Where to install 2 new Renology 12v 100aH lithium iron phosphate batteries - under dinette seat inside van or external battery locker on Autotrail

[Langloan]

Hiya having two new lithiums fitted

Should I put them in the external battery locker where they may, in the UK winter, get cold or inside the van, where in France in the summer, they could easily go well over 30c

Locker I assume?

 

[Lenny HB]

Inside the van, thats where most batteries are fitted, I would never fit any battery in an outside locker..

 

[paddymcc]

Could you insulate the external locker so that the batteries are effectively within the warm envelope of the van? Where's the current battery?

 

[Lenny HB]

Could you insulate the external locker so that the batteries are effectively within the warm envelope of the van? Where's the current battery?

Insulation only reduces the rate of cooling, where as if they are inside the van & it's very cold you can turn the heating on before charging.

 

[Guigsy]

LFP batteries are in their healthy range all the way up to 45C and can safely operate up to 60C. As long as they're not in direct sunlight, it's unlikely you'll exceed that.

Inside would be better. But if you lose a bunch of useable space or end up with a rats nest of wiring to achieve it, I wouldn't bother.

Do the batteries have low temperature protection built in? Not all do.

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[Tombola]

Inside, and if needs be a little vent.
Dont worry about the batteries but maybe give some thought to keeping the inverter cooler. (assuming)

 

[Hoovie]

Inside the van, thats where most batteries are fitted, I would never fit any battery in an outside locker..

The Autotrail coachbuilts usually have the batteries in an external locker, below floor height and pretty well exposed to the elements (the low "lockers" on the Autotrails are sometimes (usally?) really open fronted cupboards with a opener as part of the sideskirt which is set away from the locker floor. e.g. my LPG "locker" has a 18" x 5" 'drop vent' )

This is where the pair of AGMs (!!! ) were fitted in my Autotrail when I bought it, but when I upgraded the batteries, I installed the new batteries under the bench seat directly above that locker - one reason amongst a few being I was not too convinced about the strength of the locker floor.
I would NEVER fit Lithium Batteries in one of those Autotrail battery lockers unless it was a battery with Internal heaters AND even then I would likely still make some kind of front to enclose the batteries to prevent wind-chill type effect which I imagine could be quite significant in Winter driving along at say 60MPH?

(The "battery locker" has now been repurposed as my motorhome tool shed and is perfect for that and saves carrying those inside so a real win-win )

 

[Pausim]

Remember with LiPo it is only below freezing charging that is a problem, their cold weather performance for supplying power is better than lead acid. I would still site them inside.

 

[Jev88]

Most RV's I have seen have leisure battery bank in an external / underslung locker or under the main entrance steps. Some also have them up front behind the front grill!

 

[Guigsy]

Wind chill only effects sweaty things above ambient temperature.

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