Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:32:18 -0700
Reply-To: Annie <lsandrsn@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Annie <lsandrsn@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Battery placement alternatives
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimTpFjm7w5UY73XNHxf7BHqdap7qQMKdakXeVWu@mail.gmail.com>
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Don -
I like that idea! In fact, a little bit ago, I was thinking exactly that.
The "camping mode" doesn't bother me anyway as mine's not a Westy so it'll
be a rare occasion that I have the back stuffed full. Although, who knows? I
might get bitten by the camping bug someday now that I'm a Vanagon owner.
;-) And I would like to travel some. With 4 kids, there WILL be lots of
gear, I'm sure!
But I do like the idea of putting it in the back with an outside access
panel. That would be so handy! Not to mention, as you said already, extra
space to store stuff - tire chains and what-not. Let me know what you find
out when you "look into it." ;-)
*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.*
On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 8:19 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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