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12 volt starting conversion on a 1997 24 valve manual 80 series LandCruiser
- Thread starter Garfieldus
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Lorin
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I finally just got around to doing this - had my 12 volt starter sat on the shelf for nearly two years! Nothing to add to the instructions, they are spot on. It took me a morning to do it and that was being slow - also includes 40 minutes trying to get that arse of a top nut back in place that holds the starter. Works perfectly, though the new starter defintely sounds quiet different.
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Well done Lorin.
The way I did mine, the PS batter does nothing apart from spin the starter.
A couple of weeks ago I forgot and left the ARB compressor powered up for over a week. When I came to the car the DS battery was totally flat. This meant the starter wouldn’t engage, fuel pump cut off wouldn’t even cut in, the whole cars electrics were dead etc....
It gave me chance to test out the fly lead I had made ready for such an occurance..... connected up + to + and she fired up first touch of the key.
The old 24v starting system meant if you lost one battery you were fubbared.
The way I did mine, the PS batter does nothing apart from spin the starter.
A couple of weeks ago I forgot and left the ARB compressor powered up for over a week. When I came to the car the DS battery was totally flat. This meant the starter wouldn’t engage, fuel pump cut off wouldn’t even cut in, the whole cars electrics were dead etc....
It gave me chance to test out the fly lead I had made ready for such an occurance..... connected up + to + and she fired up first touch of the key.
The old 24v starting system meant if you lost one battery you were fubbared.
Lorin
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This is exactly how I’ve done mine. I was going to install a switch to enable me to select which battery I start from or connect them in parallel for a jump but as I carry jump leads I figured I’d keep it simple and just use them if needed.
How are the batteries connected when running Lorin? Ignition or alternator voltage sensitive relay? I only asked as you mentioned jump leads to start in the event of a flat battery.
Regards
Dave
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I use a good quality VSR to trigger a larger relay. I used to have them connected via a National Luna split charger until it failed twice and went in the bin. I thought about having something to do a self jump start but then decided it was something that would be so rare and more complexity than I wanted so I too carry a pair of jump leads
Lorin
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At the minute they’re simply connected in parallel as I haven’t fitted the DC DC charger yet. Once that’s fitted they’ll only be connected through the charger. In order to use jump leads if required I plan to fit a cut-off switch on the charger feed. That way the charger is isolated when jumping.
I fitted the IIRC 7622 VSR, it is a marine version so reliability should not be an issue, been there about 6 years now?
D.C. D.C. chargers still use the alternator but can boost or reduce charge rates to a second battery independent of charge rate to the starter battery.
I think they are a good idea when used with a starter/leisure battery combo, but not with starter/starter batteries, or marine dual purpose types that I use.
Regards
Dave
D.C. D.C. chargers still use the alternator but can boost or reduce charge rates to a second battery independent of charge rate to the starter battery.
I think they are a good idea when used with a starter/leisure battery combo, but not with starter/starter batteries, or marine dual purpose types that I use.
Regards
Dave
My original set up had a wet battery in the PS and an AGM in the DS. Using the VSR and alternator, the AGM battery really started to suffer from undercharging at the typical 13.8v input. I could have perhaps fitted an DC2DC charger to compensate but the simplest fix was to just put a standard wet battery in there to replace the Optima. That sorted it and a good charge via a CTEK refreshed the Optima which is now in the trailer doing its thing.
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Lorin
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The decision to fit the intervolt DC DC charger was based primarily on its superior charging characteristics and it also being able to accept solar thereby killing two birds with one solution. I'll probably just use the existing standard battery for leisure until it needs upgrading. As far as I can tell there's no great advantage that justifies the increased price of AGM over standard lead acid. I do however intend to modify the battery box to get something bigger in there - ideally I'd like 150-200 amp hours capacity.
Don't confuse AGM with leisure Lorin, you can have lead acid leisure as well as AGM.
A leisure battery can be pulled way below the maximum 80% used as a gauge for a typical starter battery. Hence your D.C. - D.C. chargers suitability, so you can have a leisure battery for lighting and other camp duties, and be able to run it down quite low without causing permanent damage.
Using a starter battery regardless of lead acid or AGM or even gel for leisure use, will seriously shorten its life.
Regards
Dave
A leisure battery can be pulled way below the maximum 80% used as a gauge for a typical starter battery. Hence your D.C. - D.C. chargers suitability, so you can have a leisure battery for lighting and other camp duties, and be able to run it down quite low without causing permanent damage.
Using a starter battery regardless of lead acid or AGM or even gel for leisure use, will seriously shorten its life.
Regards
Dave
Towpack
Well-Known Member
I fear that's what I've just done to my new (4 months old) 12v battery in the dirt bike after discovering yesterday that I'd left the poxy heated grips turned on after last use 3 weeks ago
. 3.4 volts coming from the thing. An overnight charge from a recovery charger and its back up to full voltage and spins the engine like it was new but, going on past experience, I can't see it lasting the 7 years of the original. B*****d.You never know TP, being fairly new you may get away with it?
I have never been overly keen on riding motorbikes, I get the engineering and speed (my father was a motorbike fanatic), but that's about it however, I always thought you 'biker' guys and girls were real toughies, riding in the rain and freezing cold, bugs in your teeth and so on, and now I find the handlebars are heated, seems I was wrong!
Regards
Dave
I have never been overly keen on riding motorbikes, I get the engineering and speed (my father was a motorbike fanatic), but that's about it however, I always thought you 'biker' guys and girls were real toughies, riding in the rain and freezing cold, bugs in your teeth and so on, and now I find the handlebars are heated, seems I was wrong!
Regards
Dave
Towpack
Well-Known Member
You never know TP, being fairly new you may get away with it?
I have never been overly keen on riding motorbikes, I get the engineering and speed (my father was a motorbike fanatic), but that's about it however, I always thought you 'biker' guys and girls were real toughies, riding in the rain and freezing cold, bugs in your teeth and so on, and now I find the handlebars are heated, seems I was wrong!
Regards
Dave
No problem with the bugs in the teeth, extra protein and all that but when your digits are frozen and you can’t feel the levers, that’s NOT fun!
So good too hear you guys looking out for the warmer weather............at least 6 days of sun headed your way this year......don't blink now will you.
Regards
Dave
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