Member - Nobby replied:

Hi Crazie. Mate they seem to last just over 3 years. Mine died at exactly the same age and overnight. Perfect the afternoon before, s'house next morning. I put in a normal HD battery from RACQ as I was in a hurry to get going. I too am looking at a dual battery system but need to change a few things around in the engine bay to get it in. Where they normally put it(up against the firewall-passenger side) I have the Glind shower system, so the only place I can put it is near the original battery(turned around 90deg) and make a bracket to fit. Will use a 115amp DC for that.

Member - Davoe (WA) replied:

if you are desperate to try and get more life out of it see if you can charge it and take it round to an auto sparky for a load test but after 3 years it is probably stuffed. 4by batteries seem to go more quickjly and often than car batteries but it is because of the extra load required to start a vehicle with 20+ :1 compression to your car at 8.5:1 so wheras a car battery that is nearly knackered will still start your car a diesal will crap out earlier (hang on I have just assumed it is a diesal)
try and get the biggest battery you can you should be able to fit in something around 700cca a decent battery + jump pack combined with regular load testing of the battery especially if going remote should just about make a 2nd battery unnessary unless you are a hard core camper

Member - Banjo (SA) replied:

Crazie - when my original died (2 years !) it ran most circuits but was dead on the starter - 'puter wouldn't allow a start due to lower than specced voltage I think. Got a new one - have since got a third battery - higher spec that is going well (and we need all we can get on the TD Jack as you know) - its a Yuasa Overlander - it has 700 CCA as opposed to the very common 600 CCA in that case size. I run an auxiliary battery also for the toys.

Gajm (VIC) replied:

I think 3 years is about the average life of a starter battery. With the second battery you are trying to fit why not get rid of the Twine, and get one of the portable Glind units, it might give you the room you need, Im sure the Twine would be snapped up on the trader section too.

http://www.glind.com.au/htm/product.asp#The%20Glind%20Quickfit

Truckster (Vic) replied:

If your after a good cheap battery, call Andrew at Blackburn Nissan.

He is doing deals on the Yuasa (I think) Overlanders...

I've been doing lots of dealing with him.. very keen to get 4wders on side.

Great deals on Waecos of all sizes and descriptions.

Member - Bradley replied:

yep they can drop a cell at any time, dont stuff around, chuck it and get a new one.

My choice is the Delkor M27 marine battery n70zz case size 80 a/h 570cca . has main terminals and auxiliary terminals for accessories etc.

It was recommended to me by R&J batteries when they were one of my customers, they import the whole delkor range , i told them what i use it for and that i wanted a no BS recommendation, price is no object, That is what they said would do the job no worries.

And 2 years on its still going like the day i put it in, it is sealed with acid proof breathers and has the magic eye crapola, very well made, even came in a sexy looking box.
Cranks the v6 over flat out, doesnt mind getting discharged with a fridge overnight etc. and can be left sit for ages, they told me it could sit for 8-9 months and still be sweet.

It is bigger than the standard batt but actually fits perfectly in the plastic batt tray and is the same size that the diesel jacks were fitted with.

RRP is about $160 but you should be able to get them down to $140 odd, just tell them R&J bendigo told you to get it. Retailed through heaps of places, try battery world etc out your side.

You will love it, Brad

Member - Crazie (VIC) replied:

Hi Everyone

Thanks for the advise, I have learnt about CCA and mintues running time (RC) and other things on batteries today.

I had to go out before and using the jump pack in the rain just getting tied. I went to where I get my 4wd service and got a new battery. The Jack actually has a huge battery tray and about a third of it was not getting used with the old battery. Anyway, I got a new battery, 720cca, 160minutes RC and a 30month warranty , has the magic eye thing, $150. From all accounts, I think a bloddy good deal.

So from what I understand, it is a total over kill, but will be benifical what running things whilst we have stopped.

Thanks for your help

Crazie

MRTEE ( VIC ) replied:

Hi adam just done a duel battery converstion on my rig very easy 2 hours 4 beers later all done ; very easy to do I fitted a deep cycle to power my new waeco fridge I looked at the engel fridges steel rusts, no good for the boat also thay are alot bigger than the waeco; there 35 ltr is no good for 1.25 bottles which is why the 40 is a bigger seller my 35 ltr waeco stands 1.5 ltr bottles up and cost me $ 649 not $ 1099 the 40 is $ 1299 hope this helps cheers tony

MRTEE ( VIC ) replied:

Hi adam got the fridge from autobarn in narrewaren ,cranbourne have a better range the CDF 35 is a old model the new CF 35 is 240 volt as well as 12 volt but it costs $ 799 not $ 649 it used to sell for $ 799 only ayear ago, repco are selling the same fridge a CDF 40 for $ 699 same fridge diff/ lid B/S regards tony