Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

JohnBoy, I've had both situations.... Originally my second battery was fitted in the engine bay. Not the best set up IMO. The C-Tek was also fitted in the engine bay. The heat was a little excessive and over time I think that was what killed my unit..... having said that, C-Tek sorted me out even though the warranty was finished ( fantastic service from C-Tek !!!!!!!) I then moved the new unit and battery to the back of the Patrol. The unit is fitted about 300mm from the battery and I'm told that is the best position for the unit. Since then, not a second of issues. I don't even realize it's doing its thing.

Hi JohnBoy

Offroadbiker het n HCDP sisteem gekoop onlangs. Dit is baie goedkoper as die C-Tec. Hoor bietjie by hom wat sy bevindinge is met die sisteem. Ek het ook gekyk na dit. C-Tec D250S is seker 3 keer so duur soos die HCDP sisteem. As jy die geld het sal C-tec seker beter wees maar dit is darem n groot prys verskil vir in my opinie die selfde ding. Sterkte

Chris skinner het n paar uints van ctec af wat hy wou verkoop wonder of hy nog beskikbaar het??

Thank you Cedric - useful advice!
Dankie Marinus, ek het vertoue in C-Tek so ek gaan maar vasbyt en een koop.
Dankie Tinus, sal hom PM.
Dankie Herrie

Hi JohnBoy,
sjoe julle is vroer as ek op, waar het jy die 2de battery gesit 'agter'
Ek het die 'resonating box' in die enjin kajuit uit gehaal nou is daar n gat net bo die uitlaat, 'te warm' daar?
Waar anders kan ek dit sit?

Hallo James

ek het nog steeds ʼn 'floating box’.... want ek gebruik die agter sitplekke gereeld vir die kinders. Ek wag nog vir die perfekte oplossing. Ek het bo op die NL boks my inverter monteer en sal die charger maar aan die kant vasmaak.

I have been doing some research on duel battery systems and chargers. I would like to know if you need a DC-DC charger (Ctek, HCDP System) or does the solenoid system work just fine (National Luna, T-Max)? The DC-DC charging systems is a bit more expensive and I am wondering if it is so much better than just a solenoid between the batteries? Should I fork out my very hard earned money on a DC-DC system or will I be OK with a solenoid system? The solenoid system I can get for R4175 with a battery (R2000 National Luna, R2175 Deep cycle) or should I go for the HCDP system sold by Bush Power for R6050 and have a Lead Crystal battery that is sold with it. Is the DC-DC R2000 better?

Sorry for all the questions, but R2000 is something to think about for me. I can do allot with it.

Marino,
The main use/advantage of the DC/DC units is that it bust the charge voltage supplied to the second battery.
If you were fitting a standard car battery as second battery and you fit it in the engine bay it would in most cases be a waist to install a DC/DC charger but as soon as you move the battery away from the alternator you start to have cable losses which in turn cause your remote/second battery to charge slower and not to the same level/capacity as your main battery.
When going for a deep cycle it becomes worse as the deep cycle battery requires a higher voltage to fully and properly charge. Here the DC/DC (hopefully with output voltage that can be optimised for standard or deep cycle batteries) would really be worth each cent.

With respect to the lead crystal battery I am not sure what the prescribed charge voltage/current requirements is and it might be worth investigating it to see that the DC/DC charger can be configure to the ideal settings to accommodate this type of battery and get the full potential from it.
Hope this is of some help.
Riaan (Bruin Beer)

Hi Riaan

Dankie vir die info.

Firstly - SPEAK TO TINUS!!! - about a battery

I have both in my vehicle, the National Luna system as well as the HCDP 30A DC-DC, installed as a "floating" system (so I can use it in the combi when required as well as Eskom backup )

With the Kgalagadi trip in Feb I had 3 fridges in the Trol so both systems where working full blast, the main thing about the HCDP is that it charges the battery too its full capacity much quicker than the National Luna, and from the little I know and can test it also seems as if the HCDP will charge the battery back up to close to 100% as where the National Luna does not seem to get past 90% (or less) so one needs to top up with 220V if given the opportunity.

In my opinion DC-DC better option. Crystal battery not sure if worth that money I was able to buy 2 AGM's for the price of one lead crystal through Tinus.