Newbie Lithium Battery Install

tanbone · May 18

I have poured through the forum, and I realize I may not know even how to search for my question, so a million apologies- I am sure the answer already exists.

I have a 2018 Tab. I switched to a lithium battery last summer and would move the battery in and out of the front storage container. I placed a solar charge control under the sink. I want to move the battery inside, but I am at a loss on how to get the connections inside. Should I disassemble the battery disconnect that's located on the front (in the front storage) and place it inside by drawing the wiring through? Another idea I had was to leave the battery disconnect where it is and splice longer wires from the battery connections and run those to the interior. The goal is to put the battery somewhere inside, under the seats.

If you know of any step-by-step process that someone else has posted, or know of any keywords I should think of while looking, I would be GREATLY indebted to you. I definitely feel like I have a lot of unknown unknowns.

AnOldUR · May 18

I apologize for answering a question with a question, but what is your reason for wanting to move your battery inside? In my view, winter camping is the only thing that would justify it. Even then, a lithium battery can supply power down to around zero and be charged at temperatures just above freezing. Most of the batteries today have management systems to prevent damage from working outside the batteries operating range. For our camping style, the inside storage is of more benefit than the remote chance that the conditions above may eventually causing a loss of power.

tanbone · May 18

@AnOldUr That's a good question. For me, it's a matter of safe keeping and keeping the battery out of the elements. Also, I live in a cold climate and aspire to use the battery in the winter. We have the plastic blue box on the front, which is completely exposed to the elements, and can't be locked well.

AnOldUR · May 18

If cold weather camping conditions are severe enough then bringing the battery inside makes a lot of sense. Personally, we swapped out the plastic tub for a truck box that can be locked and our two LiFePO4's are hidden under a tray inside that box. For us, that was a better use of funds and space than a rewiring mod. We each have our own priorities. Best of luck with the project!

pthomas745 · May 18

Most all lithium batteries these days have "low temperature charging protection" that would prevent damage from charging when the batteries are below freezing. There are other ways to protect the battery from reaching below freezing, also. (Note: it is not the air temperature that is the issue: it is the temperature inside the battery that is the concern.)

Owners have moved the 320 batteries inside. Trying to fish a wire from the tub to inside the trailer is very difficult, but has been done, but needs the patience and steady hand of a surgeon. Another way is to run the wiring under the trailer, along the frame, above the coroplast.

Try this thread.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/18075/moving-battery-inside-on-a-2023-320s-boondock

Here is another. If you have the skills, you can do what you need to do with the battery switch, even moving it inside. Lots of smart owners can help with this.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/133523#Comment_133523

PS: in the long run...it may be easier to secure the battery in the front tub. My tub has a lock. Or you can find various straps and battery tie downs that can make it difficult to remove.

Yoshi_TAB · May 18

Hi,

There are pros/cons to move the battery inside. If you desire to move the battery inside, it can easily be done without cutting holes in TAB or fishing wires. The battery wire from your WFCO runs exterior to the the trailer junction box and then to the battery compartment (top diagram in attachment)

With this known, you can splice into the very same wire (inside) , put your battery in via an ON/OFF switch. You still need to run power to the junction box since this supplies power to the E-brakes. This is easily done using a busbar and the same wire that goes exterior to the junction box (lower diagram)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/zd/3g420lh797lb.jpg

Kiosk · May 23

Fyi We have two Li batters in the front box and have simple pad lock to deter the opportunistic thief, we also have rv insurance. They have worked perfectly for 3 yrs, including driving thru and camping during Arctic blast in montana on our way to ny. We never run out of power and rarely go to electric sites. We live in wa state.

tanbone · May 24

Thanks so much for the feedback, everyone! Sorry for the late reply. Last two weeks of school is beast....

tanbone · May 24

@Kiosk That's good to know. I live in CO, so not so insane as MO arctic blasts. I think the front box upgrade is more sensible than running wires everywhere inside, as @AnOldUR
also mentioned.

Bayliss · May 29

@tanbone, if you review the second discussion thread provided by @pthomas745, you will see that I did exactly what you are seeking to accomplish. In my 2019 320 S, the positive and negative wires run directly into the compartment under the driver's side interior bench seat. It was a very simple process. If you know the basics of electrical wiring, and are familiar with using a multimeter, you just need to confirm (trace) which wires are which inside the bench compartment. Hopefully, the photographs and drawings I included in that post will help.

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

Newbie Lithium Battery Install

Comments