Caravan Battery Location
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 08:20
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Member - John M (NSW)
I am building a 19' 6" Off Road Caravan similar to a Bushtracker. While in
Brisbane last weekend I looked at my mate's 23ft Traveller Caravan which I thought was reasonably
well built and it has the batteries mounted in battery racks located on the right hand side of the chassis just in from on the wheels.
The batteries are mounted high as it's an off road van.
My thoughts were that they could possibly be subjected to stone damage.
Has anyone had any experience with batteries being damaged located in this location.
I am using 3 x 120amp AGM batteries which require no maintenance but thought this was a good location as it provides additional space in the storage compartment and allows good access to maintain and service the batteries and cable connections and also moves substantial weight aft from the front of the van.
All comments and experience welcomed.
Regards
John
| Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain! Lifetime Member
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Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 08:58
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 08:58
John,
I have one of my AGM's mounted under the floor of my vehicle.
I had a metal box made that mounts up to the floor from underneath, it's held in place with 4 x bolts and has been (hanging) there since 1996.
Access to the battery can only be from inside the vehicle, I had a hole cut in the floor about the size and shape of a football, the 'lid' is a normal 'lid' that goes into the floor in some commercial vehicles to access the air cleaner etc. and 'lid' is
water and dust proof.
The battery box and battery, which weigh ~34 Kilos, has to be removed by placing a jack under it and lowering it, same method has to be used to install it.
The battery has never been removed since it was fitted.
(pics only by request)
Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID:
374731
Follow Up By: RV Powerstream P/L - Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 10:17
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 10:17
1996-2009 Why would you being carrying around that weight with a 13 year old dead battery in the box. (LOL)
And I thought I did
well with an Optima 2001-2009 that I just replaced.
Mainey if its still alive you must be doing something right.
ian
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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 09:59
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 09:59
G/Day John
Our 2 Batteries are mounted in Battery Boxes in the Caravan Boot, adjacent to the Electrical 240/12 volt gear, still have plenty of room for the rest of the stuff in the boot, even thinking about installing an extra battery when I get the Solar Panels mounted, the vans all ready wired for them.
Cheers
AnswerID:
374743
Reply By: Ray - Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 10:33
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 10:33
Mine are located in a box on the draw bar. Very easy access
AnswerID:
374754
Reply By:- Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 11:08
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 11:08
Hi John,
I'm afraid I don't have an answer to your battery question but I am very interested in how you are building your van. I am doing research into this at the moment. Any chance of a run down on what materials you're using and how you have made it so far?
email is evanmunroe@bigpond.com
Cheers
Ev
AnswerID:
374762
Reply By: tim_c - Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 11:53
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 11:53
John, heavy things should generally be mounted as close to the axle(s) as possible, and if they have to go at one end, generally the front end would be less unstable (you can get a very "waggy tail" by having heavy loads too far back behind the caravan/trailer axle).
For batteries, it would be better again not to have them too far back as you'll need a lot more copper or you'll suffer voltage loss (assuming you'll be charging them from the car).
I'd be surprised if your mate's batteries copped many stones if they are mounted near/over the axle - they'll generally only cop stones if they are BEHIND the axle (ie. the wheels flick the stones up). If you're still worried about stone damage, install a stone shield (even just a rubber 'mud-flap' would reduce potential damage significantly).
AnswerID:
374769
Reply By: Member - Warwick D (SA) - Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 18:25
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 at 18:25
Greetings, have one like you describe, batteries have often travelled all over the Flinders and
Gammon Ranges, on all the tracks. I have been under the van all last week replacing the bituminous black sealant layer, and checking all else. No damage to the batteries or boxes. Hope this helps. There are still plenty of loose stones in every nook and cranny, indicative of the rough tracks and the stones that get thrown up. It appears this is not really a problem to worry about. WD
AnswerID:
374825
Follow Up By: Member - John M (NSW) - Friday, Jul 17, 2009 at 07:15
Friday, Jul 17, 2009 at 07:15
Thanks
Warwick
That is the information that I was looking for.
The batteries would be located on the side of the main chassis in front of the tandem 3.5 tonne Simplicity
Suspension as per the Traveller Caravan which moves a lot of weight from the very front of the van thus reducing ball weight as I intend to have a large forward storage locker which will house all of the ouside furniture, generator, supplies and bits and pieces.
Regards
John | Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain! Lifetime Member
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