Cabin battery placement

[Astrodawn]

so i'm setting up my solar and i just got an AGM 100ah battery that weighs about 70lbs.

i read through some other threads, and most people attach their batteries to the frame under the vehicle. i don't want to get that involved, so i'm just going to leave it in the cabin. i was planning to put it behind the driver's seat.

will this affect the handling of the van much and should i be concerned about placement of the battery? i'm not going to have anything else of comparable weight inside of the van.

thanks!

[dramey]

If you have rear heat, then you do not want to put the AGM battery behind the drivers seat because it will be blocking the rear heat. If you do not have rear heat, then I see no problem in placing the AGM battery behind the drivers seat.

[scoundrel2u]

an agm battery would work well for your application. i wouldn't skimp on the charge controller or a good battery box for that 70 # beast. a marine style battery box would hide the terminals and has a strap and hardware to secure it to the floor.

[AstroWill]

Just a few quick questions before you get ahead of yourself. What is it that you plan on powering? How much driving do you plan to do on a daily basis? How long will you be parked at one time without moving?

[Astrodawn]

a marine style battery box would hide the terminals and has a strap and hardware to secure it to the floor.

hmm. i hadn't thought of hiding the terminals. thanks for the tip. i probably won't buy a box, though i haven't looked into how exactly to secure it to the van yet.

Just a few quick questions before you get ahead of yourself. What is it that you plan on powering? How much driving do you plan to do on a daily basis? How long will you be parked at one time without moving?

this is just for charging laptop and phone batteries as well as operating a small fan, at the moment. i'll probably drive no more than 5 hours a day, and want to be able to park without moving for a week or two.
i'm not planning to hook it up to the starting battery, if that's what you're after.

[AstroWill]

Just a few quick questions before you get ahead of yourself. What is it that you plan on powering? How much driving do you plan to do on a daily basis? How long will you be parked at one time without moving?

this is just for charging laptop and phone batteries as well as operating a small fan, at the moment. i'll probably drive no more than 5 hours a day, and want to be able to park without moving for a week or two.
i'm not planning to hook it up to the starting battery, if that's what you're after.

Sounds like a waste of solar if you ask me, unless you are going to be living on your laptop. Having it connected to the vehicle charging system is the cheapest most reliable way to ensure that your battery gets charged. But to each their own.

[Astrodawn]

it's the idea of using renewable energy that gets me excited.

honestly, this is just for me to have a project to work on and experiment with. when/if i stop living in the van, i'll continue to use the setup. and if i ever own a house/land, i plan on going off-grid completely.

it may not be the best option, or one i would recommend to others, but i've got the time, money, and basic electrical knowledge.

[AstroWill]

I have had solar for years, so I hear what you are saying.
I would still connect it to the vehicle charging system, regardless of adding solar.

[Astrodawn]

I would still connect it to the vehicle charging system, regardless of adding solar.

Good idea. I probably will, but it might have to come after we're on the road.

[GypsyDogs]

continuous duty solenoid, at alternator, to 'house' battery.
Charges while you drive, and cuts off when you shut off ignition.
(and if you are clever. install a second wire set to house battery with a heavy duty switch under dash. that way, if you leave your lights on or some silly thing.. you can jump start your own damned self.. VERY Handy when camping in BFE
lol- believe me, I know)

Then invest in a small solar set for when you are parked.

I would invest in the battery box.. it keeps the terminals protected, you can strap it down, and/or Bolt through the bottom to the floor.
I would Really hate to think what a 70lb flying missile could do during an accident..!!

"best" place would be near passenger side rear axle.. for load bearing and offsetting driver weight.

Just my $.02

[AstroWill]

and if you are clever. install a second wire set to house battery with a heavy duty switch under dash. that way, if you leave your lights on or some silly thing.. you can jump start your own damned self.. VERY Handy when camping in BFE

That would be a huge waste, you can just jumper the solenoid.

[Astrodawn]

you can charge a starting battery with a deep cycle battery?

(asking cause my van needs jumped lol)

[AstroWill]

you can charge a starting battery with a deep cycle battery?

(asking cause my van needs jumped lol)

You can use it as a 'booster', yes.

[Astrodawn]

i've never heard that term before. what does it mean?

[AstroWill]

Like this but without the compressor/usb ports. It won't charge your battery, but if it gets your van started, then the alternator can charge it. Just remember that starter batteries don't do well being discharged very much and will quickly kill the battery if done often and deep enough.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Battery-Jum ... 2811319010

[Astrodawn]

ahh. so i can just hook it up with jumper cables and try to jump it as if it was another car?

Just remember that starter batteries don't do well being discharged very much and will quickly kill the battery if done often and deep enough.

this scares me. i definitely need to fix my electrical problem that keeps draining my batteries.

[AstroWill]

ahh. so i can just hook it up with jumper cables and try to jump it as if it was another car?

Exactly!

Just remember that starter batteries don't do well being discharged very much and will quickly kill the battery if done often and deep enough.

this scares me. i definitely need to fix my electrical problem that keeps draining my batteries.

Most definitely! Do you have a digital volt/ohm meter?

[Astrodawn]

Exactly!

too bad i don't have screws for the terminals yet...

Do you have a digital volt/ohm meter?

yup. i'm pretty sure i know what is happening. the power locks go crazy when it rains.

[AstroWill]

Exactly!

too bad i don't have screws for the terminals yet... :cry:

You can just use bolts for it, if you have some that fit.

Do you have a digital volt/ohm meter?

yup. i'm pretty sure i know what is happening. the power locks go crazy when it rains.

Ahhh, yea, you should get that leak fixed first, grab a cheap battery disconnect from walmart or amazon and just disconnect the battery, yes you lose your radio settings but it's better than killing a battery or being stranded. Or disable the power locks by pulling the fuse.

[Astrodawn]

grab a cheap battery disconnect from walmart or amazon and just disconnect the battery

can't i just use a wrench?

yes you lose your radio settings

you assume my radio works. lulz.