Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:31:10 -0400
Reply-To: Karl <tdiguru@WESTYVENTURES.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl <tdiguru@WESTYVENTURES.COM>
Subject: Re: Aux Battery Suggestions for under Drivers seat
In-Reply-To: <12E6533D-1C24-40AC-A643-F0950ADB551C@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
They are the same length and width as the originals, but deeper. I cut
out most of but not all the original box, and the new one slips inside
the opening left. The only things holding them in place are the angle
flange in front and the rear lip held down by the rivets through the
hinges of the folding lids. Liberal application of 3M seam sealer around
all edges underneath. The tires would rub just the corner with stock
springs, but with the Trailmaster suspension there is no more problem.
The boxes were much simpler to do in this van because it didn't have
factory seat swivels, but I did bolt in a set.
Karl
On 3/21/2013 2:14 PM, Varotto Hugo wrote:
> Karl,
>
> That looks like a great idea! Am I correct in understanding that the boxes are just longer/deeper?
>
> Are there any side consequences? Do the tires rub or do you need to use special shocks/springs?
>
> Also,looks like you mounted them from above, do they slide within the original box or completely replace it?
>
> Last question, are the boxes welded in place or riveted?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Hugo
>
> On Mar 20, 2013, at 8:06 PM, Karl Mullendore <tdiguru@WESTYVENTURES.COM> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:53:33 -0600, Richard A Jones <Jones@COLORADO.EDU> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I believe Karl Mullendore figured out that the max amp-hours you could
>>> fit under the driver seat was to put 4 UB12220 batteries there. I can't
>>> find anything on his site now--he's moved on to bigger things under
>>> other places. (westyventures.com)
>>>
>>> Here's a pix of the setup--4x22 amp/hour batteries:
>>> http://jones.colorado.edu/VW/UB12220.jpg
>>>
>>> Hmmm.... I wonder what he has under his driver seat now?
>>>
>>> Richard
>>
>> Actually, I never installed a set of those in my own van (only in a couple
>> customer vans), since I had one Interstate MTP-91 under each front seat and
>> a 4D under the rear seat. But that was my 'old' Syncro, now rusted to
>> pieces. :-(
>> In the 'new' Syncro I cut out the original battery boxes and fabricated new
>> boxes 2-1/4" deeper, allowing the use of group 27 100-ah Lifeline AGM
>> deep-cycle batteries, some of the best on the market - at $270 each. These
>> are connected in parallel so basically one large 200-amp-hour battery. Since
>> the TDI fires up a a touch of the key, I don't worry about a separate
>> starting battery. No relays or separators needed, really simplifying things.
>> I did add a Victron battery monitor gauge which helps tremendously in
>> keeping track of usage and remaining capacity. Details and photos here:
>> http://www.westyventures.com/rigs.html
>>
>> Karl
>> Westy Ventures
>> Propex USA
>
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