Battery Placement

[RogerD]

I'm going to get 8 golf cart batteries. Which is a little over 500 pounds.

I have an extended chevy express van.

Should all 8 batteries be close to each other or is it OK to place in different areas in the van for better weight distribution.

I was thinking 2 behind the driver seat, 2 behind the passenger seat and 2 near each rear wheel well. But I'm guessing this may not be the best way to do it and should be closer together.

 

[Trebor English]

If the batteries are far apart that means some are close to charging source and get good charging, some are farther and have more wire resistamce.  Over time small differences add up.

 

[RogerD]

I suspected something like that existed and keeping them together was the better way to do it.

Thanks

 

[WanderingCanuck]

To keep the lowest center of gravity, you'd want them down as close to the floor as possible and in the same place as the existing center of gravity, which is probably somewhat forward of the middle (due to the weight of the engine). Putting them slightly farther back where the cargo would go is likely to offset this, and is where the vehicle was designed to take the most additional weight. However, this is right where you're going to want to be moving around so it isn't very practical. My own plan is to mount heavy batteries and equipment just behind the seats, most likely on the passenger side because it somewhat balances out the weight of the driver (me). I don't think this makes any real difference though, and you'd be best near the vehicle center line if you can manage it.

Definitely keep them together and wire them correctly for consistent wire resistance to each battery. There are links that someone else can point to for this.

 

[Canine]

The batteries can be farther apart and still be charged evenly. There are threads in the forum about that.

As long as the batteries are forward of the rear tires, you will be fine. I've hauled lots and lots and lots of stuff over the years. Separating the batteries into four different spots is completely unnecessary. I would put four batteries in front of one wheel well then four in front of the other one or put four behind one seat then four behind the other seat.

How many amp hours is that? Seems like a lot. Are you trying to power a small city?

 

[RogerD]

I'm either going to get 220ah or 235ah batteries.

Batteries plus in my area has a really good deal on the Duracell Ultra batteries. Also, If you order online and pick up at the store, you get an additional 10% off. The 220 ah batteries work out to $90 each plus tax. The 235 works out to $108.

I want to run a 5000 BTU AC for as long as possible in the summer. I'm in FL and it's too hot to not have AC.

Plus a fridge and laptop is a must as well.

 

[Riverman]

How are you going to keep these 8 batteries charged?

 

[RogerD]

Solar / generator

My plan is 5 160 watt panels and a 2000w generator.

If I can find 5 panels that will fit and are more than 160w, I will go with them.

 

[Moxadox]

What's the GVWR of your van? Remember that you will need to carry water, fuel, stuff, yourself, your tools, and whatever else you'll be hauling around. Overloading is asking for a blowout, a broken axle (done that), or other badness.

Escapees RV Club has a lot of info on weight distribution. They also have Smartweigh, a scales that measures each wheel separately. They have scales sprinkled around the country, and you can avail yourself of the service for a small fee.

https://www.escapees.com/education/smartweigh/

The Dire Wolfess

 

[John61CT]

The length and gauge of the intra-bank wires should all be the same.

The further the difference the bigger the gauge required, to the point can cost more than a new bank.

So all together, centered between the axles and low as possible would be best.

 

[Weight]

By experience, I discovered side to side weight-balance is more important than front to rear. So equalizing load on both rear tires rather than to one side. Electrical balance is a matter of heavy cables and proper crimped lugs.

 

[FeralBeaf]

It's been said already. But your rear axle is going to be your load bearing point. I'm currently designing a cargo trailer conversion....

for weight distribution..... I have a 25 gallon water tank. On the left side, just forward of the axle.....

on the right a 200Ah 12v battery bank, Just behind the axle they weigh out to approximately the same weight and will help offset each other and not increase the tongue weight exponentially

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[RogerD]

What's the GVWR of your van?  

Curb Weight 5645 lbs.
Gross Weight 8600 lbs.
Maximum Payload 2955 lbs.

 

[Canine]

By experience, I discovered side to side weight-balance is more important than front to rear. So equalizing load on both rear tires rather than to one side.

I've never heard of side-to-side weight being more important than front-to-back weight. I hate to say that to you, Weight, but this is a safety issue. If you can cite that beyond the empirical, that would be helpful.

 

[Weight]

I will put it this way, With a battery bank locate along the right side the van was 1 inch lower on that side, even with the water tanks balancing the left. It was harder to control on crowned roads or cross winds. After I changed the bank to be across the axial, side to side. The van sits even on its springs and by my experience seems to handle easier, and holds a true track. I know the rear tires are loaded evenly.