Weight Distribution

[BradKW]

I'm trying to decide on placement for my 600 lbs of battery bank, and figured I should go with conventional wisdom of centering the weight as close to axle as possible. Not exactly the spot I'd choose, but I can work with it.

Now that I have the batteries, I am playing around and found that putting them all directly behind passenger wheel well doesn't seem to effect the suspension at all. I'm measuring outside, from ground up to bottom of box at wheel well. When placed like that, all to rear side, both rear wells measure to within an 1/8" of each other. 

Can I conclude from this that the suspension on my E450 is strong enough that I can get away from following conventional wisdom regarding balancing? That would be convenient.

The other largest weight will be a 50gal fresh tank on opposite side, but between the axles...

 

[BradKW]

A related but off topic question: should I allow for space between batteries for heat/air circulation, or doesn't that matter? I peeked at some golf cart pics and they're all sandwiched tight...

 

[jimindenver]

I usually see them packed in too.

In the trailer I will put the batteries over a axle as to not affect the tongue weight. In a truck I think I'd want them centered between the axles to distribute the weight better. You won't notice a side to side imbalance until you are going around a curve.

 

[29chico]

Putting the batteries, or any heavy items, behind the rear axle will make your rig harder to recover control if you get onto slick surface and it starts to "wag it's tail" .  One of the concepts of vehicle dynamics is termed mass centralization and this means to get the majority of he weight closest to the center of the vehicle.  Studies have shown that mass centralization makes vehicles easier to control.  

What this means in your case is to put the heavy things, fridge and batteries just forward of the rear axle.  If possible I would put your fridge and the two T105's on one side of the box just forward of the rear axle and the four L16's directly across on the other side.

I would not worry too much about putting your batteries together so they touch.  Many folks crowd a whole lot more than 4 L16's together without problems.  I would be more concerned about putting the batteries over the exhaust system without insulation under them where they would soak up extra heat thru the floor.

 

[Trebor English]

Look for sturdy structures to attach them.

 

[speedhighway46]

Brad: I would locate a heavy load equally spaced in from each axle; behind the seats is probably close enough.

Don't know about space between, probably a good idea if you have the room. Just make sure to secure the bank so heavy braking or an accident won't tip them. I made a frame out of 1" angle to secure my four 6V deep cycles.

Enjoying your build pics.

 

[Almost There]

A related but off topic question: should I allow for space between batteries for heat/air circulation, or doesn't that matter? I peeked at some golf cart pics and they're all sandwiched tight...

I read somewhere on the Trojan site and can't find it right now - leave a space of about an inch all the way around the battery to allow for air flow.

It made sense to me, if they're packed in tight and it's hot, the hot air is not going to have anywhere to go.

I used pieces of 1x2 on their side to space my battery bank out and left the same gap at the back and front of the battery area.