Bell Auto Services (BAS) CTEK D250SE charger bracket

[DCPU]

So there's been some discussion around the plate from Black Sheep:

https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/black-sheep-ctek-d250-charger-bracket.12411263/page-3

It looks like we will have another option from BAS - https://bellautoservices.co.uk/

I have an early prototype of a laser cut bracket, and another ones been installed in BAS's own Grenadier:

It's early days at the moment, I believe Pete wants to bundle the bracket with some of the required cabling to make it more of a plug and play kit, so maybe watch this space and more details will be available presently.

 

[AnD3rew]

So there's been some discussion around the plate from Black Sheep:

https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/black-sheep-ctek-d250-charger-bracket.12411263/page-3

It looks like we will have another option from BAS - https://bellautoservices.co.uk/

I have an early prototype of a laser cut bracket, and another ones been installed in BAS's own Grenadier:

View attachment 7816514

It's early days at the moment, I believe Pete wants to bundle the bracket with some of the required cabling to make it more of a plug and play kit, so maybe watch this space and more details will be available presently.

Well if he can do it for a more reasonable price than Black Sheep it will be a winner. I would be happy to just buy the plate and sort the rest out, but again if he can make it plug and play at a reasonable price then good. I would suggest for overseas customers it is probably better to sell without the the D250 as they are readily available here and will just add to freight and tax costs etc.

 

[TheDocAUS]

I agree a bracket and bolts only option is preferable for people outside the UK.

This bracket looks straight forward and it is what I was thinking of doing myself, but I need a car first!

 

[bigleonski]

I agree a brackets and bolts only option is preferable for people outside the UK.

This bracket looks straight forward and it is what I was thinking of doing myself, but I need a car first!

And then making a few more to help out my mechanically challenged forum mates in Australia

 

[AnD3rew]

So there's been some discussion around the plate from Black Sheep:

https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/black-sheep-ctek-d250-charger-bracket.12411263/page-3

It looks like we will have another option from BAS - https://bellautoservices.co.uk/

I have an early prototype of a laser cut bracket, and another ones been installed in BAS's own Grenadier:

View attachment 7816514

It's early days at the moment, I believe Pete wants to bundle the bracket with some of the required cabling to make it more of a plug and play kit, so maybe watch this space and more details will be available presently

@BAS-Remaps Are you going to make the bare plate with screws available? I am keen to get one if so. I already have the D250SE, just need the plate

 

[DCPU]

So now I'm sorted with a D250SE at what I thought was an extremely good price, thanks to @ECrider on this thread:

Grenadiers Towing

Or could it be the replacement hinges are a con? Who knows; neither possibility makes sense, why would you design the car to be able to dismantle without permission? At the very least, turning those boltheads will stuff up the paintwork on both bolt and hinge. aah, another minor mystery to...

www.theineosforum.com

I got it test fitted to the plate today:

Just waiting on some stainless steel M4 x 25mm cap head bolts to replace the T20 x 20mm ones that are used on the Smartpass. Seems to make sense, to me, to have them all as standard allen heads rather than mix the two types.

Also a small earth cable (I've estimated 150mm to 200mm would be perfect) to attach the D250SE to the earth terminal of the auxiliary battery. It's an M8 ring connector for the D250SE negative stud and there's the choice of either an M8 or M6 ring connector to go direct to the earth terminal on the battery:

 

[DCPU]

No progress today, awaiting parts, but this is the plate plumbed in and firing on all cylinders in Pete's vehicle:

 

[DCPU]

So the missing bolts finally turned up and I had a crack at fitting this afternoon.

Before I did, I just thought I'd check the weight (for those touring the Outback, where every little bit counts ):

Smartpass taken out reveals the original bracket:

Held in by 4 short bolts:

 

[DCPU]

And markings on my Smartpass - nothing suggests it's anything other than a standard CTEK part:

I resisted the temptation to undo the screws on the underside of the Smartpass and see what was inside - @Jean Mercier - be my guest.

 

[DCPU]

And whilst completely unneccessary for the task in hand, I did take out the bracket to make photos easier (Note: the two rear bolts are a bit fiddly):

 

[DCPU]

And the reason a cutout is required in the rear corner is that gooseneck extension - rather odd as the does nothing and sits there unused in mine:

Of course, you could also just cut the bracket off...

 

[Logsplitter]

And the reason a cutout is required in the rear corner is that gooseneck extension - rather odd as the does nothing and sits there unused in mine:
View attachment 7823763
View attachment 7823764
View attachment 7823765

Of course, you could also just cut the bracket off...

I’m interested in your wiring photos and explanations as I intend to make a bracket up and purchase a D250SE and take with me to fit when I arrive in SA

 

[Jean Mercier]

And the reason a cutout is required in the rear corner is that gooseneck extension - rather odd as the does nothing and sits there unused in mine:
View attachment 7823763
View attachment 7823764
View attachment 7823765

Of course, you could also just cut the bracket off...

Great work, very well documented! As usual!

 

[DCPU]

Easier to mount the D250 to the plate whilst out of the vehicle. Although, the plate is tapped for an M4 thread, I added some washers and a nyloc nuts on the rear. Bolts are M4x25mm cap head:

And all mounted in, including new bolts for the Smartpass to replace the Torx already there. Original ones were 20mm, but I've just stayed with the 25mm used on the D250:

I debated whether the connector bars should go over or under the two positive feeds from the two batteries. I decided over as the contact patch on the battery lead ring connectors was larger. The downside is a *slight* bend on the bars:

 

[DCPU]

Final connections - earth lead to auxiliary battery is far too long - ideally it should be 165mm measured tip to tip with M8 ring connectors:

And temperature sensor taped to the the auxiliary battery near to the positive terminal. (I might investigate the thermal paste mentioned in another post):

I'm going to leave the smart alternator cable unattached for the time being, taking the lead from what Ineos have done with the Smartpass, at least until they come back with answers to the outstanding questions on this topic. I am minded to attach them if I get no sense.

 

[DCPU]

On making the final connection (earth on starter battery), it all lit up with greens and ambers; but then I remembered I needed photos of the BMS attached to the earth, took the terminal off and then when I reapplied it I got these lights, which I've interpreted as the Smartpass being "tricked" into thinking it's done a battery assist:

So I started the vehicle, switched off and started a 2nd time - the lights reset to normal mode - so on the bright side I may have simulated a battery assist and proved it works as described in the manual.

 

[DCPU]

As indicated by others when re-connecting the batteries, I got these warning lights in the tell tale:

Odd that diff locks that won't work without centre diff or low gear will illuminate...

And the lockers up top continued to flash rapidly for a good period after the vehicle was shut down:

With engine running - things seems to be indicating that they are working:

 

[DCPU]

So other things I noticed whilst undertaking this:

My handbrake adjuster seems to be on the kilter:

The handbrake grommets appear to be badly fitted:

 

[DCPU]

Details of what I take to be the BMS on the negative terminal of the starter battery:

 

[DCPU]

And on final note, I spoke to Pete Bell this afternoon and he's still committed to getting this bracket done - perhaps because of feedback he's thinking just the bracket as a standalone with the one modification that the cutout required will be incorporated. No timescale at the moment but he will set wheels in motion.