Leisure electrics in Autosleeper - Another request for a little bit of measuring

SantaHul

SantaHul

0
Does anybody know the dimensions of the long narrow compartment underneath the back of the sofas in the Autosleeper? My van has extremely basic electrics, doesn't even have a leisure battery. I want to install a DC-DC charger and wondering if a Victron Orion 30a and Multiplus 1200 would fit in there. I know cooling would be an issue but think I could put some ventilation in too.

The Orion is fairly small, 90mm thick so I don't think it will be a problem.
The Multiplus is 101mm thick, 249mm wide and 375mm wide. That might be more difficult.

Basically, does anybody know how deep and wide it is? Or even have a photo so I can guesstimate?

Also interested to know where anybody else has put these bits.
 
Will this do? it's in the Downloads section on the homepage

1715708087868.png

I took the measurements from mine. Measurements seem to be in mix of cms and mm:rolleyes:

Downloads

Documents for the comemr including free Commer Manual
www.commervanfan.co.uk www.commervanfan.co.uk

This pic might be of some use too

n6xrLW4.jpg
 
Thanks Panky. That confirms the height is 290mm so should just be big enough for the Multiplus which is 275mm. Taking a rough guess off those photos I think I should have space.
 
I just put a battery under the sofa and linked it to the vehicle battery with a split charger thing so it cuts out so vehicle doesn’t drain leisure and visa versa. I then put a fuze and switch panel and wired it all up.
 
I’m going for a lithium leisure battery which is a bit more complicated as it has a different charging profile. You can use a split charger but it would considerably reduce the lifespan of the battery.

My van has a spot for the leisure battery behind the drivers seat. Trying to use the space as efficiently as I can though.
 
Ha yeah I know. I rarely have access to the van at the moment so I spend all my time working things out instead.

I don’t think it’s too difficult though. Just need a DC-DC charger instead of a split charge relay. More expensive but it should also last a lot longer (theoretically).
 
Is the life of a lithium battery better? I also don’t have a lithium suitable battery charger. Mind you they are a lot lighter though. :)
 
Yeah apparently they’re potentially good for decades (assuming normal campervan use). Also you can use about 90% of the stored power compared to 50% with a lead acid battery.

It’s nothing to lose sleep over but if I’m building everything from scratch I may as well make it as modern and future proof as I can.
 
Ah I didn’t know that. That certainly makes a big difference. My battery’s job is realistically there just to add weight and lower the fuel economy lol as it’s just a phone charger and I turn the lights on occasionally. I have a rechargeable reading light which is used more.
 
I’m still not sure what I’m going to be using most in the van tbh. But we’d like to be able to wild camp and clock up some serious miles on the continent. I’m planning for everything.
 
Out of curiosity, how do you think they should be looked after? I was just going to fully isolate mine. I have a trickle charger and a solar charger too. I might plug the solar charger in if I can get the cigarette lighter working.
 
I just disconnect it over the winter and leave it on the rest of the time. It only charges off the alternator and doesn't lead a stressful life - just lighting now and then and phone charging. It's been under the seat for about five years without a problem.
 
I put all my batteries in my workshop over the winter and give them a trickle charge 2or 3 times over the winter, I’m still using a leisure battery off our camper 8 years now and it only gets charged with our solar panel through the summer !, there’s a myth about not storing batteries on concrete floors but mine have never suffered. I can’t comment on smart chargers really because I had one but heard good things about them looking after motorbike batteries
 
My batteries stay connected in the van. They are pretty well charged before winter. I then charge them before the first outing. I have had mine about 7 years.
 
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