Battery location.

[loanrangie]

About to start wiring the camper for 12v and looking at my options for mounting locations for the battery/ies , i have a good size box on the drawbar but also have plenty of space down the lh side in the trailer.
Box would allow best access to battery but it means dividing of part of it off from the storage area.
Trailer mounting only gives access once tent is set up but will mean all components will be close together like switch/fuse panel .
I could make an access panel for the trailer if i go that way.

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[DiscoMick]

If you mount it inside the trailer you should use a sealed battery like an AGM, not a lead-acid battery which will vent fumes, unless you run a vent to the outside.
Mine is in the fridge box on the drawbar for shorter wiring and better access.

[Homestar]

I'm just doing this in the caravan now - a bit different as I will have unhindered access to it at all times, but I'm putting mine under the seat opposite the fridge - just in front of the axle. This way I'll not be changing the draw bar weight much as it is pretty good at the moment, and it will also put some weight on the opposite side of the van - it is a lot heavier on the drivers side due to the fridge, stove and kitchen. A 100AH Fullriver AGM will help balance that out a bit.

[loanrangie]

By inside the trailer i mean its actually not in a closed area as the trailer is open on the side i plan to locate it, i'm leaning towards the trailer as i can mount it close to the axle and there is room for a 2nd next to it if required.
Only drawback is access but i have a few ideas about that problem.

[DiscoMick]

By inside the trailer i mean its actually not in a closed area as the trailer is open on the side i plan to locate it, i'm leaning towards the trailer as i can mount it close to the axle and there is room for a 2nd next to it if required.
Only drawback is access but i have a few ideas about that problem.


Yes, sounds good.
BTW a mob called Australian Direct is advertising 120ah AGMs for a good price at the moment - $225 or something similar from memory. Just Google them.

[loanrangie]

Battery is sorted, got a used 145ah ex solar array with warranty for $120 from a bloke up the rd and he has more if i want a 2nd one.

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[loanrangie]

Actually made a start on this today, decided the best place for the battery that was accessible all the time was on the outside of the trailer.
This meant removing the 9kg gas bottle holder and 1 of the jerry can holders, 9kg was too big anyway so going with a 4.5kg holder.

Gas bottle holder removed.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/280.jpg


Jerry can holder removed intact so can re-use if i want.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/281.jpg

Battery and gas bottle in place, its 3.7kg bottle so slightly taller and narrower than a 4.5kg bottle.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/282.jpg

I will be making an enclosed box that will go from guard to side where gas bottle is sitting, this will give me room for 2 x 100ah batteries if i find the 145ah is not enough.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

is the 3.7 the new 4.5?
I'm just thinking about replacement in uppercumbuctawest,,
I think nearly every servo we stopped at had a gas exchange cage.:cool:

[loanrangie]

is the 3.7 the new 4.5?
I'm just thinking about replacement in uppercumbuctawest,,
I think nearly every servo we stopped at had a gas exchange cage.:cool:

I think 4 is the new 4.5 , the 3.7 has a 3/8 fitting.

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[drivesafe]

I know this thread was started a while back, but better to be safe.


If you mount it inside the trailer you should use a sealed battery like an AGM, not a lead-acid battery which will vent fumes, unless you run a vent to the outside.

Hi Mick and this is an error.

Lots of so called EXPERTS say you have to use "SEALED" batteries in enclosed or confounded mounting locations.

There is no such thing as a sealed lead acid battery.

The label "SEALED" simply means the battery will not spill electrolyte, but all lead acid batteries can be caused to gas, which is what most people think can't happen if the battery is a SEALED type.

Loanranger, that location is ideal and mounting the battery in a plastic box is the best and safest way to fit a battery in a camper trailer or caravan.

Hi bacicat, is your battery under the seat in an open area?

Lots of people make the mistake of sealing the area around the battery ( including many caravan manufacturers ) but the battery is only safe if the area under a seat or bed, is an open area.

[Homestar]

I know this thread was started a while back, but better to be safe.



Hi Mick and this is an error.

Lots of so called EXPERTS say you have to use "SEALED" batteries in enclosed or confounded mounting locations.

There is no such thing as a sealed lead acid battery.

The label "SEALED" simply means the battery will not spill electrolyte, but all lead acid batteries can be caused to gas, which is what most people think can't happen if the battery is a SEALED type.

Loanranger, that location is ideal and mounting the battery in a plastic box is the best and safest way to fit a battery in a camper trailer or caravan.

Hi bacicat, is your battery under the seat in an open area?

Lots of people make the mistake of sealing the area around the battery ( including many caravan manufacturers ) but the battery is only safe if the area under a seat or bed, is an open area.

Hi mate, I've now got 2 x 100 AH Fullriver deep cycle batteries mounted right over the axle, under the seat - the seat cavity is vented to the outside of the van. The seat box is hardly what you would call sealed either, the van itself is not well sealed and on a windy day is quite breezy inside with all the windows and doors closed - kind of like a Defender... :D

[Pedro_The_Swift]

2x100?
next it'll be a real Engal,,https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/352.jpg

[Homestar]

Yes, I think one of those will be on the shopping list eventually. The old gas fridge is fine for most of the year, but just can't keep the beer cold I the summer like the Engel can although I often drag the 38 litre unit around in the tow vehicle like I did at Melrose.

What sort of power consumption does that big banger have?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

3.5 max,,:cool:
mines the freezer model, comes with the bigger motor:twisted:. The inside shelving is the same?

[DoubleChevron]

Actually made a start on this today, decided the best place for the battery that was accessible all the time was on the outside of the trailer.
This meant removing the 9kg gas bottle holder and 1 of the jerry can holders, 9kg was too big anyway so going with a 4.5kg holder.

Gas bottle holder removed.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/280.jpg


Jerry can holder removed intact so can re-use if i want.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/281.jpg

Battery and gas bottle in place, its 3.7kg bottle so slightly taller and narrower than a 4.5kg bottle.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/282.jpg

I will be making an enclosed box that will go from guard to side where gas bottle is sitting, this will give me room for 2 x 100ah batteries if i find the 145ah is not enough.

You will need to put a lockable lid over it it :confused: You see I think your batteries will constantly go "walk-a-bout" on you if there visible like that :(

seeya,
shane L.

[loanrangie]

You didnt read it properly Shane, i'm building a cabinet that will cover both and be lockable ;).
That was a test fit to see how much space i had.

[Redback]

Actually made a start on this today, decided the best place for the battery that was accessible all the time was on the outside of the trailer.
This meant removing the 9kg gas bottle holder and 1 of the jerry can holders, 9kg was too big anyway so going with a 4.5kg holder.

Gas bottle holder removed.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/280.jpg


Jerry can holder removed intact so can re-use if i want.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/281.jpg

Battery and gas bottle in place, its 3.7kg bottle so slightly taller and narrower than a 4.5kg bottle.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/282.jpg

I will be making an enclosed box that will go from guard to side where gas bottle is sitting, this will give me room for 2 x 100ah batteries if i find the 145ah is not enough.

I have an inclosed box for ours also, doubles as storage as well, if you have the room, make the box as big as you can, that way you have room for things related to the battery(ie) charger, connections for solar panels and so on.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/283.jpg

All the other wiring goes into the camper for plugs and lights and so on, fridge, wiring for charging while travelling.

[loanrangie]

Thats the plan Baz , will have a shelf above battery for electrics.

[rangieman]

I did the same as Baz but the box i had made is slightly longer and taller ,wider than the battery ,
I got one of the sealed electrical seal junction box`s roughly 4"x6" and fitted a marine fuse panel . Everthing is connected with 50 amp anderson plugs which doubles as a isolator ;)
I think the box cost about $100.00 to get made

[Jimmy93]

I saw this on ebay a while back for anyone that is interested:

AGM Deep Cycle Battery FOR Caravan AND Motorhome AND Solar 12 Volt 200 AMP in VIC | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131587551582?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

200AH batteries for $189 that have been well maintained and full refund offered.

I would already have one if only it would fit under the seat in the defender!!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

67kg's,, :o
you'd have to buy two to keep the vehicle level!

[loanrangie]

I think i have pretty much decided that the other jerry can holder will go so that i can have a similar setup to Baz's camper with the battery box at the front and gas bottle at the rear.
That will allow more space for another battery and not skimp on space for the gas bottle, i will mount the jerry holders to the sides of the storage box on the draw bar.

[loanrangie]

Looking at gas bottle rings and it seems there are 4.5kg and 9kg, thing is there are no 4.5kg bottles ? There are 4kg with POL fitting or 4kg with 3/8 fitting which is actually a 3.7KG bottle :confused:.
I have a spare over center latch so i think i will just make my own.

[loanrangie]

Done, a quick trip to the green shed for 1m of steel and jobs done.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/201.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/202.jpg

Turned out better than i expected, bending the steel around an empty cylinder helped keep the right shape.

[Homestar]

So, this all going to be ready for the weekend Nick?

[loanrangie]

Not as i had planned but workable.

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[loanrangie]

Gas bottle holder done and mounted, will finish it off and paint it the next free weekend.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/73.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/74.jpg

[Pedro_The_Swift]

99% of the movement on those bottles will be upwards,,
just saying,,:angel:;)

[loanrangie]

99% of the movement on those bottles will be upwards,,
just saying,,:angel:;)

Its clamped in there, its not going anywhere.

[Corgie Carrier]

99% of the movement on those bottles will be upwards,,
just saying,,:angel:;)

That is why they put the clamp above the weld in the centre of the bottle, just like Nick has done. No chance of it jumping out.

[loanrangie]

So after lots of deliberation as to how to enclose the battery/electrical area i started looking at alloy boxes, couldnt find anything the size i wanted without having it custom made so decided on enclosing the area by folding up steel sheet.
I made a brief start on it but then an alloy checkerplate box came up on gumtree almost the right size, space i have is 650mmL x 300mmD x 400mmH and thoe one i found is 600mmL x 300mmD x 400mmH :).
It even has a gas ram for the lid and is lockable, the lid protrudes about 20mm but otherwise its a perfect fit.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/07/62.jpg


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/07/63.jpg

[loanrangie]

Got a chance to mount my battery box to the trailer and make a start on adding power sockets, box is bolted to chassis so it can handle the 40kgs of the 145ah battery .
I screwed 2 pieces of 12mm plywood in one end for mounting the isolator and fuse panel.
Will be ordering some control boxes from the 12v shop in SA.
The occy strap is just a temporary measure until i make a base for the box that will have battery clamps.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=49185.0;attach=125 672;image


http://www.myswag.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=49185.0;attach=125 674;image

[Blknight.aus]

So after lots of deliberation as to how to enclose the battery/electrical area i started looking at alloy boxes, couldnt find anything the size i wanted without having it custom made so decided on enclosing the area by folding up steel sheet.
I made a brief start on it but then an alloy checkerplate box came up on gumtree almost the right size, space i have is 650mmL x 300mmD x 400mmH and thoe one i found is 600mmL x 300mmD x 400mmH :).
It even has a gas ram for the lid and is lockable, the lid protrudes about 20mm but otherwise its a perfect fit.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/07/62.jpg


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/07/63.jpg

IF you're going to run a box like that dont forget to think about putting a set of "at a glance" leds into it so you can check things like charge from the vehicle, rough SOC of the batteries and if you put fuses in there to bridge the fuse panel with 12V leds so that if you get an electrical issue (which usually happens at night) you have an instant tell tale that you can see from outside the box.

AND put a couple of white LED lights inside the box wired up with a door switch on it so that when you open the box the light comes on.

IF the lids as good as it looks I'd also be very tempted to recess a small 10W (larger if you have the space) maintenance charging solar panel into it so when you get all you have to do is park it so it gets a few hours sun a day and most of your battery maintenance becomes set and forget.

Looks like a good layout though.

[loanrangie]

I'm not planning on a vehicle link just yet but i will be adding a meter and solar regulator , the interior light is a good idea.

[loanrangie]

Got the solar reg and fuse box fitted , also mounted the solar input Anderson plug on a lip of the box for ease of fitting.114679