Batteries location in enclosed places
Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 17:19
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108216
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seachange
Hi. to all, I have read with interest and agree with the idea that batteries should not be enclosed under a
seat or bed in a
recreation vehicle, in the previous caravan we owned the batteries were in the front boot which I was able to cross vent to the outside, we now have an "upmarket" caravan which has the batteries (Discover 120 ah A.G.M.), 240v charger and 600w inverter all together in the compartment under the dining
seat with no venting other than a storage draw that pulls out of the same compartment.
My question is does anyone have any ideas about mounting the batteries on the chassis under the van approximately below where they are now in a bracket that could be lowered for maintenance, and where I could but such a bracket/battery holder regards seachange
Reply By: seachange - Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 17:25
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 17:25
Sorry should read" where could I buy such a bracket/battery holder"
AnswerID:
534193
Reply By: Kazza055 - Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 21:14
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 21:14
My van is having this done right now by PDA in Maddington WA.
Originally had only one battery in the boot but added solar and a second battery and ended up with 350kg ball weight plus not enough room in the boot for the annex.
Moving the batteries back towards the axles will reduce the ball weight plus i can reclaim the boot for storage.
Not certain exactly how they are doing it but it will be onto the main chassis rails which are 150x50RHS.
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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 21:48
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 21:48
Why bother?
You’ve got more chance of getting struck by lightning than having an AGM battery explode in an unvented area of a caravan.
Regulatory authorities don’t require it.
The biggest Australian manufacturer and many others don’t vent their AGM battery enclosures.
AnswerID:
534217
Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 15:50
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 15:50
Careful Dennis :-D you're inviting the safety Nazi's to have a rant .... ;-)
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817837
Reply By: Batt's - Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 21:56
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 at 21:56
I had 2 batteries in an old jayco before we sold it a few yrs ago they were under the storage dining
seat. I bolted in 2 plastic boxes with lids that clipped on and they had rubber seals built into them I put a hose between them and plumbed it to the out side I seal the hoses with silicon easy as.
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Reply By: seachange - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 07:59
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 07:59
Thanks to all for your replies
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Shaker - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 08:19
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 08:19
Land Rover Defenders have the battery under the front passenger
seat!
AnswerID:
534228
Follow Up By: Rod - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 13:25
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 13:25
...And there is a factory vent to the underside of the vehicle
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817832
Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 14:40
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 14:40
Ok, I'll try again! VW Beetles had the battery under the back
seat.
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817833
Follow Up By: braggy - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 15:48
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 15:48
...And they caught on fire
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817836
Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 17:39
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 17:39
Obviously not too often, my brother in law had a Volkswagen repair workshop & never saw one burnt because the battery was under the
seat, maybe having the fuel tank in the front had something to do with it!
FollowupID:
817841
Follow Up By: braggy - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 19:44
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 19:44
Springs under
the bench seat use to rub through the plastic battery cover and short out, and that wadding in the
seat would light up real easy
FollowupID:
817849
Reply By: Freshstart - Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 09:07
Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 at 09:07
In our old Chesney the battery was under the front
seat. I got a 90 degree PVC water pipe elbow, cut a hole in the floor just behind a crossmember and glued the pipe in the hole, sticking down under the van, facing backwards and protected by the metal crossmember. The air flow under the car drew air out of the battery compartment.
Was it needed by regulations etc. Nope. Did I feel better. Yes. Cost about $3.
AnswerID:
534230
Reply By: seachange - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 14:29
Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 14:29
Great idea Freshstart, and cheap too. Thank you
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