They are d34 optimas, the red top as the main starter and the yellow as the primary auxiliary (i have 2 more 55Ah in the rear drawers). I run a redarc controller between the 2 optimas and another to the rear pair of batteries. All done in house.
Removed the factory battery tray and the tray that holds the power centre and fuse box.
Made up an 3mm alloy base plate for the new batteries. You have to trim a small amount from the strut tower metal.
And here you can see the clearance you have.
I ran a small length of alloy angle on the edge for strength and put a notch in it for the hold down. On the guard side there was a hole just above the tray which i used for the other hold down, and its a length of alloy C channel for the clamp top.
I mounted 2 volt gauges in the centre console and the manual button to link the batteries manually is in the rear of the lower recess in the centre console.
Its pretty easy to do it, the longest part is running either power to the rear area or to the dash, it could be done in a couple of hours if you have everything at hand. Optimas arent cheap, but they have the same start capacity as the factory diesel battery, a larger reserve capacity and a smaller size. They rate them at 55Ah for deep cycle, but they last longer on their own than a 55Ah AGM do (well they did when i tested them on my fridge!) You could fit a same physical size AGM which would be cheaper.
WH Second Battery
Sitting in a shopping centre watching the shoppers walk by is NOT living
Very nice. And thank you for the photos and very clear how to.
