I equally changed the indicator and replaced them with LEDs as well.
It wasn't that easy to find the correct denomination of the indicator bulbs. The manual is wrong and some solutions were found in the early stages. However, there are some adequate alternatives on the market, without the need to change the socket of either the bulb or emplacement.
So, easy and flawless replacement.
It took a while to take a decision on how to proceed with a dual battery setup.
It was fairly easy 10 years ago, when I had the split charge installed in the D3.
The D4 was going to be a different story.
Anyway, after reading a lot, sending e-mails to sellers and companies (most never answered), I went for something that is far from cheap. Some on here will call me *whatever*, but I wanted peace of mind, easy installation, robust, preferably something that will last with any kind of auxiliary battery and something I should be assured having no issues with the start/stop system whatsoever.
I went for a(nother) UK-made product
The Sterling Power BB1230 is a 12V Battery-2-Battery charger that will charge @ 30 A.
This was equally important, as I was going to have the auxiliary battery in the boot and didn't feel like wiring fist-thick cables through the bulkhead and trying to have them go to the boot.
I eventually proceeded with the installation of the components and the wiring.
Click image to enlarge
Is an overview of one of the first completed steps.
You'll see the relays for switching two additional 12V outlets and the compressor.
You'll note the strip fuses I needed in conjunction with the BB1230.
You also see in the centre a 12 fuse distribution box.
The white sheets are the emplacements for other components that had to be added. Thought that would help me stick to a proper layout.
Click image to enlarge
Here I added a smaller 4 fuse distribution box (positive only) to distribute some ignition live 12V.
I need those for the BB1230 and wanted to have the rocker switches lit up.
Close to the battery, a battery checker is mounted.
I went for quick release battery clamps, to easily remove the battery, should it be needed.
For me, it made sense to have the switches controlling the additional 12V outlets in the boot area and the compressor in that same area as well.
One of the trays on the left side is removable.
And the best thing is, the dimensions presented an opportunity to dump three rocker switches. And how many did I need? Exactly, three
Well, at least, at that side.
It's obvious I did some planning ahead and actually had my wiring laid down when I was fiddling with the compressor and the existing 12V outlet connector in the boot. Since the left panel was dismantled, I could as well lay all the needed wiring for the switches and additional 12V outlets as well.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Tray removed, 12V outlet on top added, 'twisted' wiring in place, stuck with some tape for a couple of days till the rocker switches arrived
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The housings of the rocker switches in place.
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Found some new rocker switches with the perfect printing (at least, for me )
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Switches off, but ignition live. The LEDs in the rocker switches have the advantage they don't heat up and - again, my opinion and taste - they look great. I got "bored" with the green ones I had in the D3. The disadvantage, well, they're made in CN and I honestly don't know how long they will last ..
Click image to enlarge
12V outlet in the wee left side storage area flipped on.
Since those 'peripherals' are connected to the auxiliary battery, they will function even when there's no ignition live 12V.
That's done on purpose. I do have a protection for the auxiliary battery that senses when the voltage drops below 12V. All peripherals will be disconnected. But that's for some stages later.
Something else I'd added in the D3 and really wanted to have in the D4 as well, were storage nets.
I had been able to drill through the roofliner and bolt two nets against the roofliner.
However, there seems to be less space between the roofliner and the roof itself in the D4. Don't ask me why, I simply don't know.
Anyway, dropped a thread on the forum, asking if anybody had tried pushing rivet nuts through the liner and if it was 'safe' to do so. http://disco3.co.uk/forum/topic152429.html
LT pointed me to the 3rd row load lugga, which actually got stuck in my mind as well. But that was not going to be the solution with this.
So I went on and tried something similar on the D3.
Yeah, the next owner will never know why there's a rivet nut stuck behind the visor
After all, there's no need in storing heavy stuff, they're located above the heads anyway. But USB cables, kid's sunglasses and stuff alike will have there place in there just fine.
They were factory installed. Have those in both the D3 and D4. Supposedly because both are 5-seaters?D4
Disco4.com sticker
D3 11y, 425k km - sold, miss it though (MAR, DNK, NOR, SWE, SCO, WAL, MUD ...)
6th Apr 2017 8:48 am
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9402
Bloody Hell Nessie, the work you're doing is fantastic
Loved reading all your updates Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
One of the things I ever lost - literally - on the D3, was the plastic cover in the front .. It apparently got ripped off during a local LR-weekend in the sandpits south of Brussels
Anyway, I obviously started looking for a sump guard for the D4 ... MY16. I quickly realised the MY14 facelift made it impossible to mount the guards existing for the D4 MY14<.
I found one I liked and I had previous experiences with the brand, so I went for the Frontrunner Sump Guard.
Click image to enlarge
When it arrived - well I actually collected it from the EU-supplier, which happens to reside in Belgium
When I first lined the guard up with the mountings on the car, something struck me .. there was some plastic in the way
So there went the Dremel
I made sure not to cut too much, you never know you want to replace the wind deflectors down there .. And I was planning on cleaning and keeping every single part I replaced.
This was the result ...
and ...
Click image to enlarge
I did describe everything I did, with the pictures included, since I though this was lacking from the instruction sheet. I send all this to the supplier and he quickly responded Frontrunner was happy with the feedback and praised the professional way of describing the issue and its solution.
Didn't get any discount on my next order though
The Graphite doesn't come with the fairy lights, which I still think is unfair.
The stock DRL's aren't too bad, but I simply didn't want to swap the standard bulbs with LED ones, since I'd come across this thread http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic102948.html - thanks to Boringoldgit for that one.
This thread http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic136203.html is an extensive write-up of an installation in a D3, which serverd me well as a guideline - thanks Iceman08
The hardest part was finding an ignition live in the fuse box under the bonnet. Mine didn't come with the air-polution-plug/Japanese plug whatever ..
I did send out a cry for help http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic154113.html but nobody was eager, willing or able to help me out on this one.
I dug into the manual, but that didn't learn me much either.
Let's probe then ..
I eventually found the fuse F16 (Blind Spot Monitor) to be a ignition live. I eventually concluded that, should the fuse on that part blow, I'd still be able to drive.
I did go for a split-fuse ..
Click image to enlarge
I decided to drop the control box beneath the main battery.
Click image to enlarge
I had to trim some pieces from the FOG light housing
I came across this http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic149020.html thread and thought of the way the lower tailgate looked like on the D3 after some years of use.
Since we were planning on taking the dog with us on holiday, I sure needed some protection.
DiscoDunc was very helpful, arranged shipment to Belgium and I was very pleased with the quality and ease of 'installation' .. It also fits neatly. To be short: great
The above thread does show some pictures as well.
Battery Guard, Alarm buzzer, Electrical Distribution Scheme
It took me a while to decide on what device I'd go for to protect the auxiliary battery for becoming depleted with all the charging stuff all around.
I did find a programmable applicance, up to 60A, sounding an alarm when the set limit is reached through an optional buzzer.
I programmed it to cut-off at 12V and haven't had any issues so far. I realise that may prove too strict if our lazy cold air coolbox is still connected and the engine's not running. But I've once depleted an auxiliary battery doing so ..
I also added a switch, so I can cut off the power to all the peripherals alltogether. Went for a red coloured one.
So far I have connected as peripherals
- 2 additional 12V power outlets (switched)
- 3 double USB chargers (permanent)
- Compressor (switched)
- Front Driving Lights and DRL (switched)
- Roofrack Driving Lights and DRL (switched)
- Roofrack Side Flood Light (switched)
All the lights mentioned above are LED .. so current drawn is limited.
Same thing with the rocker switches, the lights are LED as well.
Being jealous of the mood lighting in SWMBO's mini, I was wondering why the D4 didn't have that.
Well, I obviously got it wrong .. mine didn't have that, but it was entirely possible, http://disco3.co.uk/forum/topic64328.html, thanks to ljason286 and soldierboy for pointing this one out.
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They were factory installed. Have those in both the D3 and D4. Supposedly because both are 5-seaters?
