2nd battery Relocate - Diesel Forum

Alaskapsdvan · 02-29-2008, 02:54 PM

I have been thinking of changing the location of the second battery fir my van.
Now my thoughts have been to move the under the van battery to a case that would be in the van back by where the tire change tools are at.

So the question is A)Has any one relocated the second battery?
B)Where has it been relocated to if moved?

Thanks

beaker · 03-01-2008, 10:52 AM

2004's on up have the batteries right next to one another on the frame rail.

Alaskapsdvan · 03-01-2008, 03:37 PM

I have seen an 05' with both batteries on the side rail, what I am looking for is has any one moved one or both batteries in to the van?
so far it is looking like I am the only one that is thinking with an infinitely large box.

stroked_van · 03-02-2008, 12:42 AM

Only thing I would be worried about is the size of the cables needed to move it that far back. Seems like they would need to be rather large. I have been thinking about relocating the "under hood" battery to the rail next to the other battery on mine.
What are the reasons for moving it to the back of the van......ease of access, adding an inverter (just curious)?
Should be able to have a welding shop make large flexible cables that would work for it. Also need to think about venting it for off gassing (to keep down the corrosion in that area). Shouldn't be to hard to do though.

Alaskapsdvan · 03-02-2008, 01:11 AM

I know that the old VW bug that I had years ago had the battery under the rear seat,, needless to say one did not have a large person in the back...
There is a customer of mine that runs an elect shop.. rebuilding just about every thing elect for trucks cars etc.............. and he has a large cable maybe just a little bigger than the one that is now in use for the second battery and it would make the run from front to rear..

Right now the side rail battery gets just about any road muck that is out there slowly working in and shorting it out....

Now I also know that a number of small airplanes have the battery inside.

It is my work van and the only people would be the wife in the normal right seat...... the dogs are on the bench seat that is over the wheels... tools and parts are in the space that the very last bench would be in......... there is a spot that I could put it.. I was looking to see if any one had gotten tired of the BS that the side rail battery has when ever changing or doing any work to it..

The F boys have it made...... both under the hood.......

beaker · 03-02-2008, 09:34 AM

I had an Audi Quattro wagon with the battery under the back seat. BMW puts their batteries there on most models. The new Pontiac G8 has a battery in the trunk. It's done for weight distribution.

I'm looking to do it for the same reason, although not necessarily for improved handling. My van currently weighs 500# more in the front than the back. That 7.3 is really heavy and it's really hard on the front springs. It should hopefully keep it from hitting the bump stops as much on dirt roads and two-tracks. I know it's only 65# or so, but every little bit should help.

u2slow · 03-03-2008, 12:45 PM

At first I wanted to put both batteries on the frame. But when I went to replace the one under there it became quite clear that its a harsh environment with road salt, mud, rain, etc.

Instead, I put both batteries under the first back seat (YMMV, my rig is a bus body conversion).

If you do go this way, I suggest switching to a group 27 or 31 battery. There's much better selection for battery boxes than the odd-ball Ford group 65's.

Alaskapsdvan · 03-03-2008, 01:27 PM

Some good looking photos of what you have done.

When I move the battery I was going to run a Positive line all the way from the front to the 2nd battery in the rear.. also use a battery box with a cover and bolted on the floor.

u2slow · 03-03-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaskapsdvan

Some good looking photos of what you have done.

When I move the battery I was going to run a Positive line all the way from the front to the 2nd battery in the rear.. also use a battery box with a cover and bolted on the floor.

Thanks!

I couldn't find a battery box that fit the group 65s at all. The frame-mount boxes aren't very nice to put inside. I ended up re-using the stock underhood tray (and buying another) and bought generic hold down straps from an RV/boat place.

You don't have to run the cable all the way to the front. Just stop at the starter. I would run at least a #2/0 - perhaps larger because of the distance.

Alaskapsdvan · 03-03-2008, 02:16 PM

The one electric repair shop has some boxes that are just a little bit larger than the batteries that I have right now and would work great for the relocation of the second battery.
He has the cable that I would use , it is just a bit bigger than what is in use now because of the added distance to the rear.

With out a shop to work in I am holding off till spring or summer to do the battery change and add some more lights to the van along with changing some of the lights on the rear along with changing the wires to the rear lights so that they are brighter.. nothing like trying to back a van down a long drive way in the dark with only the stock lights....... it does not work well.

When I get this done I am going to need to take photos and get them posted.

ridintall · 03-04-2008, 12:36 PM

I added a second battery to my other truck and used super fat welder's cable to run it to the back of my truck. Although it's not the same setup as a dual battery diesel van, I found using the fat welder's cable worked well for keeping it charged from my isolator. Use the same size for the ground as well.

u2slow · 03-04-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridintall

I added a second battery to my other truck and used super fat welder's cable to run it to the back of my truck. Although it's not the same setup as a dual battery diesel van, I found using the fat welder's cable worked well for keeping it charged from my isolator. Use the same size for the ground as well.

Welding cable comes in many sizes. #2/0 and #4/0 are quite common. It has finer stranding than battery cable so its a bit more flexible.

Alaskapsdvan · 05-23-2009, 02:07 PM

The summer of 08' was not the year for the move.

But now the move is on!

Bought the #2/0, 21' of the cable.

Bought 2 new batteries, I know that one if not both are running with a bad cell each.

Bought the box and last night I was putting it in. Drilled the holes for nuts and bolts to hold the box down and a hole large enough for the cables with their ends to fit in.

Today I am moving to run the cable and anchor the neg end, remove the second battery and its box.

I took some photos of the box and where it is at, and will be taking some more with the cable run.

Alaskapsdvan · 05-23-2009, 07:59 PM

It Is Done!!!!!!

Photos to follow..

Alaskapsdvan · 05-24-2009, 01:19 AM

I have more photos of this and the GPR replacement in the photo gallery.