Second Leisure Battery Chausson

StanandShirley

StanandShirley

LIFE MEMBER
Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Posts
415
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491
Location
Chatteris Cambridgeshire
Funster No
31,226
MH
Chausson Titanium 640
Exp
four years
Have new Chausson 640 arriving next week, have asked for a second leisure battery to be fitted and have told it not policy to do so. A friend has just had an extra one fitted to his new Chausson at a different dealer. Anyone had any problems or advice with your Chausson ?
 
cant see how one make of van would be any different than another , electrics still 12 volt or 240 mains, you can have as many batteries as you like as long as they are joined together properly.
 
They probably don't like doing it as it involves taking out the passenger seat, or at least it did on my 718 and 717. Highbridge were quite happy to do it.
 
As well as maybe taking out your passenger seat, which is a big, heavy and awkward lump, they might have to fabricate a none standard fastening to hold the two batteries in place.
 
Ha
Sandancers said:
As well as maybe taking out your passenger seat, which is a big, heavy and awkward lump, they might have to fabricate a none standard fastening to hold the two batteries in place.
Click to expand...
d our hab check this week the bloke said he recently fitted a second leisure battery onder the seat it had to be exactly the same as the first one to fit and was b*****r to get in . I suspect its so tight it might not need a bracket!!!!

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The Wino said:
Ha

d our hab check this week the bloke said he recently fitted a second leisure battery onder the seat it had to be exactly the same as the first one to fit and was b*****r to get in . I suspect its so tight it might not need a bracket!!!!
Click to expand...

The standard bracket, at least on ours, has to be replaced to get the second battery in. Not only for the front to back space, but to stop both batteries moving up or down. I'll be putting the 2 new batteries in next week, so will post some pics of how I did it.
 
Sandancers said:
The standard bracket, at least on ours, has to be replaced to get the second battery in. Not only for the front to back space, but to stop both batteries moving up or down. I'll be putting the 2 new batteries in next week, so will post some pics of how I did it.
Click to expand...
Will be interested to see as thinking of doing ours is it a Ford?. Interested to see how to get the seat out for starters!!
 
Our supplying dealer fitted an extra 110ah battery alongside the original under the passenger seat last year for our new Chausson 627GA with no issues.

Edit Ford also
 
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Ive got the 620 on a ford base..
I fitted two batteries under the passanger seat...
And the securing plate on the original single battery was modified to secure the two batteries..
Before and after photos in best blue peter tradition:LOL:

20160507_123154.jpg


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Hi Stan just found your thread and the pics you mentioned. Looks like you can do it on the ford. Best of luck
 
Our Benimar Ford already comes pre-wired for a second battery. They even supply a second battery box and plastic cover for it. Each battery has its own in-line fuse.
 
I don't think they want the job or they haven't any body capable of doing it. If you do have it done make sure its the same make/model of battery.
 
I would be interested to hear what story they come up with as to why it can't be done.

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Here is the wording of an email I received from Chausson
The leirsure battery has to be placed under the cab seat, passenger seat so it is forbidden to fit two leisure batteries under that seat.
If you want a second leirsure battery, you have to see where it will be fitted with the person who will make it.
This is under your and fitter responsibility. This is under your and the fitter responsibility.
If the fitting isn’t correct with regard to the regulation and our recommendations of course the warranty will be invalid.
 
I find that really surprising. Benimar include all the necessary bits to fit a second battery under the passenger seat of the Ford. (Ours is just 3 months old.) All the wiring and battery connectors are in place, there is a spare battery vent tube fitted, and they even include the spare battery box and flat cover. Chausson say it is forbidden to fit two batteries in the same model Ford. Benimar and Chausson are both sister companies owned by Trigano.

It may be worth going back to Chausson and ask why Benimar include an extra battery box and pre-fit the wiring for a second battery if it is forbidden.

We looked at the Chausson, glad we finally went for the Benimar.
 
StanandShirley said:
so it is forbidden to fit two leisure batteries under that seat.
Click to expand...
k
You might also point out to them that ford themselves often fit two batteries under the driver seat plinth... a start battery and an auxillary vehicle battery..
The seat plinths are identical and ford in their recommended procedures in the document they provide to converters make it quite clear its ok to fit additional batteries under the passanger plinth...
I cant remember what they call the document but its available as a free download to anyone from the ford etis site..
Andy.
Ps.. just looked it up...
The document i refered to is the bemm... body and equipment mounting manual... that ford produce for converters...
 
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Interesting and thanks to thebriars and Andy, will be sending off these queries to Chausson, wonder how long I’ll wait for a reply and to what they say?
 
StanandShirley said:
Interesting and thanks to thebriars and Andy, will be sending off these queries to Chausson, wonder how long I’ll wait for a reply and to what they say?
Click to expand...

Chausson and the dealer that stick to that line of advice must surley loose any credability...
You havent been given any credible explination as to why it not viable..
If they are suggesting their electrical system ie charger and circuitry isnt up to two leisure batteries it would indicate their product isnt really fit for purpose...
My advice would be just get someone who can do the job and get on with it..
Lifes to short to be dealing with that sort of thing...:whistle::LOL:
Andy..

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Have sent off query to Chausson quoting the points mentioned above, will also bring these up with the Dealers Rep
Again thanks for everyone’s support
 
You could also ask if their objections are based on mechanical (ie batteries not secured properly) or electrical issues.

Anyway, I have fitted two new leisure batteries under the passenger seat. Not a job I'd like to do every day. I made up some new metal brackets to ensure that the batteries could not move around, tho even without the brackets there was limited space for them to move. But at least it complies with the MOT requirement that the batteries are mechanically held.

IMG_20190319_154608.jpg
IMG_20190319_154337.jpg
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StanandShirley said:
Have sent off query to Chausson quoting the points mentioned above, will also bring these up with the Dealers Rep
Again thanks for everyone’s support
Click to expand...


Let us know what they say?

If they say the wiring is not up to it my Chausson is going straight back to the main dealer that fitted a 2nd battery!!
 
I removed my battery from under the seat on my Chausson, if for some emergency reason you had to disconnect it , it would take quite a bit of time especially if it was overheating and gassing , I put 2 in the garage ,but, made up a support board to help distribute the weight on the garage floor and also made sure the weight of the batteries was over the chassis , also used steel clamps for security the good thing for me was they were placed quite near the Inverter and the batteries breather system is piped through the floor, the electrical work was carried out by a fully qualified Electrician
 
We have a 2018 Chausson 628eb which we are over the moon with but wish that we had bought the 640 as you have. With experience it is a better layout. The Ford engine is superb.

It is nonsense for Chausson to have refused a second battery. We had a lithium setup installed in the rear garage but would certainly have had a second battery fitted if not. If they won't do it then take it to a auto exlectrician or other dealer and get it done. Keep us informed on what you hear back from Chausson and enjoy the new vehicle.

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Reply I got from Chausson as you will see they totally ignored the information I sent from other Fun Members.
Dealers told me they used to fit extra batteries but have been told from Chausson not to fit anymore
They say it could invalid the warranty on one hand but say it’s up to the Dealers
Just hope we love our van when we pick it up next week, then it’s down to Vanbitz to get alarm fitted unfortunately they only have time to fit the alarm I have ordered.
 
Hi Stan,

How are you getting on with the 640? We have the 630 on a Ford. We like it but feel it limits our wild camping needs with only the one leisure battery. Mike.
 
andy63 said:
Ive got the 620 on a ford base..
I fitted two batteries under the passanger seat...
And the securing plate on the original single battery was modified to secure the two batteries..
Before and after photos in best blue peter tradition:LOL:

View attachment 290093

View attachment 290096
Click to expand...
Hi what was the make and model of batteries please thanks in advance don’t know the vehicle battery do you
 
chaser said:
cant see how one make of van would be any different than another , electrics still 12 volt or 240 mains, you can have as many batteries as you like as long as they are joined together properly.
Click to expand...

Possible problem if the battery charger isn't up to charging that amount of batteries. Charger will have to work harder and could overheat/fail.

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