adding additional battery box - safety question

[timsdomain]

Hello, forgive me if this has been covered before but....
I want to add an additional leisure battery to my motorhome (chausson), the existing battery is in a box that is under slung through the floor in a box, underneath one of the side seats, i would like to add another in parallel but don’t want to cut another hole in the floor (there isn’t room either) Is it Ok to add another battery in a battery box fitted to the floor in the Van under the seat and connected to the existing one? Or it this against regulations/guidance/the law etc?
Any advise is appreciated
Thanks
Tim

 

[maingate]

Hi Tim and welcome to the forum,

Yes you should be able to do it but there are a few things to bear in mind.

Ideally batteries should be matched in age and size. That would mean that if your present one is old, it would be best to buy 2 new ones. if it is fairly new, then get the same size and type, ie lead/acid, gel, or whatever.

Your batteries need to be able to be close to each other and you will be better off with fairly heavy cable between them. I have never needed to do this but there may be additional info on the following websites.

www.marcleleisure.co.uk
www.motts.org

Hope this helps.

 

[timsdomain]

Thank you that's good, i was just concerned about whether it is ok to have the battery in the living quarters (in a box) i will look at the wiring advice and make sure i do it right!
cheers
Tim

 

[David & Ann]

Hi, Main gate has given you the correct advice. All I can add is that it is okay to have your battery in the living area. I have 3 x 110AH batteries, 2 under the 2nd dining area under the seats and the 3rd just outside the seat which is less than a foot away. I just screwed down a wooden frame to hold the 3rd battery in place. Use heavy duty Red and Black wire for your connection. Just bridge the new one to the existing one. As Maingate said, have both batteries of similar age and size.

 

[timsdomain]

perfect - thanks