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Newbie Lithium Battery Install

tanbonetanbone Member Posts: 2
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
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. 
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  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,506
    edited 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.
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler

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  • tanbonetanbone Member Posts: 2
    @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. 
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  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,506
    edited 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!


    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler

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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 4,146
    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.

    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.

    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. 


    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Yoshi_TABYoshi_TAB Member Posts: 471
    edited 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)




    2025 360 CS (awaiting delivery)
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
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