Hi all!

Over the past couple of years I've added a number of additional electronics to my Freelander. This ranges from strobe emergency lights to transceivers to equipment charging stations.

I've had a couple of times recently where 'Low battery' has appeared on the stereo, and ideally I would like to fit a second/leisure battery in the vehicle and connect all the secondary electronics to this, and then charge this battery when the car is on the move.

What is the best route of action for me? I would like to keep the rear seats usable (meaning leg room still needed) and short of getting a roof rack, I can't see a way I can remove the spare wheel, so I think I'll have to start thinking creatively...

What are your thoughts?

I'm still getting used to working on cars (I totally didn't wire some lights in without a fuse for a few months, honest..) so please excuse any glaring oversights in my posts! For Sale: 2012 Freelander 2 GS (https://www.freel2.com/forum/post431941.html)
Current: 2013 (62 plate) Freelander 2 GS
Me: Web Developer by day, Search & Rescue comms manager for Severn Area Rescue Assocation by night

Search of members like Lightwater and Largered, whey seem to be the ones who have converted there cars for expedition use.

First 2 batteries
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic31435-30.html

Third battery
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32827.html

I have a fourth battery that "floats" around the car, boot or footwell.

DC-DC charger
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic34006.html

Complete air & electrical panel in boot
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic30454.ht...p;start=47

Anderson plug in boot
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic33954.html

175 amp Anderson plug in engine bay.
https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic34015.html

I looked all over the car to shoehorn a battery in somewhere. If you want a battery out of the way it is under the seat or in the wheel well. The problem with the wheel well is not so much the car jack as that will just fit on the left of the spare wheel. It is the heat off the exhaust, so you would need to insulate the bottom of the wheel well.

The only battery that will fit under the seat is a 26AH, but at least you can get 2 under each seat. I already had compressors under the driver's seat so the passenger was the only space left. It is a tight squeeze but 2 do fit.

It was a lot of work, mostly designing the space so the batteries are easily replaceable. The left one comes out first then the right as the right rear seat mounting is a bit in the way.

If you want to do this I can measure it up to save you time. The only modifications to the actual car are a drilled hole & M6 tapped in each of the front seat mountings & cut off a bit off the top of the footwell vent so the battery can sit low enough (you could just put the plastic vent out. Also if you felt necessary block up the end). Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

OverByDan wrote:

Hi all!

Over the past couple of years I've added a number of additional electronics to my Freelander. This ranges from strobe emergency lights to transceivers to equipment charging stations.

I've had a couple of times recently where 'Low battery' has appeared on the stereo, and ideally I would like to fit a second/leisure battery in the vehicle and connect all the secondary electronics to this, and then charge this battery when the car is on the move.

What is the best route of action for me? I would like to keep the rear seats usable (meaning leg room still needed) and short of getting a roof rack, I can't see a way I can remove the spare wheel, so I think I'll have to start thinking creatively...

What are your thoughts?

I'm still getting used to working on cars (I totally didn't wire some lights in without a fuse for a few months, honest..) so please excuse any glaring oversights in my posts!