Best Aux Battery for Under Rear Seat with Heater Delete

[gregaz]

Guys, I just did a bunch of searching, and while there are a million thread about aux batteries, I didn't see a specific answer to this question -

I just removed my under the rear bench heater, and have TONS of space. If space was no issue - what is the best battery to use back there?

I have been using a Group 27 Wal-Mart battery (also under the rear seat), but it keeps dying every two years, so I'd like something that is actually quality.

THANK YOU!

[ThankYouJerry]

How long a battery (or batteries) last is heavily determined by:

1. How far you discharge them.
2. How you charge them.
3. Maintenance and temperature.

That being said, you will get more amp hours running two batteries in parallel but their longevity will still be determined by the above.

I'll post a photo of my dual aux batteries under the bench later. They are Napa Group 65 AGM batteries. So far so good, but I've only had them about 1yr. They replaced DieHard Platinum group 65 AGM (NLA) which lasted about 3 years with lots of abuse.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[Howesight]

I still have my under-seat heater, but I used the Trojan SCS 200 deep cycle. It is a Group 27 physical size flooded lead-acid type.

I used the location under the Westfalia bench seat hard against the passenger side of that space. To fit that space, since the rear bulkhead is sloped, I had to lift the battery about 1.5" which I did using a piece of 2x8 lumber cut to fit. I also fabricated a sheet metal steel bracket to hold the battery in place and a top made from a kitchen cutting board to keep anything metal from accidentally shorting against the terminals. This battery has been quite good for me.

This location was chosen because:

1. it counter-balances the driver's weight;
2. it allows for the Group 27 and, if you choose, a larger type also;
3. it is the closest location to the starter, which is where your AWG 1 cable should connect to get the least voltage drop to the alternator.

I would also recommend, if your engine is stock, installing an upgraded voltage regulator for the Vanagon alternator. (See this link: http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Adjustable-Voltage-Re...lator.htm) The factory regulator puts out around 13.5 volts (IIRC) whereas the Trojan likes to be charged at 14.8 volts. If you choose this battery, fine, but if you choose another, get the manufacturer's specs for charging as these batteries all have differing charging regimes that the manufacturers have tested extensively.

Here are some pics of my installation and a link to the Trojan spec sheet for this SCS 200:

http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/datasheets/SCS200_Trojan_Data_Sheets.pdf

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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[Ahwahnee]

'Best' is somewhat subjective depending on how you plan to use it, but this is what I use:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Group-Size-24DC-Marine-Battery/20531540

Also made (though possibly n/a/ at W-M) are group 27 & 29.

Generally in that application I would think a deep cycle battery is a good choice. If what you have had bad luck with is a standard starting battery then repeated deep discharge may be what killed it.

[iliketowalk]

Depends on what your parameters are.

If you're looking to hang out for 3-7 days without having to start the van, and maybe you run a heater and have a fridge, you can't beat a pair of 6v golf cart batteries. $180 or so for the pair, heavy duty and you'll get more than 100ah of usable battery (assuming 50% depth of discharge). You can buy these at Costco, Walmart, or any battery supplier.

On our first van (fridge, interior lights and stereo) we went group 24dc, with 120w solar panel. That will pretty much run indefinitely because the fridge alone isn't a huge load, and the solar is more than sufficient.

On our current van (fridge, interior lights, stereo and espar heater) I went with a group 31dc and 100w (2 x 50w) of flexible panels (permanently installed). The heater adds a considerable amount of usage, and it's typically during the night, in the winter (low solar gain). With this setup we can go about 3 days without having to start the van. This is in the winter, using the heater (cycling) about 10 hours a day, with quite a big of light usage. In retrospect I would've forgone the solar and just gone with the dual golf cart batteries. It's cheaper, it's simpler, and [for us] it's rare that we'd stay somewhere for more than a week without starting the van and driving somewhere.

The golf cart batteries are also known to be "heavy duty" and used in small/medium sized PV installations. If they're cared for and not drawn below 50-60%, they can last anywhere from 5-10 years.
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1986 Weekender "Birch"

[ThankYouJerry]

[iliketowalk]

[ThankYouJerry]

[mugford]

I'm also using a Propex and an Arb 50 but rather than have them fight each other I'm creating an external
aux 12v power outlet so I can leave the fridge outside. More space inside as well. Anyone else doing this?

Brian

[iliketowalk]

[iliketowalk]

This would be my recommended aux battery setup:

6 volt golf cart batteries (200ah) - 2 x $100 = $200
Blue Seas mACR or ACR - $50-100
Blue Seas Fuse Block w/ Negative Bus - $50
Victron BMV-700 monitor with shunt - $175
Fuses, wiring, etc - $150

Total (roughly) - $675

You'd have a minimum of 100ah of capacity (50% depth of discharge), and a way to monitor and alert on that precisely.

Adding solar would be easy, but realistically most people probably wouldn't need to unless planning on spending 3+ days without running the engine, with significant loads (fridge, heater, etc)
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1986 Weekender "Birch"

[baltik]

Howesight - what is the blue ring around the terminals of the circuit breaker? did it come with that?

[ThankYouJerry]

[iliketowalk]

[dobryan]

[mtnride1]

I like my extra storage space after removing the rear heater and I have a 160ah battery mounted under my sliding door and still have one under drivers seat. Very happy with it.
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87 westy 2wd (NED)

[gregaz]

[kourt]

Mighty Max 200Ah 12v SLA AGM:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=660592

kourt

[ThankYouJerry]

^^^ That battery looks sweet! But 114 lbs !!!
How did you lift it under your bench seat without breaking a few fingers and throwing out your back?
How did you secure it?
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[gregaz]

My big fear is spending $350 and having it last a year.