Dual / second battery in cargo bay wing
 

Has anyone done a 2nd battery tray in the cargo bay wing area as a clean install? That's where I want my 2nd battery located, tucked in so it doesn't eat into cargo area.

To fit my air-compressor in the other cargo wing, I made a sheet-metal shelf with metal tabs that allow attaching it to a number of existing bolts including the seatbelt anchor. But to hold the weight of a battery secure, it needs to be a lot beefier and am looking for ideas of how to construct / truss / brace it.

I found only a single photo online that's like my idea, but no idea how this is built... Anyone got ideas or seen something like this fab'd?

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...519d43bc10.png

Yupp, I did.

I did put my battery into a so called Range bag, made of Codura Nylon.
That has the advantage of looking clean. The battery box is to bulky and fugly.
I decided against a permanent install because of the additional weight
(Spare tire also removed).
I'm using quick disconnect battery poles so the battery can be removed within seconds when not used.
The battery itself is so heavy it does not move during normal use. I can (and do use battery straps when neccessary. The factory tie down points are not strong enough and simply riveted into the sheet metal.

I mounted my aux battery in a custom made box that gets bolted into a frame that supports my drawers and fridge slides etc, it is connected to the car via and anderson plug so it's removable.

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/...sor_resize.jpg

I mounted mine on the passenger side to help counter-act the drivers side lean..

The last thing you want is your batteyr moving about so make sure it's secured properly AND fused at both ends of the cable, this is often overlooked...

I have a dual battery controller mounted in the recess behind the spare tyre and am currently experimenting with a DC-DC charger.
My wiring to the front is done with 35mm2 cable directly to the alternator, which IMHO is by far more suitable then connecting to the starting battery....

My OP on this was going on for 2 years ago and I've embarrassingly made no progress on it (...broken/repaired plenty of other bits in the meantime though!). I didn't thank for the replies - some excellent advice there re. factory tie-downs, weight distrib, double-fusing, 35mm2 etc.

I still can't work out how best to fabricate enough strength / mounting points in the cargo wing to support weight of a battery. It's all pretty weak back there.
Anyone care to share ideas of how to do it?

A base made out of angle would be the go, braced to the frame below the side window using sandwich plates etc wouldn't be hard, at least you don't have any serious terrain in the UK to contend with....

Ham and cheese?

I have seen it done so not impossible.

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...2ddb6244b3.jpg