Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:19:53 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Battery placement alternatives
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTikd4Qab0aKX5xfLWms3Pez0-eWhy7JhHROFUqWt@mail.gmail.com>
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There is space for a battery on each rear corner of the Vanagon chassis.
I understand the diesel has one there. I have an inline gas motor mounted
diesel style but my engine control (brain) is mounted on the right side
where the diesel battery is. The left side...there's plenty of room there
for a battery.
Yes, it would be a pain to access when the van is in camping mode...But
how about one of the RV 'access panels' back there, making those two corners
of our vans accessable from outside? Vanagons need more rear weight anyhow
for better traction...the batteries back there would really help that.
Right now, when the snow flies, I usually have to put about 300lbs of wood
stove pellets in the back of my van to get up hills in the snow...A couple
of big deep cycle batteries would be good back there, along with maybe my
chains and shovels and some heavy tools, all accessed through panels below
the corner pillar vents. I am going to look into that...As I was doing some
work back in my engine bay recently I kept looking at all that inside
space...just going to waste.
Right now I have a battery under each seat...they work fine and I keep my
seats lubed so they slide forward making access no problem, but the weight
is in exactly the wrong place to give me traction. And I would love to have
a couple of drawers under those seats for maps, flashlights and stuff I use
often while in the front area..
I did find some quality 'copies' of marine power outlets
online...inexpensive and not too awful...they look like exact copies of real
quality but at about 10% of the cost. I have a couple of those in strategic
spots now instead of the VW one. They also offer a locking male plug for
that specific outlet. They have water resistant covers, too..You could use
one on the outside, in a sheltered spot, I think. I plan on placing one to
plug my solar panel into.
Don Hanson
On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 3:50 PM, Annie <lsandrsn@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've been thinking recently of the location of the main battery under the
> passenger front seat and it's a horrendous place for it be.
>
> Has anyone moved theirs elsewhere in the van? If so, care to share
> details/pics? What are the drawbacks of moving it? Where do you move it?
> Thoughts, ideas, solutions?
>
> I'm curious what I can do to get out from under the seat. I don't like it
> there.
>
> *Annie Anderson* Blogger, Designer, Thinker & Mom
> web: annieandersonblog.com email: lsandrsn@gmail.com
> twitter: silverlunace <http://twitter.com/silverlunace> facebook:
> anniesanderson <http://facebook.com/anniesanderson>
> *Blazin' a trail where there is no path.*
>
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