Mounting a Battery Inside The Rig. Any real downsides??

[Boston Mangler]

Ok

About to install my dual bat system. Going to be running a 60qt Engel and a big power inverter, so i am going with the big daddy Odyssey 2150.

Its damn near impossible to mount this thing under the hood of the 100 series, so i am planning on mounting it inside the vehicle in a custom built drawer system setup in the rearmost cargo area.

Aside from taken up a good chunk of valuable space, anyone have any good reasons why it shouldnt be mounted INSIDE a vehicle??

It will of course, be mounted very securely!

I read in another thread some bats emit gasses, but i think the sealed AGM's like the Odysseys dont.

Any input? Thanks

 

[100 TD]

Personally I have no problems fitting an AGM battery inside a vehicle compartment.
However..........
I would consider all possible external locations before mounting inside.......
above spare wheel, between side steps and chassis rails, inplace of spare wheel if it is mounted on a rear wheel carrier.
If you don't have a rear airconditioner there may be some space in there, not sure how much.

If you mount it inside "I" would enclose it with open cell 1" foam (fire resistant if possible) and preferably in a plastic container of some description.
The reason, once you "fit this battery in" and build around it, you are never going to go back and check it etc.
The container will stop any acid spills if it ever cracks, the foam will absorb any acid or acid fumes.

Fit a 200 amp fuse directly to the battery terminal before any circuits (in or out) are connected to it.
Also fit a 200 amp fuse under the bonnet feeding the cable supply to this battery.
My thoughts only, please seek professional advice

 

[Boston Mangler]

Thanks 100TD Much Appreciated!

 

[100 TD]

I'm currently thinking of fitting a couple of smaller batteries (in parallel) under the vehicle near chassis rails/steps. Probably something like these Marathon M12V90F batteries. (actually probably 2 x 45 Ah, I each side) I already have 2 of these 90 Ah (actually 100 Ah due to their specs being rated at 8 hours not the standard 20 hour rate) for my camper trailer. Unfortunately the bottom left link (of the page linked below) doesn't have full specs on it like I have previously downloaded and saved. I can supply these if requested. Its dimensions ar 12.05 x 6.85 x 8.8 and weigs 72 kg, you would have to chase a price up to compare with Odyssey.
Brands > Marathon

 

[hoser]

Boston, I was and still am considering the 2150. The price is hard to swallow though. From my rough measurements, I thought it had a good chance of fitting the stock location. The tight spot being the height. What were your findings?

IMO, I'd much rather mount it outside of the passenger area just for space savings. If we could only get the Aussie/Middle Eastern spec airboxes, we'd be able to mount 3 batteries in the LC (underhood) and two in the LX.

 

[100 TD]

Boston, I was and still am considering the 2150. The price is hard to swallow though. From my rough measurements, I thought it had a good chance of fitting the stock location. The tight spot being the height. What were your findings?

IMO, I'd much rather mount it outside of the passenger area just for space savings. If we could only get the Aussie/Middle Eastern spec airboxes, we'd be able to mount 3 batteries in the LC (underhood) and two in the LX.

Les,

For 180 plus shipping I think you better visit this post again
IH8MUD.com Forum - View Single Post - what size battery

 

[Boston Mangler]

Les,

For 180 plus shipping I think you better visit this post again
IH8MUD.com Forum - View Single Post - what size battery

Lets not get this going into another battery rant, but, personally, i wouldnt touch an optima with a 10ft pole, but that is just my opinion, I, as well as several others have had horrible luck with them.

I know, i know, there are some folks that have them for 20 yers with no issues, i am just stating my experience.

Read this thread: What brand deep cell do I want? - Expedition Portal Forums

I STRONGLY feel that the battery/power system is the one area of the truck that would NOT be skimped on whatsoever! I use my rig soley for trips to far away places where AAA doesnt go, and i feel strongly that while Optima might offer a great warranty, that warranty doesnt amount to a hill of beans when your 400 miles from anywhere!

Again, lets stay on topic!

 

[hoser]

Thanks Fellas. As far as whether a Group 31 battery will fit the stock location, Norcal '99 has fitted a Lifeline GPL-3100T in the stock location of his 100.

The Lifeline GPL-3100T dimensions are as follows:
12.86" x 6.58" x height 9.27" (including terminals)

The Odyssey 2150:
13" x 6.8" x height 9.41" (including terminals)

Optima D31A:
12.8" x 6.5" x 9.38"

So basically, they should all physically fit. The only difference is the Lifeline terminals are placed towards one side and the others have terminals towards the center. There might be a different model within the line that changes the terminal location though. Haven't looked.

 

[ginericLC]

Kevin,

Have you considered under the truck? A fab friend of mine was struggling with dual batteries for a JK. I showed him the big cavity under my old 80 between the frame and slider. It is an excellent spot. Out of the way, with 1/4" plate mount it is protected, makes use of an otherwise unuseable space. I wish I could take credit for this idea but it was Mark Hawley who designed the sliders for the 80 with a mount, his original intention was to be able to put an air tank for OBA but it works well for a battery too. Closer to the alternator, not as long of a run of heavy guage wire, etc...

On the Optimas I had one that has not been able to be killed. It was purchased in 1998. Since then almost everyone I know who has had one has had problems. I think they cheapened them when they started selling them at chain stores. Because of their problems I've been hesitant to purchase one again.

 

[calamaridog]

Kevin,

That seems like a long run to me. What gauge wire are you planning and where the heck are you running it?

Do you have the battery? Will it fit the Slee Battery Tray if you move that bracket out of the way? Someone did that recently for a 1700...

 

[Boston Mangler]

Kevin,That seems like a long run to me. What gauge wire are you planning and where the heck are you running it?

Scott from Mobi-Arc calced that a 2 gauge wire would see almost no voltage drop so that is what i will run!

Do you have the battery?

Picking it up this week

Will it fit the Slee Battery Tray if you move that bracket out of the way?

Not a chance!

Someone did that recently for a 1700...

I am running a PC2150

 

[calamaridog]

Too bad I'm not going home for awhile, I have about 50 feet of quality 2 gauge in the garage. Buy a race style battery box and bolt it down in the back then. And stop asking questions when you already know the answers

 

[Boston Mangler]

Buy a race style battery box and bolt it down in the back then.

There is ZILCH available like that for the 2150

And stop asking questions when you already know the answers

Seriously curious if there are any known issues from mounted it inside, no i dont know the answer!

 

[calamaridog]

Brand: Summit
Product Line: Summit Premium Battery Boxes
Part Type: Battery Boxes
Part Number: SUM-G1231
Battery Quantity: Single
Box Material: Plastic
Box Finish: Black
Length (in): 13.500 in.
Width (in): 9.250 in.
Height (in): 11.000 in.
Sealed: Yes
Cable Included: No
Hold-Down Included: Yes
Quantity: Sold individually.
Notes: Drilling the battery box for cable and vent tube entry is required. NHRA and IHRA approved when installed according to the sanctioning bodies rules. Inside dimensions are approximately: L- 10.75 in.; W - 8.5 in.; H- 9 in.

Battery Box, Plastic, Black, 13 1/2 in. Length x 9 1/4 in. Width x 11 in. Height, Each

Premium protection for your battery.
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Summit SUM-G1231 - Summit Premium Battery Boxes - summitracing.com

You could even vent it fairly easily I would think. Don't know if you would need to or not? Call Odyssey and ask perhaps?

 

[Boston Mangler]

Good Find Brian! Havent seen those!

Curious how/what they mount to, if they are plastic and have metal tie downs!

Thanks for the link, this looks promising!

 

[lx450landcruiser]

could try here

 

[Tinkerer]

Installing the battery in the vehicle interior?

Assuming the Odyssey battery will never leak or vent so much as a molecule of lead-acid/hydrogen liquid/fumes in service (I'm skeptical), there is still the issue of the battery mass itself.

If it comes loose in the interior during a high-speed accident (crash) event, it will do some serious damage to whatever is in its path. If it hits someone in the head in such event, the operative phrase is "decapitation".

 

[Boston Mangler]

If it comes loose in the interior during a high-speed accident (crash) event, it will do some serious damage to whatever is in its path. If it hits someone in the head in such event, the operative phrase is "decapitation".

Thanks, and you have very valid points. I fabricated 2 totally custom battery mounts (trying to find pics)for the race truck (80 series land cruiser) and we had (2) Odyssey 925s installed. Long story short, truck barrell rolled down a 700ft cliff, batteries didnt budge!

I feel i can pull this off safely from that standpoint.

I was more curious about the gases, i am going to go for it! At least one of my windows is open all the time anyway!

 

[Robert B]

I doubt that there is any issue raised by mounting the battery inside the vehicle. I have sail boat with 3 4D batteries under the stairs that go from the cockpit to the saloon. Many people mount additional batteries under the bed in the rear cabin as well.

 

[mudlover]

Does the diesel version come with two batteries? If so you could look into where they are mounted and buy or fabricate the mount. I did this on my chevy truck and was able to buy the second tray from the dealer and bolt on for $12.