Golf cart batteries under the hood -DONE !

Hello, Sprinter box owners . I just finished my project with installing two golf cart batteries in engine compartment . The cables are 4/0 , the inverter is under passenger seat and it is Sima stp- 3000 . The system works just awesome . I have a lot of pictures , but I am not good at working with computers.

4wheels said:

Hello, Sprinter box owners . I just finished my project with installing two golf cart batteries in engine compartment . The cables are 4/0 , the inverter is under passenger seat and it is Sima stp- 3000 . The system works just awesome . I have a lot of pictures , but I am not good at working with computers.

Click to expand...

Sounds Excellent! I know we would all like to see the pics though.....

Bob

4wheels said:

Hello, Sprinter box owners . I just finished my project with installing two golf cart batteries in engine compartment . The cables are 4/0 , the inverter is under passenger seat and it is Sima stp- 3000 . The system works just awesome . I have a lot of pictures , but I am not good at working with computers.

Click to expand...

I am considering doing the same, I made a cardboard mark-up using the dimensions of two AGM2000 6V batteries placed side to side, and I could not fit into existing axillary battery tray in engine compartment.

https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?p=169867#post169867

Would be very curious as to your approach. I would dearly love to place batteries in engine compartment and inverter under passenger seat as you have done.

FYI, I used www.photobucket.com to organize and upload pictures to web.

At first ,I used a box from Amsoil oil which has the same size as two 6v golf batteries , and there was just no room . Then I was thinking to mount them underneath , between rear axle and spare tire , but after playing with that idea for a few days , I had to say no-no . Then I was thinking about mounting one battery in place of my AUX battery and another battery under cabin filter ... Then I started to play with that big main computer , which is under AUX battery . On first day I only touched it with my hand - nothing happened , the Sprinter was working . Then I unscrewed it and was holding in my hands , thinking to move it somewhere , then I got scared and put it back , for a week .

Then I was thinking , ok if I will kill it will I be upset ? Yes . More than that . Can I buy another one , if I will burn this one ? Yes . Is it expensive ? O yes . Can I afford it in that case ? Well I will have no choice

So I unscrewed it and I was treating it badly - I was shaking it , twisting it , pulling those wires very hard , I was just do not care - Nothing happened !! Started the van - it works , no codes . Am I crazy , I was asking myself ? http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/DSC00028.jpg

http://s1072.photobu

Well , now I have some pics on photobucket , so one more step and I will learn how to attach them here

final result http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00061.jpghttp://s1072.photobu


300 amp fuse marine rated

http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00060.jpg

computer mounted underneath


http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00063.jpg


4/0 welding cables http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00053.jpg


Inverter 3000 watts , works very well with my roof AC , does not even turn on the cooling fan on inverter



http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00058-1.jpg

Just cut it out !http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00041.jpg


Yahoooo I figured it out!!

I have some more pictures , will post them later

hmmm, doesn't that inverter have a cooling fan on the side butted against the seat pedestal?

is there any ventilation on that side?? even some holes drilled in the seat base for air movement?

dodger413 said:

hmmm, doesn't that inverter have a cooling fan on the side butted against the seat pedestal?

is there any ventilation on that side?? even some holes drilled in the seat base for air movement?

Click to expand...

There is some room between that fan an the seat base , so there is a lot of air . And I do not put back that black foam cover . When inverter is working with my Dometic Roof AC , the Fan DOES NOT kick in . I have to test it with like 2000 watt load

From the pictures it looks like you discarded the OEM tray and made a new battery tray. I assume you lowered the tray to accommodate the 2 batteries as well as using the existing threaded attachment locations in the side wall. It also looks like you had to lower the computer. How is that secured?

Al

http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view¤t=DSC00021.jpg

ajm3s said:

From the pictures it looks like you discarded the OEM tray and made a new battery tray. I assume you lowered the tray to accommodate the 2 batteries as well as using the existing threaded attachment locations in the side wall. It also looks like you had to lower the computer. How is that secured?

Al

Click to expand...

Yes I made a new battery tray and my OEM battery tray is now in my garage . I had driven with this system for a week and everything is tight . I will just add a plastic cover on the top of the batteries , in case if my son (or me ) will drop a metal wrench .
Yes the computer is lowered and sits on a 1x6 painted in black secured by screws . Nothing is in the way , I still can change light bulb . http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00023.jpg

http://http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00021.jpg

http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00020.jpg

more pics to follow..
can help anyone with installation ( Kalifornia , Sakkkramento)

Interested in selling your old tray, and mounting hardware? PM me.

Thanks

4wheels said:

http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view¤t=DSC00021.jpg Yes I made a new battery tray and my OEM battery tray is now in my garage . I had driven with this system for a week and everything is tight . I will just add a plastic cover on the top of the batteries , in case if my son (or me ) will drop a metal wrench .
Yes the computer is lowered and sits on a 1x6 painted in black secured by screws . Nothing is in the way , I still can change light bulb . http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00023.jpg

http://http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00021.jpg

http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00020.jpg

more pics to follow..
can help anyone with installation ( Kalifornia , Sakkkramento)

Click to expand...

inverter under the seat http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00074.jpg

a lot of air around http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00075.jpg

2 1/2 inch to front wall of the seat base http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00078.jpg

http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00079.jpg

Wires to AC http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00076.jpg

inverter front view http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00077.jpg

Power bank voltage in the morning , two days no driving http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00080.jpg

Will have some tea , 1750 watts of load , ( inverter says max 1500 watt per one outlet )http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00081.jpg

a heavy work http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00082.jpg

voltage , when working http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00083.jpg

It is ready to drink http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00084.jpg

will drive to Napa store in 5 minutes http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00086.jpg

and voltage after http://s1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/volynhuta/?action=view&current=DSC00089.jpg

4Wheels

I have a 2012 2500 144 and am planning to add the dometic peguin II 11,500 unit in the back. quick question Did you connect the inverter directly to the aux battery in the engin compartment, or to the relay system under the seat?

Thanks Sidecar

I connected my inverter directly to those AUX batteries in engine compartment , using two welding cables . You will need 20 ft cable to do this project , if you will mount inverter under passenger seat .

I just want to tell that after using it for a month now , I really like how it works . It cools the van really fast , ( even on 1 st speed ) and I live in California ( so far we only had like 96 F )

The 220amps alternator charges that power bank with no problem.

Use 10 awg wire from inverter to AC ---- NO LESS

4wheels said:

Yes I made a new battery tray and my OEM battery tray is now in my garage . I had driven with this system for a week and everything is tight . I will just add a plastic cover on the top of the batteries , in case if my son (or me ) will drop a metal wrench.

Click to expand...

4wheel, can you add a couple pictures or tell what you did for your battery tray? I saw one picture but the other ones were deleated off photobucket. The setup looks good

Hi Mike, I sure would like to see your installation pictures. When I click the photbucket link, it says the pictures have been moved. Any place we can see them? Are you still happy with your install? We like to dry camp, and the group 49 battery size, just does not give us enough amp hour capability. I live in North Bay, not too far from Sacramento--would you consider doing a similar install for me?

Thanks,
Roger

Here's a couple which I re-sized.





vic

rharshaw said:

Hi Mike, I sure would like to see your installation pictures. When I click the photbucket link, it says the pictures have been moved. Any place we can see them? Are you still happy with your install? We like to dry camp, and the group 49 battery size, just does not give us enough amp hour capability. I live in North Bay, not too far from Sacramento--would you consider doing a similar install for me?

Thanks,
Roger

Click to expand...

I am still happy with my install . We do dry camp and my setup is awesome for that . I sent you a PM about doing a similar install for you .

Hi - interested in doing a setup like yours... are you aware of any aftermarket battery trays available for me to do something similar ? or a schematic for getting the trays fabricated ? Also, looks like the links to your photos don't work anymore ?

thanks much !
Chad

casmith32 said:

Hi - interested in doing a setup like yours... are you aware of any aftermarket battery trays available for me to do something similar ? or a schematic for getting the trays fabricated ? Also, looks like the links to your photos don't work anymore ?

thanks much !
Chad

Click to expand...

I sold my 08 Sprinter and now I have 2014 . I was going to do the same install , but I had 2 brand new Trojan T-105 RE batteries - and they are like one inch taller and they do Not fit , the hood will almost touch the terminals .
I bought a tray from Hein and I am very happy with it . The tray is mounted under the van , in front of the rear pass. wheel . There is also my pure sine inverter .

The hardest part of that under hood install setup - is to relocate the ECU .
The tray was welded in my garage .
You will need 20 ft welding cable . I had 4/0 .
I have to say that it is much easier to work in engine compartment VS under the van