Talk to me about batteries!

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

bankz5152

Well-Known Member
Posts
9,125
Location
South London/North Kent
I think my 'slow' starting issue is mainly down to a poor battery as when I had a look at it the other day it has a sticker on top saying 'Fully Charged X2'. To me that suggests its died and been charged twice...

I want to get a good reliable battery as with bucket seats its a real pain to get into the battery box.

My landy will eventually have a winch (not for comp use), camping fridge (though only run with the engine, maybe a few hours without) and a fair bit of auxiliary lighting (mostly LED). I was thinking something like the Odyssey PC1700. Though is there a cheaper/better alternative? I.e is the Odyssey worth the money or is there a bit of 'brand tax' thrown on top or is that overkill for what I want?

Its for a 04 TD5 Defender.

I ask as I am generally utterly **** with car leccy!
 
Hi Bankz5152,

I would have thought having that little lot connected, even with a nice new spanking battery fitted , it would be a good idea to be able to jump it if needed. Might it not be a good idea to fit an anderson connector as a safeguard.

Other than that, I just fitted the biggest AH and CCA Battery I could on my D2. Tayna website is useful as it gives battery sizes,terminal positions, so even if you do not use them you get an idea of the fit to your Landie.

Cheers
 
That was the plan, have a 175amp Anderson Connector in the footwell connected directly to the battery just in case, also useful for when I need to jump other vehicles.

The Tayna website is very good indeed, though when it comes to the brands and such are there any to avoid?
 
Ahh ok cheers! So that fridge would probably draw around 10 amps, depleting the Optima battery in ~5 hours or the Odyssey in ~6.8 hours? Probably is good enough.

Though what about winch use? Providing the engine is running? Winch use would be very occasional if I even fit one in the end. In two minds about it really.
 
Note that the higher the discharge rate, the lower the returned capacity, so a 110AH battery at the 20hr rate (which is what most lead-acid battery capacities are rated at) of 5.5A will fall to around 90AH or maybe a bit less at 10A discharge rate.

Peter
 
The Odyssey is 68ah while the Optima is 50ah, that much of a difference?

Yep. and you'll notice it on a cold morning too. I would suggest at least 75Ah as a minimum, and preferably more - lightly loaded batteries last a lot longer than ones at the limit of their abilities...

Note that the higher the discharge rate, the lower the returned capacity, so a 110AH battery at the 20hr rate (which is what most lead-acid battery capacities are rated at) of 5.5A will fall to around 90AH or maybe a bit less at 10A discharge rate.

Peter

Agreed - and with your fridge, this needs careful consideration...

twin batteries fit in the seat box,

This, IMHO, in the way to do this - twin set ups, if wired correctly can be amazing - on a cold morning, give both batteries the task of starting the engine, and you'll hardly hear the starter motor. IME, its best to make sure they are only connected for charging and discharging - the self discharge rates of each battery will be different, and they can "argue" with each other..... it tend to get older in "later life" :D <- edit (!!) that was supposed to say "get worse", not get older :rolleyes:

Ive seen twin set ups before but honestly dont think I need it.

Don't take this the wrong way, but i think you'd be well advised to re-consider :)
 
Last edited:
In which case get the highest capacity in terms of Ah and CCA that you can fit in the battery box!
 
Mainly the cost of a split charge system and the work required to fit it all in, while I agree it is the best system just not for me right now. That said im not 100% against the idea just need to be convinced its worth the time and effort to do.

It hardly gets cold here in the south and if it does, it goes in the garage.

So what is the biggest battery, in terms of dimensions, i can fit? I would go a measure myself but as mentioned its a right pain to remove my seats.
 
Last edited:
I think what yer needs is a caravan leisure battery, they are designed to ruun ansilarys. I would read up on this type, deep cycle cells. You can charge this from a simple spliter designed for dual plug tow bar electrics. Hope this helps
 
What about this bastard? https://www.tayna.co.uk/19001340-Enduroline-Battery-for-Land-Rover-P9037.html

Voltage 12 Volts
Technology Wet
Capacity (C20) 120 Ah
Capacity (C100) 133 Ah
CCA 1000 A
Length 330 mm
Width 175 mm
Height 235 mm
Guarantee 4 Years
£109.99

Far as I can tell that should fit, bundles of capacity and plenty of crank power. Could anyone confirm if it will fit?

That's a beast alright. :)
I don't have a winch. I've watched them being used in competitions. From my observations, I would think that you wouldn't need a split battery arrangement. If you are running a lot of ancillary leisure stuff, like standing still in all night in a camper conversion then yes. Having said that, I'm just going off what I have read about.
To be more helpful, I can whip my passenger seat off tomorrow night and measure the depth of the seat box for you.
I could also measure my battery as I've only had it a few months and when I put it in I had a little panic as I thought it wasn't going to fit. It does, but I wouldn't want one much bigger!
Let me know if this would help.
 
Back
Top