Extra battery placement

[Dustin Anderson]

Has anyone installed an extra battery?

 

Where ?

 

Thanks

 

Dustin

[DesertTed]

I'm going to add to your question. I'm going to put in a three-battery bank for our conversion van as we glamp almost entirely off the grid. We've been thinking of placement behind the driver seat. But, on top of the three batteries, our control panel has lots of goodies: the CTEK charger and Smartpass, the 6 gang switch, the 1100 watt inverter (huge!), the master shut off switch, attachment for the inverter, and last, the remote for the inverter. All of that equipment is going to take a lot of space, so Hub and I have been debating as to where it should be. If we put it aft, under the bed, size wouldn't be a problem. But we would need the 100 watt Renogy folding solar system to be connected to the Smartpass. That necessitates placing the bank where it would block access to at least 1/3 of the underbed area. In addition, as a control freak, I want to be able to monitor the system actively while we're under way.

 

Any suggestions as to our options, folks?

[Dustin Anderson]

I'm going to add to your question. I'm going to put in a three-battery bank for our conversion van as we glamp almost entirely off the grid. We've been thinking of placement behind the driver seat. But, on top of the three batteries, our control panel has lots of goodies: the CTEK charger and Smartpass, the 6 gang switch, the 1100 watt inverter (huge!), the master shut off switch, attachment for the inverter, and last, the remote for the inverter. All of that equipment is going to take a lot of space, so Hub and I have been debating as to where it should be. If we put it aft, under the bed, size wouldn't be a problem. But we would need the 100 watt Renogy folding solar system to be connected to the Smartpass. That necessitates placing the bank where it would block access to at least 1/3 of the underbed area. In addition, as a control freak, I want to be able to monitor the system actively while we're under way.

 

Any suggestions as to our options, folks?

 

This gives me the idea to put it under my starboard side shelving. Thanks for adding in. 

[wollip]

DesertTed -

If I was faced with incorporating three large batteries into my build, I'd seriously consider relocating the spare tire and utilizing that cavity. If for no other reason than being able to center that much weight and keeping it low.

[DesertTed]

I already suggested that possibility to Hub. He doesn't like it and it's not a battle I choose to win at this time, but that may change depending on our space constraints. The CG on the NV is right behind the console which wouldn't change if the batteries were placed there. The extra stability of having the batteries in the spare tire space is attractive, though the weight up high in our vehicle will be relatively low. No roof rack, no solar panels on top, just portable ones stowed inside. We've spent years of our lives camping, we travel pretty light.

 

Hub pointed it that the weight of the three batteries is not much more than the weight of the average male in the US (195.5lbs per the CDC), so I shouldn't worry too much about the additional weight on the floor.

 

Trying to maintain domestic tranquility while doing this conversation can be trying...

Edited September 6, 2016 by DesertTed

[Spacecaptain]

My end goal plans include a 3 battery bank with solar panels on roof, but for starters i am doing a single 12 aux battery that i will relocate to behind the drivers seat. It will be hooked up to a 2000w inverter nearby and im hoping will be the groundwork for the future add ons.
I have read the stock battery can be turned 90deg and moved to accomodate another battery, keeping both batts together under the hood. I believe it involves fabricating some bracket or holder, maybe a modded dual box will suffice but i havent looked too deep into it yet. I read this on the titan owners forum (one of them).

 

As for a battery bank in the spare tire location, seems like a really great idea, but then where do i put my spare tire? I just upgraded to Nitto terra grapplers and sprung for the 5th, it would be a shame to leave not have it in a pinch. I could go with a door mount, but that seems like it would weigh the door and just make me want to splurge on alumness. For me, too much of an endeavor to entertain for now. Also my immediate needs only call for one battery, i will have to slowly grow into and build the batt bank.

 

I'll likely do what most others here have done and run 0ga thru the firewall, under driver seat, and into cargo area.

[HERvan]

Ensure that what ever type of battery you put in the passenger compartment is in its OWN SEPARATE compartment, well secured (accidents, you know; batteries are heavy) and VENTED (even AGM's) to the outside.  Also make sure you have the appropriate insulated high amperage disconnects, easily accessible from the outside of the battery compartment (those used for boats come to mind), and the box is well insulated, inside, electrically.  You don't want to see what happens to a battery that is shorted by a wrench or other loose piece of metal.

[dslate7314]

Such an old topic but I couldn't find the answer when I searched. I bought two dual use marine 27 batteries and turned the batteies 90 degrees and was able to fit two. I did have to grind off the factory battery holders and buy an after market battery tray. All in all less then 30 min of work but a little less than double the capacity.

[kenlyl]

Dslate7314

 

Do you have any installation photos you of your Dual Battery installation you can share ?

 

Thanks in advance

[Randucci]

Dslate7314

 

Do you have any installation photos you of your Dual Battery installation you can share ?

 

Thanks in advance

 

.

 

 I would be interested in a couple pictures also. Did you use an isolator for the second battery?

 

.

[Mdsnyder108]

I found pics a few months ago on a Titan forum and others on a Frontier forum for two batteries mounted in the factory position. I am looking at doing the same thing. Isolators are readily available on Amazon. When my battery was out over the winter I pulled up the plastic tray underneath and the fender is already drilled with holes. Should be just a matter of putting in aftermarket trays and bolting them down well. I made mock-ups from cardboard and they fit perfectly, with more room than what you see in the Titan pics. Just Google "dual battery Nissan Titan" and look at the pics that come right up. Will post pics when mine is done, but that might be a month or two

Edited May 2, 2017 by Mdsnyder108

[dslate7314]

Sorry haven't visited for a while. I am leaving for the Florida Keys tomorrow morning. Will try to post pictures when I get back in two weeks. i didn't install an isolator, I just  ran the batteries in parallel.  I removed the center console and installed a refrigerator/freezer chest and just wanted a little extra battery capacity since I only drive the van two or three days a week and for road trips. Looking at the Nissan Titan dual battery images the NV is definitely roomier for the battery placement. 

[Mdsnyder108]

Here's my dual battery install:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXDrT6yFCit/

 

The Off Grid Engineering Tacoma dual battery tray fits my V6 NV2500 perfectly. You do need to cut the factory mounts out and bolt though to the wheel well.

 

Here are close ups of the clearance:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXDs7T_lKIS/

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXEH0GOlJ1O/

 

I am using the Tmax control system available on Amazon.

Edited July 27, 2017 by Mdsnyder108

[Cargi Goes]

"Has anyone installed an extra battery?

Where ?

Thanks

Dustin "

We had installed 3 Group 31 Deka batteries, 105 amps apiece.

Have 400 amps solar panels on roof, but found we needed more for boondocking.
We added three 214 amp Odyssey batteries giving us 642 amps vs previous 315 amps.

Now we are doing fantastic.

If needed for lack of sun, rain, etc, Pete added a switch so we can power from the van battery
while we are driving. We just switch back to the solar power when we need to turn off Cargi...

Where?    Next to our shower stall we have an area for the batteries on the bottom and shelves above.
This is right next to the wheelwell on the drivers side.

 

:)
 

[HERvan]

Ford puts two under the driver's seat on the full-size Transit's.  AGM's I think.  Vented through the floor.  Also fuses and buss bars in the compartment, as well.  Can't get them in or out, or access easily, without removing the driver's seat and mounting.  HERvan

[Lowrideractual]

I was/is/are thinking about a Lithium in the rear by my propane. I'm not an expert on Lith but isn't there a heat issue with them if you placed them under the hood with the starting battery? I have 2 one hundred watt solar panels that I'd like to suppliment the charging capacity when parked. I have a clean genny to help if needed. I am also thinking maybe the panels and batteries belong in my trailer since it may tag along with motorcycles on board and keep weight on the trailer. I guess if the NV needs to pull it then it's probably the same as in the cargo area. I have some 27's that are for trolling motors but they probably wouldn't mind helping out in the van.

 

Thanks in advance!

[crusty]

FiFePO4 batteries do have thermal restrictions.  Don't charge below freezing, many (not all!) have low temp cutoff to prevent that.  You are correct, there is an upper limit as well.  Usually about 141°F.  And under the hood will pass that in all but a blizzard.  Inside the cabin is pretty much the only place you can put those batteries.