Henry's Blog

[Rok_Dr]

You c

You can always fit a cheap BLE battery monitor to both batteries and take a closer look at what is going on. I have some screen captures from the BLE in my review of the rooftop solar panel here.

On my car, the BLE battery monitors and the Grenadiers SOC are broadly similar - both are estimating SOC anyway. I use the amps being charged to give me a good idea of where the SOC really is, 1 amp strongly suggests the batteries are close to 100% SOC (assuming the battery is working properly).

Thanks Michael

Yes getting some monitoring fitted is on my radar.... along with some sump guards, x-spec window mounts etc and getting my tax return in . I may go upmarket with Victron or Redarc shunts, only because I have their products and apps installed. Battery was tested as OK so my thinking is its either lazy alternator or more likely the BMW module has been programmed for city use.

My battery SOC generally hovers around the 80% mark. never above 82 unless I use an external charger and even then , only high 80s for a while.
I was reassured by this recent forum post:
"Maintaining the battery at approximately 80% SOC is by design. It's not a fault.
I discussed this with a senior BMW tech recently and he confirmed this is how BMW manage their batteries to reduce fuel consumption and extend battery life. In newer BMWs the target SOC is configurable to allow for the owner's usage pattern. For a city driver the alternator can be set to charge more aggressively during short trips and maintain the battery charge and ensure vehicle operation at the expense of higher fuel consumption.
This intelligent battery management is why we're seeing fluctuations in the charge rates during a drive cycle. Setting aside that there has been some reports of faulty batteries, my suggestion to the forum is to understand this is normal operation so stop fixating on less than 100% battery SOC."

Thanks Tazzieman

In my digging around the internet and forum that's my understanding as well, which is why I'm not too stressed and around 80% SOC may also extend battery life. But I would like to know why some cars like the loan vehicle I had, charge to 99% with higher amps coming from the alternator than a lot of our cars. Also it would be nice for the battery to fully charge so I have an extra 20-25 amp/hrs capacity when off grid. Still with a jump starter and a solar panel the worst that can happen is being parked up for an hour or so to recharge.

Finally talking with Paul Hennig last week he alluded to a forthcoming TSB that could also address this variability.

Cheers
Steve

 

[OzyGrenie]

Roof Bars

For many years I’ve used Rhino HD square bars and as a result have a reasonable investment in fittings for them. While the INEOS Rhino roof bars are very well made and good value, the bar profile is different and they are only presently available in pairs.

Following on from the posts of @jb_hamon (eg https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/roof-racks-head-up-displays-and-dash-cams-etc-any-after-market-accessory.12410499/post-1333199557), I’ve fitted 3 1800mm HD Square Rhino bars. You could get away with 1650mm bars, but it would be tight. I already had 2 sets of RL210 legs fitted with S2 retaining straps (to suit a 70 series land cruiser) and purchased a third set of RL210DS8 legs (for a Landrover Defender) which had S8 retaining straps that are a slightly different profile and a couple of mm longer reach under the gutter. I couldn’t get the S8 straps as a spare part for my old feet, but the roof rack sales guy suggested buying a set of S5 straps used on a GU Patrol which have a significantly greater reach under the gutter. Unfortunately they only come in sets of 4 so had to buy 2 sets. Pic following illustrates the difference in reach.

View attachment 7843114

View attachment 7843115
S5 strap fitted

I’ve mounted the bars to the gutters, between and to the front and rear of the grab handles. I’m finding little or no gutter flex when I hang my 90kg off the bars in these positions. Since I’m not going to be carrying heavy loads on the roof, I’m not going to fit any further bracing or supports to the legs at this point in time.


View attachment 7843116View attachment 7843117

Cheers
Steve

You do realise that gutters are the weakest mounting point of the entire roof being pressed metal. Therefore they do not provide the 150kg dynamic roof capacity, most assume.

Once again, the majority of most roof rack systems do not consider or cater for the Grenadiers 'flat roof' with 4x longitudinal rubber mounts and, more importantly, ignore the roof framing structure providing the load capacity.

Leitner Designs and Black Sheep have started to respond in their product line.

 

[MrMike]

You do realise that gutters are the weakest mounting point of the entire roof being pressed metal. Therefore they do not provide the 150kg dynamic roof capacity, most assume.

Once again, the majority of most roof rack systems do not consider or cater for the Grenadiers 'flat roof' with 4x longitudinal rubber mounts and, more importantly, ignore the roof framing structure providing the load capacity.

Leitner Designs and Black Sheep have started to respond in their product line.

If the gutters are not strong enough as you say, why then do IA supply a rack to fit with a 5 year warranty?
I'm sure the engineers who designed it would differ.
The gutters are folded pressed and bonded. The roof may be rated but to load the roof strip's which aren't securely fixed to the roof is a weak point in both designs for Australian conditions

 

[Rok_Dr]

You do realise that gutters are the weakest mounting point of the entire roof being pressed metal. Therefore they do not provide the 150kg dynamic roof capacity, most assume.

Once again, the majority of most roof rack systems do not consider or cater for the Grenadiers 'flat roof' with 4x longitudinal rubber mounts and, more importantly, ignore the roof framing structure providing the load capacity.

Leitner Designs and Black Sheep have started to respond in their product line.

X2 @MrMike's comments.

As noted the last paragraph on my original post as I don't carry heavy loads, these bars and the mountings are fit for my purposes plus in over 40 years I have never had any issues with gutter mounted roof bars on other vehicles. If I was permanently mounting a roof top tent or carrying heavy loads though I would go for a different option.

 

[Rok_Dr]

Helena Aurora Ranges Take 2

After being washed out in April I finally made it back to the ranges the other week leading a group from the local Land Rover club. No rain at all this time!. We stayed at a very basic camp ground (really just a cleared area) at the base of the range and also did day trips from there visiting the Mt Manning BIF Ranges to the north west and old Mt Dimer gold workings to the east.

The ranges are folded banded iron formations (BIF) that have been turned on their side and stand around 200m above the surrounding land surface. Besides being geologically interesting they have unique flora and fauna and are of great cultural significance to the traditional owners of the area, the Kalamaia.

The weather was pleasant and there were still some spring wild flowers, especially in areas which had been recently burnt. Except for the main entry track from Koolyanobbing the going was slow and average speeds were 25-50kph. Tracks were not difficult but in places were variably rutted, twisty and tight/vegetated. One group member staked a tyre on the edge of the tread which needed 4 plugs to seal.

Henry handled the trip easily. Locked the centre diff and dropped the tyre pressures slightly on the gravel and in tight sections used off road mode, mainly to stop the parking sensors chirping from bushes brushing the car. I carried 2 jerry cans of diesel on the camper trailer, which gave me just on 1000km range before needing to refuel. This included 500km towing. Towing economy was in the mid 15l/100km area, with the display showing 11-12l/100km pottering slowly along the tracks.

Other statistical trivia. Including a short evening shower and washing up, I found my water usage about 25L/day. Using 1, 225w solar panel I was able to power the camper for 3 days before the batteries (200 amp Hr Lithium) dropped to 35%. Using 2 panels charged the batteries to 100% by lunch time. The 95l Dometic Fridge freezer in the camper trailer is the main energy consumer. It draws around 5 amps when running.

Cheers
Steve

Camp area

View from the Helena Aurora Ranges

Tightly Folded BIF

Wild Flowers

Bungalbin is the aboriginal name for the Helena Aurora ranges

Mt Manning Range

Dimers Stone Hut

 

[Don Fraser]

Helena Aurora Ranges Take 2

After being washed out in April I finally made it back to the ranges the other week leading a group from the local Land Rover club. No rain at all this time!. We stayed at a very basic camp ground (really just a cleared area) at the base of the range and also did day trips from there visiting the Mt Manning BIF Ranges to the north west and old Mt Dimer gold workings to the east.

The ranges are folded banded iron formations (BIF) that have been turned on their side and stand around 200m above the surrounding land surface. Besides being geologically interesting they have unique flora and fauna and are of great cultural significance to the traditional owners of the area, the Kalamaia.

The weather was pleasant and there were still some spring wild flowers, especially in areas which had been recently burnt. Except for the main entry track from Koolyanobbing the going was slow and average speeds were 25-50kph. Tracks were not difficult but in places were variably rutted, twisty and tight/vegetated. One group member staked a tyre on the edge of the tread which needed 4 plugs to seal.

Henry handled the trip easily. Locked the centre diff and dropped the tyre pressures slightly on the gravel and in tight sections used off road mode, mainly to stop the parking sensors chirping from bushes brushing the car. I carried 2 jerry cans of diesel on the camper trailer, which gave me just on 1000km range before needing to refuel. This included 500km towing. Towing economy was in the mid 15l/100km area, with the display showing 11-12l/100km pottering slowly along the tracks.

Other statistical trivia. Including a short evening shower and washing up, I found my water usage about 25L/day. Using 1, 225w solar panel I was able to power the camper for 3 days before the batteries (200 amp Hr Lithium) dropped to 35%. Using 2 panels charged the batteries to 100% by lunch time. The 95l Dometic Fridge freezer in the camper trailer is the main energy consumer. It draws around 5 amps when running.

Cheers
Steve

View attachment 7876374
View attachment 7876379
Camp area

View attachment 7876376
View from the Helena Aurora Ranges
View attachment 7876380

View attachment 7876381

View attachment 7876382
View attachment 7876378
Tightly Folded BIF

View attachment 7876383

Wild Flowers
View attachment 7876384

View attachment 7876385
Bungalbin is the aboriginal name for the Helena Aurora ranges

View attachment 7876388
Mt Manning Range

View attachment 7876389

View attachment 7876390
Dimers Stone Hut

View attachment 7876391

Great pics I would love to join in a future trip Don

 

[MrMike]

Helena Aurora Ranges Take 2

After being washed out in April I finally made it back to the ranges the other week leading a group from the local Land Rover club. No rain at all this time!. We stayed at a very basic camp ground (really just a cleared area) at the base of the range and also did day trips from there visiting the Mt Manning BIF Ranges to the north west and old Mt Dimer gold workings to the east.

The ranges are folded banded iron formations (BIF) that have been turned on their side and stand around 200m above the surrounding land surface. Besides being geologically interesting they have unique flora and fauna and are of great cultural significance to the traditional owners of the area, the Kalamaia.

The weather was pleasant and there were still some spring wild flowers, especially in areas which had been recently burnt. Except for the main entry track from Koolyanobbing the going was slow and average speeds were 25-50kph. Tracks were not difficult but in places were variably rutted, twisty and tight/vegetated. One group member staked a tyre on the edge of the tread which needed 4 plugs to seal.

Henry handled the trip easily. Locked the centre diff and dropped the tyre pressures slightly on the gravel and in tight sections used off road mode, mainly to stop the parking sensors chirping from bushes brushing the car. I carried 2 jerry cans of diesel on the camper trailer, which gave me just on 1000km range before needing to refuel. This included 500km towing. Towing economy was in the mid 15l/100km area, with the display showing 11-12l/100km pottering slowly along the tracks.

Other statistical trivia. Including a short evening shower and washing up, I found my water usage about 25L/day. Using 1, 225w solar panel I was able to power the camper for 3 days before the batteries (200 amp Hr Lithium) dropped to 35%. Using 2 panels charged the batteries to 100% by lunch time. The 95l Dometic Fridge freezer in the camper trailer is the main energy consumer. It draws around 5 amps when running.

Cheers
Steve

View attachment 7876374
View attachment 7876379
Camp area

View attachment 7876376
View from the Helena Aurora Ranges
View attachment 7876380

View attachment 7876381

View attachment 7876382
View attachment 7876378
Tightly Folded BIF

View attachment 7876383

Wild Flowers
View attachment 7876384

View attachment 7876385
Bungalbin is the aboriginal name for the Helena Aurora ranges

View attachment 7876388
Mt Manning Range

View attachment 7876389

View attachment 7876390
Dimers Stone Hut

View attachment 7876391

How were the flies? Very friendly no doubt, great part of WA out there