8)
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Last edited by Iceman08 on 2nd Aug 2017 12:22 pm. Edited 5 times in total
30th Apr 2015 11:07 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
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Posts: 21361
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30th Apr 2015 11:10 pm
Jay666d
Member Since: 11 Feb 2014
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 753
Awesome write up!
You really went to town on removing panels. I went the same route to get power to my roof lights, but didn't want to take all those rear panels off... Ended up fishing the wires thru with a fibreglass rod, much like you did with the solder! 07 Land Rover Discovery III HSE
07 BMW 1200 GS Adventure
08 Mercedes Sprinter
30th Apr 2015 11:54 pm
SWR
Member Since: 07 Nov 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 840
Excellent Iceman,
I am following this with real interest.
Any tips to remove the rear qtr plastic trimm?
Already have the split charge system in, just need to get the feed to the rear of the car now.
I also planned to use the earth that is already there inside behind the rear lights in the back corner. Any reason you didn't use that?
cheers.D3 HSE TDV6 Auto. Bonatti Grey.
Mods:
V8 Brake upgrade (front Only), Full height Luggage guard, Rubber mats all round, RLD spare wheel protector, Terra Firma Steering and Transmission guard, Smoooooth Nappa steering wheel, Clock on dash and Reverse home lights. National Luna split charge system, front and rear light guards, Danhag GSM (on loan), JE stage 1 remap... Zero money
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