gel batteries under bonnet

frank...you have a link to that ?...i cant find it

Last paragraph on this page.

Admittedly a re-seller, and, errr, it's "not recommended" not "unsuitable". But I wouldn't mind betting if you made a warranty claim on an under-bonnet installation you'd likely be unsuccessful.

Cheers

Here's another one. About half way down.

I presume if retailers are saying this the info comes from the distributors or the factory.

they specifically relate to deep cycle..not he HC.....but I get the point.

irks me tho, that Fullriver web site doesnt seem to be up front (IMO) with the info.

Correction, I just saw you are suggesting two fullrivers. I had only the aux as AGM.

Just on that under bonnet application for AGM's - Century is one manufacturer that declares warranty void if used under bonnet.

so why the hell do they make a 900 CCA battery but you cant install it under the bonnet??? doesnt make sense does it?

looks like it will need to be wet type going by answers below.

There are plenty of situations where a 900 CCA cranking battery is required that is not under a car bonnet

We have three batteries, all of them are Allrounders and they are split in a single for crank and two in parallel for accessories and with a redarc 200 amp isolator they can be switched to the crank for extra cranking or winching as required. We have talked about installing a battery management system but have held off thinking about water problems.

With the redarc mounted behind the grill is there any concern with deep water crossings? On a recent Balfour crossing we had water lapping the windscreen. We have a 100 series and the mounting could be the same.

May I say that we are not into hooning through the bush, charging into water nor "playing" in mud. Quite the opposite. We will go around if needed but we do like a challenge.

You mentioned a momentary switch for isolator control. I have not used a momentary switch because when winching I want all batteries in circuit and I may need both hands for car control.

Thanks

Good job - bye the way.

Hi
I looked long and hard at the position of that Redarc and I was satisfied that its position is ok (its actually quite high up if you look closely)

Certainly at that height any water crossings should be whilst moving forward and the bow wave and a "dousing" certainly will not hurt it I am sure

If your not moving forward and you have water at that height there is bigger issues to worry about than that item

Yes we can all plan a crossing that does not intend to rise above the pre walked height and chosen path ......but I have never forgotten a return crossing in the NT I did a few hours after going through.....water depth hadn't changed...the light pattern did under the rain forest canopy and so my driving line altered slightly...it was windscreen wiper depth and so close to losing my bow wave I was nearly in serious sh**

Hopefully when I winch the motor will be running.....the momentary switch is to make sure I can start it if the winch has pulled the start battery down and I stall it in driving/winching.......or it wasnt running when I winched

I debated wiring it to the AUX but decided the alternator on the start battery and the winch off there was they way to go

Always a worry when the water is over the bonnet. Been in water that was a foot deep in the cabin of the truck (see below) that was one of the many that I drove as a recovery mech, driver and offsider in Nashos.

Our winch cables are also run to the main battery but the positive only connected as required.

It isn't a big issue with the motor being sparsely flooded. Helps being diesel and having a well sealed snorkel and extra water proofing done. But that shouldn't happen because, as you said, you should be moving forward. I also use a water blind what the water depth is expected to be over the tops of the wheels.Well we plan to and I understand how you can find a "hidden" deep spot, so the rule is flexible.

From a TV show I believe the innards of the Redarc box are water proofed so it may be okay. We are looking at the box being installed in the cabin. An option that we have not ruled out as yet. Besides it's all working fine as is and maybe the controller is not needed.

Cheers and Merry Christmas

bungarra,
Just wondering what you're using for short circuit protection?
In a front end crash, you won't want the cables to short and start a fire.
Cheers
Phil

mmm can I afford optima's

Hi Phil

Cant see a problem with the wiring there at all......

the circuit is completely protected with fast acting circuit breakers at both batteries and so in the event of a front end or any collision for that matter the only "live" point is at the batteries terminals along with every other device both OEM and add on's at the battery

secondly the only thing standing between the DCDC charger and the engine bay is a flimsy radiator bracket...a mixture of thin pressed steel for rigidity and some dense plastic molding........Any high end front end collision is soon going to push all that back....well into batteries and wiring even "unmodified" vehicle standard ex factory

cheers

Member # 1

I paid $349 delivered to WA from the East !....a huge discount when priced locally here

so shop around.........

how did you get a D31 under the bonnet?

Optima D31A is actually smaller all round and only a fraction higher than the OEM battery....very easy fit

but the Optima D31 battery is 325Lx171x238...thats bigger isnt it?

I think the battery trays are only 315L or something like that?

Make sure you are talking the same battery

I wrote that it was Optima Yellow (Gold) Top D31A

That is what I installed and as stated previously fits sweet.

Cheers

Here is a Link

http://optimabatteries.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Group-D31A-YellowTop.pdf

I think Phil's suggestions are pretty good.
Fullrivers are good batteries but do have limitations and are exxy.

Heat is a killer of batteries, especially AGM's which are typically specified to 50c max. (including Fullriver).
The temperature next to the batteries in my Troopy measured at 70c on a day of 27c ambient and little load, which is why I installed a heat shield.

Incidentally, your thread heading said "gel" batteries, although you then referred to AGM's. Probably a slip but do not even think of putting Gel's in an engine compartment.

Thanks Phil and Allan

Yes a slip allan...

I got my camper fullrivers from them Phil at a good price, so will go back to them again.

Still cant fathom why they build Hi crank (HC Series) batteries with the spill saying they are suiatble for 4WD if they are not really suitable for under bonnet applications?...I hate misleading info or that which is not clearly spelt out in the sales brochures!!

thanks Steve

another supercharge user....

Add me to that list - a Supercharge Allrounder flooded dual purpose deep cycle/crank battery under the bonnet where it does get hot.

I have seen a measured BATTERY temp in that battery of 62 degC

Cheers
Frank

thats appears to be the way to go...but not for under the bonnet situations.

Ta Pater

Reading that it sounded like the answer to a maiden's prayer. That is, until I saw: "REGULAR CHARGE CURRENT 8.0 Amps". Now it isn't clear how "regular" relates to "maximum", but it did raise a red flag for me.

And it raises my 'Red Flag' that this innovative technology is not prominent on established technology news sites.

I would like to carefully read their legal warranty document.

I hadn't noticed the 8 amps so I gave SSB a bell and not the reseller.

They stated the 8 amp charge rate was for maintaining the battery with a charger and the rate was between 8 and 20 amps with 20 amps the max.

I asked about the alternator and they said no problems at all as long as the charge voltage was between 13.4 and 14.4 volts.

I then rang our local battery mob that sells them and his response was. I have been in batteries for many years and have always told others not to put agm's under the bonnet. He then went on to say that they do warrant them under the bonnet and with the way the battery manufacturing industry is, we will be inundated with rapid change.

......."we will be inundated with rapid change."

I look forward to that!

The future is already here.

It is spelled L I T H I U M.

:-)

Alan,
Yes, I look at rapid change that improves any component. I never liked the T model ford much anyway.

Yep! I have a battery pack that sits in my hand, weighs nothing and can start my vehicle with a flat battery. Many car transporters are using them. Rapid change I guess, although they have been on the market for awhile.

I wish we could go back to the good old days of crank handles LOL. I still have a dicky thumb from one of those gems when I had a few to many to drink.

Here is another agm that is warranted under the bonnet.

AGM deep cycle under bonnet battery

Frank,
My understanding is that Lithium batteries of all variants do not like heat any more than AGMs. In fact heated Lithiums can react violently.

Allan,

Yes, you may be right. My comment was a generalisation and a little flippant, though I do believe, in essence, what I said.

I will try to get some definite info on operation of LiFePO4 in hot environments and post back here.

Cheers and Happy Christmas

Frank

Nuthin wrong with a bit of flippancy Frank, especially at this time of year. LOL

The lead-acid technology has been with us for a very long time and we may well expect a change for the better.

Slowie,

Crank handles I can live without, but I have made a note of that Ultimate for when I next need to replace my AGMs. Thanks mate.

Alan,
no worries. It's just that times are a changing and I struggle with it big time.

I just hope #1 does his homework and chooses wisely.

that battery has an impressive fact sheet

but... is it genuine

but it does have a 48 month warranty...
Slow One......decisions decisions....and I hoped this was going to easy...lol

Picking up new Pajero next week and have started ordering bits and pieces ready for it. Went with the Redarc bcdc1220 and a 12 VOLT 130AH 1000CCA SSB DRYFIT BATTERY AGM DEEP CYCLE. I have had a lithium SSB in my motorcycle for a while and it is brilliant. Battery was about $290 delivered from 4WD EXTREME in Adelaide. It will be going in the 3rd row seat compartment after they are removed. 31KGS is a lot of weight sitting on a tray mounted to a guard and firewall. Too hot under the bonnet for an AGM as well in my opinion. I believe this battery is also made from the heat proof housing material.

Time will tell.