House battery location in Ford Econoline cargo van

[KeVan]

I've moved my 2 AGM 155 amp hour batteries several times and just can't seem to find the right set-up. So I'm moving them again. The location that works best for storage and ergonomics is on the driver's side, however that's the same location as the gas tank, storage cabinets and refrigerator.  My kitchen cabinet, sink and 16 gallons of water storage are located on passenger side.  The drivers side still far out weighs the passenger side. Anyone have suggestions on how important weight distribution is with 200extra pounds of batteries?
:huh:

 

[highdesertranger]

a 200lb difference from side to side it will not make a difference. highdesertranger

 

[SternWake]

I got a lot more weight drivers side too. I keep about 10 more PSI in driver's side ride rite helper spring air bag, and it handles well.

 

[666JTK666]

Are you the only person who is going to be in the van ? if yes Consider
removing the front passenger seat and placing your battery's there.
Advantages
shorter cable from your alternator to your bank.
allowes more space for other projects/storage whatever.


I am planning out a battery box design for 8 T 105's or lifeline AGM equivilants battery bank placed in the front passenger seat area.
The bank I will be starting out with will be 2 generic golf cart's from costco.

 

[KeVan]

I got a lot more weight drivers side too.  I keep about 10 more PSI in driver's side ride rite helper spring air bag, and it handles well.

Good advice. Thanks for the tip!

 

[KeVan]

Are you the only person who is going to be in the van ? if yes Consider
removing the front passenger seat and placing your battery's there.
Advantages
shorter cable from your alternator to your bank.
allowes more space for other projects/storage whatever.


I am planning out a battery box design for 8 T 105's or lifeline AGM equivilants battery bank placed in the front passenger seat area.
The bank I will be starting out with will be 2 generic golf cart's from costco.

That would be perfect if I didn't need passenger side seat.  I'm the only person, however I intend to use the seat with a swivel base.

 

[abnorm]

In the 70's..........On my early model Ford Econoline............I chopped a hole thu the floor at the side door................. and built a wooden battery-box/tool box from frame to body in that location under the van..........It required an awkward piano-hinged wood door in the slightly raised floor to cover the opening...............I considered the piece of carpet at the door "padding" for sitting in the open doorway doug

 

[breeze]

And a 'cargo' van is only a DMV legal 2-person vehicle. I don't want to make my van a one-person vehicle: that's what I have a motorcycle for, but that's also a DMV legal 2-person vehicle too. It takes planning to do it, but consolidating your van and keeping it a legal 2-person vehicle 'sounds' more logical anyway. Use Pareto logic: 20% of your items are 80% of value to you. Then make a relationship chart of all items to all items (the same items have an X relationship.)

If you have it weighted properly in relationships, then that is almost your layout, except you have a Z-dimension vertically, which is more important in High Roof vans, but still important regardless of what you drive. Don't forget Safety items relationships First, and travel paths frequencies (like direct access to bed without getting out of the van if possible  )