Dual Leisure Batteries

[Sniggib]

Hi all,

Looking at fitting two leisure batteries for capacity.

Ideally I would like to fit these both under the drivers seat, has anyone done this?

I'm can't fit them under the passenger seat due to the type of swivel I will be fitting.

My other options are to either;

- Fit one battery under the drivers seat and then one battery behind the drivers seat, with cables passing through the drivers seat or;
- Fit both batteries next to each other behind the drivers seat in a cupboard.

Any thoughts on which would be best and why?

Cheers,

 

[Sniggib]

Oh, and I have thought about LifePo4 BUT ££££££ and mainly I am concerned about the 30 degrees C max temp, presumably in a van it easily gets above this?

 

[Qnapper]

I also have been looking at LifePo4 however here in Spain it can get up to 38C during the year. Worried about leaving vehicle in full sun for long periods. I have for the past few years used AGM without problems. The nice idea about LifePo4 is size and weight...... Think for now I will wait until I get our van and see what happens with AGM's fitted and how long they last.......

 

[Sniggib]

Yes, that's my concern, van temp in UK, even up norf has hit 36+ at times, though I have not measured temp under the drivers seat. Thinking that in full sun if the seatbelt gets too hot to touch at times then the van will definitely be over 30!

The appeal of size and weight (namely only needing one battery) is a big one though.

 

[DXX]

Hi all,

Looking at fitting two leisure batteries for capacity.

Ideally I would like to fit these both under the drivers seat, has anyone done this?

I'm can't fit them under the passenger seat due to the type of swivel I will be fitting.

My other options are to either;

- Fit one battery under the drivers seat and then one battery behind the drivers seat, with cables passing through the drivers seat or;
- Fit both batteries next to each other behind the drivers seat in a cupboard.

Any thoughts on which would be best and why?

Cheers,

@Sniggib
See underslung battery arrangement by New Wave Custom Conversions. I‘ve had this for almost 3 years now and is problem free, even after driving through some fairly deep flood water.
The advantages are that it saves on valuable internal storage space, the weight is low down and any potential battery hazard is external.

Under Body Leisure Battery Storage - New Wave Custom Conversions

Another vehicle specific product designed and developed by team NWCC. The T5-T6 under chassis battery housing designed to house two Leisure battery’s under the drivers side footwell fitting neatly under the vehicles chassis plastics. Manufactured using 2.5mm laser cut Galvanised steel, picking...

www.newwavecustomconversions.co.uk

 

[Qnapper]

DXX, that will be the first "mod" I do when we get ours. Thank you.

 

[Texxaco]

@Sniggib
See underslung battery arrangement by New Wave Custom Conversions. I‘ve had this for almost 3 years now and is problem free, even after driving through some fairly deep flood water.
The advantages are that it saves on valuable internal storage space, the weight is low down and any potential battery hazard is external.

Under Body Leisure Battery Storage - New Wave Custom Conversions

Another vehicle specific product designed and developed by team NWCC. The T5-T6 under chassis battery housing designed to house two Leisure battery’s under the drivers side footwell fitting neatly under the vehicles chassis plastics. Manufactured using 2.5mm laser cut Galvanised steel, picking...

www.newwavecustomconversions.co.uk

That underslung battery set up is a super idea. Although if you have a conversion would anything be in that space as part of it?

 

[DXX]

That underslung battery set up is a super idea. Although if you have a conversion would anything be in that space as part of it?

If you mean under the seat, yes I have an additional fuse panel there.
I’m just not keen on having a battery inside the van, as far as I’m concerned there is an alternative so why not use it. No doubt Fire & Rescue have had a few surprises getting people out of smashed vans with 120Ah of battery wedged underneath them.

 

[N1ck]

That underslung battery set up is a super idea. Although if you have a conversion would anything be in that space as part of it?

If you have a diesel heater that’s usually where it will be

 

[DXX]

If you have a diesel heater that’s usually where it will be

Do you mean it would be where the underslung batteries are? I do have a Diesel Heater, a Wallas XC Duo, the balanced flue is further back on the same side.

 

[Sniggib]

Thanks @DXX did you have to make any special connections to the battery i.e. waterproofing etc. to make this function ok?

I also think lots of batteries under the seat wouldn't be ideal in an accident scenario.

I was planning on fitting my diesel heater under the drivers seat area (underslung) do you have photos of how your diesel heater and batteries work together.

Cheers,

 

[andys]

Oh, and I have thought about LifePo4 BUT ££££££ and mainly I am concerned about the 30 degrees C max temp, presumably in a van it easily gets above this?

Who told you they can't go above 30ºC? They can be charged at up to 45ºC and discharged up to 50ºC .

 

[Sniggib]

Read it here;

Lithium LifePo4 12v Batteries - Time For An Upgrade? | VW T6 Transporter Forum (t6forum.com)

Relating to keeping the batteries within a temp range rather than charging / discharging temps. Though presumably these also apply when it comes to battery temps.

One of the main points, along with not charging at 0 degrees or less

 

[andys]

Read it here;

Lithium LifePo4 12v Batteries - Time For An Upgrade? | VW T6 Transporter Forum (t6forum.com)

Relating to keeping the batteries within a temp range rather than charging / discharging temps. Though presumably these also apply when it comes to battery temps.

One of the main points, along with not charging at 0 degrees or less

You've linked to the thread listing the figures I've put above.

Read the specs here https://www.t6forum.com/threads/valence-u27-12xp-lifepo4-lithium-battery-how-we-done-it.22182/ on the battery many of us use. There's no way a battery would be put into service that was limited to 30ºC max!

Discharging = using

 

[andys]

"
If you have a Lithium (LiFePO4) battery, there are some things to consider when charging under extreme temperature
conditions.
Lithium battery manufacturers often state an operational temperature range of -30°C to +80°C / -22°F to +176°F
and an optimal temperature range of -10°C to +50°C / 14°F to 122°F (this varies depending on brand and
model, consult your manufacturer). This is often misconstrued as a safe temperature range for both charging and
discharging, this is not the case. The operational temperature range is referring to discharging the battery only.
Charging a Lithium battery in ambient temperatures below 0°C / 32°F must be avoided. The reason for this is it may
potentially damage the battery and / or reduce its lifespan.

The optimum ambient temperature for charging a Lithium battery is +5°C to +45°C / 41°F to 113°F."

 

[Sniggib]

@andys thanks for that. I was kind of wondering how a battery that cant go over 30 degrees C was suitable for a camper at all really, or many other applications to be honest.

Cheers,

 

[andys]

@andys thanks for that. I was kind of wondering how a battery that cant go over 30 degrees C was suitable for a camper at all really, or many other applications to be honest.

Cheers,

They wouldn't be suitable for any vehicle application, even in this country the ambient temperature can get over 30ºC. Not that we could go anywhere to enjoy it this year

 

[DXX]

Thanks @DXX did you have to make any special connections to the battery i.e. waterproofing etc. to make this function ok?

I also think lots of batteries under the seat wouldn't be ideal in an accident scenario.

I was planning on fitting my diesel heater under the drivers seat area (underslung) do you have photos of how your diesel heater and batteries work together.

Cheers,

The two batteries are marine grade.
The Wallas XC Duo is a combined dual hob / fan heater so is mounted on the worktop for cooking / heating. It isn’t anywhere near the batteries.

 

[AussieMick]

I'm glad I found this thread. I am going down the Lifepo4 path for my leisure battery and wondered about max charging temperature of below 30c, as my van is around that temperature regularly and was going to ask on the forum if that was the case. Glad to find you can charge at much higher temperatures.
When ambient temperature is high my fridge runs more often drawing more power from my leisure battery and that's when I need to charge as much as I can from solar.