[davidpaul]

Has any one fitted a 2nd battery in the front storage compartment under the hood ? I want to fit a split charge system to run the winch, extra driving lights and a power point for a light when we go camping

[chuddly]

I didnt put my second battery up there because it would put the weight higher up and that is the opposite of what you want to do.  I did however put a second battery under the drivers seat and I am running a sure power 1315 isolator/separator ( link to battery isolator/separator  - http://www.allbatterysalesandservice.com/browse.cfm/4,2706.html ).  This set up has served me well for several years on other machines.  It is a "always get you home" set up I also run a second fuse block for all my accessories.  That way they are each on their own fuse and on the secondary battery system.

[davidpaul]

Ok thanks, do you know what AH the standard battery is ?

[davidpaul]

Would a second battery need to be the same size as the main one or could I get away with a smaller one say 15ah ? As I want to use it for running lights etc I'm thinking of using a deep cycle battery, what do you think ?

[NMKawierider]

Long as they are the same voltage...ie 12V, they can be any size or rating. However, JMO, I would tent to hold it at or just under the same Ah and CCA rating to avoid stator and/or rectifier issues and the larger it is, the longer it will take to charge back up if/when down.

[davidpaul]

ok thank you

[Wheels]

If you unit is not equipped with eps I strongly suggest upgrading the magneto/rectifier.
I tried this on a 2014 z8 with no eps and found problems with the charging system keeping up, just slowly killed off both batteries
New Mag/Cap and rectifier sorted the dual battery problem out.
Using a QuadBoss smart splitter

[davidpaul]

If you unit is not equipped with eps I strongly suggest upgrading the magneto/rectifier.
I tried this on a 2014 z8 with no eps and found problems with the charging system keeping up, just slowly killed off both batteries
New Mag/Cap and rectifier sorted the dual battery problem out.
Using a QuadBoss smart splitter

Mine is a non power steering model, Do you know which parts I would need ?

[NMKawierider]

If you unit is not equipped with eps I strongly suggest upgrading the magneto/rectifier.
I tried this on a 2014 z8 with no eps and found problems with the charging system keeping up, just slowly killed off both batteries
New Mag/Cap and rectifier sorted the dual battery problem out.
Using a QuadBoss smart splitter

Mine is a non power steering model, Do you know which parts I would need ?

Technically speaking, no matter how many batteries you have, if you are using more power then the stator can put out, your batteries will drain. It just takes longer with two batteries....and it takes longer to charge back up. Putting the 500watt stator and rectifier on the non-PS unit will give you another about 20-25 amps additional you can use for accessories over the 10 or so you had to start with. If you really need this extra power, I believe all you need is the stator and the rectifier/regulator. You may need the flywheel but I am unsure. Wheels will be able to answer that question better them I.

[Wheels]

0800-032000-4000 Mag
0800-031000-2000 Mag Cap/Rotor
0800-011002 Gasket
0800-177000 Rectifier

[davidpaul]

0800-032000-4000 Mag
0800-031000-2000 Mag Cap/Rotor
0800-011002 Gasket
0800-177000 Rectifier

Ok thanks, I think the cost will end this project, maybe I'll buy a torch 

[Wheels]

Dual batteries, smart splitter and a trickle charger?
This could also work.

[davidpaul]

Does this fit the bill ? I don't want to run loads of extra stuff, I want to run led lights like the interior light, rear work led and the accessory plug in the cab, so when we are out at night or camping we can use the lights without the fear of draining the main battery


It would seem to favour the main battery and if there's anything left it will charge the aux battery

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-12S-Smart-Combination-Caravan-Split-Charge-Towing-Relay-RCT465-/321250991871?hash=item4acc0d1eff:g:h90AAOxyRNJShlT1

[NMKawierider]

I was surprised as to how little power LEDs use. I don't think you will be even close to your stator limit or the fused accessory circuit with what you described above. Of course if the engine isn't running.. no matter what you are running and how many batteries, its just a matter of time.

[REDRIDER]

If you want to run things off a battery while the engine is not running I would suggest running a secondary deep cycle battery and use a switch, like they do on boats, with a off, 1, 2, or both setting. you can use a deep cycle on the aux battery to run when things are off, switch to the main battery to start then switch to both when running to charge, or just leave it on the main battery when running and charge the deep cycle separately when you get home.