Second battery question Burstner?

[Monty don]

On my Burstner ixio 729 it has the hab battery under the drivers seat
Its a varta 95 amp hour so not that big in size and capacity
I would like to add another in tandem

It looks like another same size might fit in there tight fit but looks like it will

So has anyone done that two batteries under the drivers seat box on a Fiat Ducato platform?

Or have you scrapped that idea and put them elsewhere maybe using bigger batteries

Cheers
GB

 

[klaatu]

I added a second Varta 95 Ah battery next to the original one under my right hand seat, it just fits. Note that mine is LHD, so it's the passenger seat, but I doubt that makes a difference. I have a 2019 Globecar PVC.

 

[Monty don]

OK that sounds right as I reckon you can do that on mine after a quick look
But its a bit limited as space is restricted a bit to just those dimensions

Any other thoughts

 

[MichaelT]

Our Dethleffs has 2 under the drivers seat.

 

[Monty don]

Well that confirms that would be the easy quick option that I might go for

Who has done an updated bigger power version and how with this set up

GB

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[Rob Turner]

Here you go, they do fit.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the Varta is an AGM probably worth getting rid of it and fitting a couple of Gel's much more reliable.
If the EBL is under the other seat there will be room behind it for a second battery, that's what Hymer normally do if the battery is under the seat.

 

[Monty don]

yes was thinking of lithium as size is limited under the seat

what would you recommend?

 

[Allanm]

I have 2 Varta LFD 90 batteries under the passenger seat ( lhd). Bit of a squeeze but they do fit. Make sure they are well strapped down, there wasn’t enough room to fit metal retaining brackets on mine.

 

[Lenny HB]

yes was thinking of lithium as size is limited under the seat

what would you recommend?

If you go for lithium you are probably going to have to fit a new mains charger a B2B and new solar regulator depending on your current set up.
If you don't mind spending the money probably the way to go.

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[Rio340]

yes was thinking of lithium as size is limited under the seat

what would you recommend?

I have found it far easier to remove the toolbox under the passenger seats rather than dismantling the seat to gain access. So I now have 2 lithium's, one under each front seat accessible from the front hinged plastic panels. They are KS Energy KS-HT120 lithiums. There is no need to change the standard charger or solar charger. Fitting a B2B is a waste of money since if you want to up rate your charging, you just need sensible wiring and an ignition switched split charge relay. I was tempted to upgraded the solar charger for a decent MPPT though when I fitted additional solar panels.

 

[Rio340]

If you go for lithium you are probably going to have to fit a new mains charger a B2B and new solar regulator depending on your current set up.
If you don't mind spending the money probably the way to go.

I have found B2B chargers a waste of money with lithium when all that is required is a sensible investment in correct cabling and a ignition switch split charge relay. Those with motorhome or caravan with a Sargent px-300 charger/mains supply which are most vans over last 5 years will find they have a perfectly adequate charger for lithium already. The factory standard solar regulator will work on lithium but is probably worth upgrading regardless of lithium or not and it usually makes sense to do that if your adding additional solar panels

 

[Lenny HB]

I have found it far easier to remove the toolbox under the passenger seats rather than dismantling the seat to gain access. So I now have 2 lithium's, one under each front seat accessible from the front hinged plastic panels. They are KS Energy KS-HT120 lithiums. There is no need to change the standard charger or solar charger. Fitting a B2B is a waste of money since if you want to up rate your charging, you just need sensible wiring and an ignition switched split charge relay. I was tempted to upgraded the solar charger for a decent MPPT though when I fitted additional solar panels.

I have to disagree, unless your mains and solar chargers have proper Lithium settings you will shorten the life of the batteries considerably regardless of what the battery supplier says.
The need for a B2B is not to increase the charge rate but to have the correct charging regime for the batteries. With a stand split charge setup you will Lithium batteries in no time.

 

[Rio340]

That

I have to disagree, unless your mains and solar chargers have proper Lithium settings you will shorten the life of the batteries considerably regardless of what the battery supplier says.
The need for a B2B is not to increase the charge rate but to have the correct charging regime for the batteries. With a stand split charge setup you will Lithium batteries in no time.

That's not actually factually correct, there is a lot of confusion out there. I have been running lithium via split charge for over a year and a half now. I original had KS-100's but have just upgraded to KS-HT120's and made a point of upgrading the wiring to allow a total charge of 80A. The ideal voltage is 14.4V and the alternator is fixed to this maximum voltage in my Ducato as are most (although I know this year Fiat offer a stop/start option with a smart alternator but dont think Swift have adopted that). The standard PX-300 is excellent.

I am an electronic engineer by training so am very familiar with the technology. With lithium and using a B2B over split charging from a fixed voltage alternator, the only thing you are essentially doing is compensating for the voltage drop in the wiring due to its resistance and this can easily by overcome by better wiring. There are some very long vehicles with everything fitted in the back and tens of meters of cabling, so that task can become more difficult, granted. But there is not a special regime required for lithium, they are far simpler to charge than lead in this respect.

 

[Coolcats]

If the Varta is an AGM probably worth getting rid of it and fitting a couple of Gel's much more reliable.
If the EBL is under the other seat there will be room behind it for a second battery, that's what Hymer normally do if the battery is under the seat.

Exactly this in our HymerCar two batteries under the Drivers seat and the EBL under the passengers seat.

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[Lenny HB]

That

That's not actually factually correct, there is a lot of confusion out there. I have been running lithium via split charge for over a year and a half now. I original had KS-100's but have just upgraded to KS-HT120's and made a point of upgrading the wiring to allow a total charge of 80A. The ideal voltage is 14.4V and the alternator is fixed to this maximum voltage in my Ducato as are most (although I know this year Fiat offer a stop/start option with a smart alternator but dont think Swift have adopted that). The standard PX-300 is excellent.

I am an electronic engineer by training so am very familiar with the technology. With lithium and using a B2B over split charging from a fixed voltage alternator, the only thing you are essentially doing is compensating for the voltage drop in the wiring due to its resistance and this can easily by overcome by better wiring. There are some very long vehicles with everything fitted in the back and tens of meters of cabling, so that task can become more difficult, granted. But there is not a special regime required for lithium, they are far simpler to charge than lead in this respect.

IMO just not worth the risk with the price of the batteries.

 

[Bognor Saint]

Our Dethleffs has 2 under the drivers seat.

Ours too. That's the way it came from new.