mounting batteries underneath caravan floor? / where to put batteries
mixedup said
01:02 PM Aug 1, 2016
Is it ok to mount 2 x 120AH AGM batteries underneath the caravan floor, i.e. to get them centred and not too far away from the axle? With a little trap door to check. Could then run wiring out and up through into the cupboard area which is on the side of the van... [thinking of say putting the 82L water tank just behind axles, then batteries just in front]
Otherwise options seem to be: a) cupboard, but this is on the edge (e.g. left hand side) of van b) under storage area I have at front of van interior, however this is well forward of the axle
Notes: Will be a 1.5T rating van, and with a tare around ~700kg, with single axle/springs (rated to 1.5T)
kezngaz said
01:13 PM Aug 1, 2016
Hi there.
As close to the axles is best yes, but then you also need to accomodate the required wiring and charging method.
How are these batteries going to be charged?
Just 12v or 240v also?
Just off vehicle and or solar?
All of above?
Ideally keep all charge cables as short as possible using no less than 6b+s cabling, the longer the cables the more the voltage drop.
Kezngaz.
Weedpharma said
06:53 PM Aug 1, 2016
If you put them under the van, make sure you spread the load with suitable strength brackets. The batteries will weigh around 75kg.
Weedpharma
mixedup said
07:09 PM Aug 1, 2016
kezngaz wrote:
Hi there. As close to the axles is best yes, but then you also need to accomodate the required wiring and charging method. How are these batteries going to be charged? Just 12v or 240v also? Just off vehicle and or solar? All of above? Ideally keep all charge cables as short as possible using no less than 6b+s cabling, the longer the cables the more the voltage drop.
Kezngaz.
Will be via charger (maybe CTEK MXS15) as well as via Solar (~200w)/Car(Anderson) (using maybe Projecta IDC25). Would also have a 300W inverter. Haven't thought through wiring, but one option that would seem good (?) is to have these devices in the cupboard with easy access, and only the batteries themselves under the floor close to axles... how does this sound?
kezngaz said
09:38 PM Aug 1, 2016
Im unsure of models so best take manufacturers advise when installing.
Like i said, the shorter the cables the less voltage drop.
Hope this helps!!
Kezngaz.
Dougwe said
02:36 PM Aug 2, 2016
A mate of mine has two batteries under the floor about halfway from axle to front on the road side of van. Really hard to get to and check anything. Maybe you could fit a slide out tray to access the batteries easily. I know you mentioned cutting a access hole in the floor but the slide out tray is an option. Just a thought.
mixedup said
02:42 PM Aug 2, 2016
Dougwe wrote:
A mate of mine has two batteries under the floor about halfway from axle to front on the road side of van. Really hard to get to and check anything. Maybe you could fit a slide out tray to access the batteries easily. I know you mentioned cutting a access hole in the floor but the slide out tray is an option. Just a thought.
You mean slide out from underneath I guess?
I just checked with our local battery shop and it's ok to put the batteries by themselves, and house the battery-to-battery charger, and 240V charger in a more accessible cupboard. So I guess in this case you shouldn't have much cause to every have to get to the batteries themselves I would have thought(?)...
Jaahn said
05:41 PM Aug 3, 2016
mixedup wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
A mate of mine has two batteries under the floor about halfway from axle to front on the road side of van. Really hard to get to and check anything. Maybe you could fit a slide out tray to access the batteries easily. I know you mentioned cutting a access hole in the floor but the slide out tray is an option. Just a thought.
You mean slide out from underneath I guess?
I just checked with our local battery shop and it's ok to put the batteries by themselves, and house the battery-to-battery charger, and 240V charger in a more accessible cupboard. So I guess in this case you shouldn't have much cause to every have to get to the batteries themselves I would have thought(?)...
Hi mixedup
I have no argument with having them under the floor except the access. You might hope you never have to look at them again for 5 years but my experience says you will !! Make it easy to get to the terminals for checking them and taking on and off etc. You will need to protect them from stones and things and they will be covered in dirt after a short while if they are open to the passing water and dust.
I had a Winnebago motor home and it had the two truck, and the two house batteries on a slide out tray. Bl**dy heavy to move but perfect for working on for checking, adding wires etc.
Also do not run 6BS wires to the gear in the cupboard, run 2 BS and do it really good. A couple of car starter cables. Not expensive compared to the rest of the gear !
Is it ok to mount 2 x 120AH AGM batteries underneath the caravan floor, i.e. to get them centred and not too far away from the axle? With a little trap door to check. Could then run wiring out and up through into the cupboard area which is on the side of the van... [thinking of say putting the 82L water tank just behind axles, then batteries just in front]
Otherwise options seem to be:
a) cupboard, but this is on the edge (e.g. left hand side) of van
b) under storage area I have at front of van interior, however this is well forward of the axle
Notes: Will be a 1.5T rating van, and with a tare around ~700kg, with single axle/springs (rated to 1.5T)
As close to the axles is best yes, but then you also need to accomodate the required wiring and charging method.
How are these batteries going to be charged?
Just 12v or 240v also?
Just off vehicle and or solar?
All of above?
Ideally keep all charge cables as short as possible using no less than 6b+s cabling, the longer the cables the more the voltage drop.
Kezngaz.
Weedpharma
Will be via charger (maybe CTEK MXS15) as well as via Solar (~200w)/Car(Anderson) (using maybe Projecta IDC25). Would also have a 300W inverter. Haven't thought through wiring, but one option that would seem good (?) is to have these devices in the cupboard with easy access, and only the batteries themselves under the floor close to axles... how does this sound?
Like i said, the shorter the cables the less voltage drop.
Hope this helps!!
Kezngaz.
You mean slide out from underneath I guess?
I just checked with our local battery shop and it's ok to put the batteries by themselves, and house the battery-to-battery charger, and 240V charger in a more accessible cupboard. So I guess in this case you shouldn't have much cause to every have to get to the batteries themselves I would have thought(?)...
Hi mixedup
I have no argument with having them under the floor except the access. You might hope you never have to look at them again for 5 years but my experience says you will !! Make it easy to get to the terminals for checking them and taking on and off etc. You will need to protect them from stones and things and they will be covered in dirt after a short while if they are open to the passing water and dust.
I had a Winnebago motor home and it had the two truck, and the two house batteries on a slide out tray. Bl**dy heavy to move but perfect for working on for checking, adding wires etc.
Also do not run 6BS wires to the gear in the cupboard, run 2 BS and do it really good.
A couple of car starter cables. Not expensive compared to the rest of the gear !
Jaahn