Aux battery advice for Troopy

Submitted: Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 01:02

ThreadID: 90390 Views:4856 Replies:7 FollowUps:7

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Battery Power

In this article we explain why you might need an additional power source independent of the starting battery installed into your vehicle and we look in detail at types of batteries,

MarkLH69

We got a 2003 78-series Troopy Bushcamper.
I want to replace the aux battery which is currently a N70Z size battery.

Not sure exactly what it is, its is red and black. It has an RAC sticker on it, but seems to be of some Chinese origin. It says C1007082d1 on it and Yanghouz Apollo battery.
Anyway, I'm not sure if it is a Deep Cycle or how old it is .. so I plan on replacing it before a big trip. It does seem to stay above 11.5v for about 10 hours on the fridge, so its not too bad, but it looks old and has some white deposits under it).

I was looking at a Remco RM12-100 AGM, but I know they are not recommended for under bonnet due to heat (though I don't think it would get that hot as its a fair gap to the engine). Its also no bigger than the current battery, so would fit physically.

I also liked the sound of the Trojan 27-TMH wet battery, but its 248mm high which means it would hit the bonnet (the current battery is 201mm and maybe 225mm with the terminals and connectors). There is no room for a taller battery it would seem.

Whats a good aux battery to get that is standard N70Z size and will survive under the bonnet (at least for a few years).
It will primarily run a 2-way fridge (Engel 40-50 litre, which is about 7 years old, but now has in-line low volt cut out set to 11.5v).
It will be charged with alternator when on move (SBI12 isloator present) and through a CTEK 2500 mains charger when needed (via mains or 240v hook-up to generator).

Thanks
Mark (Perth).

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Reply By: robert s4 - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 01:44

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 01:44

not sure of the size but have you looked at mp 720 100a/h

AnswerID: 471403

Reply By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 08:55

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 08:55

Hi Mark,

for under-the-bonnet, you can't go past a flooded battery which has screw caps for occasional watering. Try to find a calcium/calcium type with screw caps.

If that's not available get a hybrid calcium/antimony with screw caps.
If you can't find that either get a non-servicable aka 'maintenance free' calcium/calcium, or even an AGM.
You need a N70x sized battery.

cheers, Peter

AnswerID: 471415

Reply By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 09:50

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 09:50

Hi Mark,

For interest and info only ...

In my 120 Series diesel Prado the aux battery is behind the RHS headlight. My dc-dc charger for the aux battery has battery temp compensation and over-temp cutout and displays battery temperature if you want it to.

I've seen battery temps of 63 deg C. (The charger stops charging at 50 deg C to prevent thermal runaway, but continues to display battery temp.)

Battery temp will go over 50deg during a run if ambient temp is above 25.

Cheers

Frank

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AnswerID: 471419

Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 09:52

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 09:52

In my reply I meant to quote Mark for context ...

" though I don't think it would get that hot as its a fair gap to the engine"

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FollowupID: 746059

Reply By: ross - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 10:07

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 10:07

Mark ,I have a couple of big chinese batteries,N70z I think, and they are still going strong in my HZJ75.
One is about 3 years old and the other about 2 years.

I also have a deep cycle AGM battery in the back which is charged from the aux battery under the bonnet.
The fridge is connected to this

I have a generator and 15000 Ctek and rarely need to use them as I go for a drive most days.

AnswerID: 471421

Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 11:54

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 11:54

I have a V8 diesel Troopy – the engine bay temperature, near to the rear battery, runs near 80 deg C. Tempuratures inside the front battery runs at 63 deg whilst the rear battery runs at 68 deg. Measured by a thermometer inserted into the electrolyte on a 35 degree day.
In this environment I would only use a flooded battery that could be topped up and maintained.
That being said I would be also be wary of a flooded antimonial alloy battery– I had a top quality American deep cycle battery – excellent for Fork lifts etc. In my engine bay’s temperature it consumed excess amounts of water, spitting out its electrolyte and died after 2 years.
I now have flooded antimonial/calcium batteries that don’t have that problem.
I wouldn’t use a AGM batteries in these temperatures as they are outside the manufacturers specifications.
Regards Dennis

AnswerID: 471432

Reply By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 11:58

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 11:58

HI Mark, I went through this a while ago and you don't want to put an AGM battery in as a replacement. I wanted a battery that would give me the best of both worlds and was a premium battery. I chose the Yuasa Power Series Ultra (Century owned) in the N70 style. This battery is designed to last 3-4 times longer than imported no-name and is designed for the toughest conditions. It is a premium battery that you could really rely on when your out in the middle of nowhere. Peter maybe able to shed more light.

http://www.centuryyuasa.com.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=11080&cid=5468&application=3&producttype=59&productsubtype=74&type=658

AnswerID: 471434

Follow Up By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 15:45

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 15:45

Hi TerraFirma,

At high temperatures, next to outgassing, grid corrosion is the main failure mode.
A small amount of silver in the grid alloy seems to counter this effect somewhat.

Now let's compare the statements from two manufacturers:

http://www.bosch.com.au/content/language1/downloads/a_section.pdf

On page 13, they claim up to 3 times longer life when compared to calcium/calcium and silver alloys from the competition:

*Imported Product & Leading Competitor are Calcium Calcium & Silver Alloy products respectively. Based on independent 3rd party testing, using
battery testing standard JIS D 5301 1999 Light Load Endurance Test at 75 degrees centigrade of 11 plate multi-fit product readily available on
reseller shelves, commissioned by Century Yuasa Batteries Pty Ltd. Results released April 2004.

Whereas the manufacturer of your choice at first sight seems to claim the same, but when you look closer, there's a significant difference in that the first sentence was omitted.

*Based on independent third-party testing, commissioned by Century Yuasa, using international battery testing standard JIS D 5301 1999 Light Load Endurance test at 75 degrees centigrade of an 11 plate multi-fit product readily available on reseller shelves. Results released April, 2004.

What this means is that company A compare their product to an already high standard product from the competition, while the manufacturer of your choice compare their product to a lesser product from the competition (the missing words are Ca/Ca and silver).

I'd go with manufacturer A, and ensure you get a battery with silver alloy.
By coincidence I've such a product in my car and it is date stamped June 2005.

cheers, Peter

FollowupID: 746092

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 15:56

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 15:56

Hi Peter, So what is battery A please.?

FollowupID: 746095

Follow Up By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 16:12

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 16:12

I've linked to it.

cheers, Peter

FollowupID: 746098

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 16:34

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 16:34

The Catalogue yes. I'll drill down to ultra high performance 4WD N70 etc. Thanks Pete

FollowupID: 746103

Reply By: MarkLH69 - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 12:41

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 12:41

Thanks for all the replies and advice.
Certainly going to get a wet deep cycle battery then.
My local battery outlet has come back with :

"We use the Interstate SRM-27, it is 100AH American made deep cycle. They are not sealed, so you have to top them up every now and then, cost is $176"

Seems like a good option and price .. anyone else used these ?

Regards
Mark.

AnswerID: 471435

Follow Up By: Member - Tezza Qld - Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 13:33

Thursday, Dec 01, 2011 at 13:33

Hi Mark

Just went through the deliberation myself.

After all the looking and measuring I ended up with an 75amp yellow top Optima

Bit more expensive but three year warranty and will charge faster than a flooded battery.

Cheers Teza

FollowupID: 746078

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Dec 02, 2011 at 00:20

Friday, Dec 02, 2011 at 00:20

Hi Mark
I had a well known American made flooded deep cycle - and it drank more than I did, before it boiled its guts out and gave up the ghost. Century have done a lot of testing on engine bay temperatures in Australian conditions (Bosch use their figures - see Battery Value's link) and I am sticking with Century at the moment. You may have different engine bay temperatures than me. Hope you have better luck.
Regards Dennis

FollowupID: 746137