Dodge Xplorer Battery location

[JerrMan]

I wonder if anyone has a picture of the batteries under the hood. I can't for the life of me figure out how in the world did they get 2 batteries under the hood. Unless they were tiny little not good for much size. Mostly cause I wanted to see an original setup.

I'm thinking of relocating the camper battery to the rear compartment.
I'm just a lot concerned about it being in the same compartment as the converter.
There is just enough room for a large 12V . or possibly 2 small 6V.
Which is a better way to go?
We don't boondock so mostly it would be used to run the lights , fridge, and possibly the furnace for a short rest stay like at a Walmart over night.

Would it have to be an AGM battery? Because of gas build up?

My Dodge is a 1988 Xtra Van 222
360 motor

 

[BBQ-ClassB]

.

If you keep the battery in the van,
you should use AGM battery.
Because it does not gass.

However you can use flooded type battery
if you have a battery box and a vent that goes outside.

 

[JerrMan]

Humm so some of the battery boxes I looked at have a tube connector or a vent line connector on them and alls I would have to do is run a tube to the outside.? Sounds easy.

I already bought heavy wire to run to the rear of the camper.
I think I got 10 gauge wire and solder battery connector ends.
thanks

 

[cruising7388]

.

If you keep the battery in the van,
you should use AGM battery.
Because it does not gass.

However you can use flooded type battery
if you have a battery box and a vent that goes outside.

If it's lead acid and in the coach interior I think it has to be vented.

 

[JerrMan]

I think I'll start shopping for an 12v AGM and a battery box to put it in.

 

[machado11]

Hi Jerrman I have the same 1988 Dodge xplorer 360 engine . I have the two batt. under the hood on the drivers side . one is small thats near the fire wall , the other one is bigger that is right in front of it . I will take some pics. in the morning and send them to you .
John

 

[machado11]

Hi JerrMan , here are some pics. that mind look like I have the same 1988 Dodge Xplorer just a little different model The Bosch battery is the one in front , that one starts the engine and Generator. The small one in the back turns on the 12 volt lights and things, i guess thats what they call the house battery . Hope this will help.
John

 

[JerrMan]

Thank You . Yes Identical to mine. Thanks for posting them , Yes that does help.
I see now they did use a small starting battery, turned straight across. My over sized batt only fits length wise. That's why there's no room left.
In this case bigger is not better.
It seems I have created my own problem. As usual. I bought the biggest battery I could fit in the original spot. Now there's not enough room for a house/camper battery. For a time I did have a 20Ah lighting battery in there , tight fit and It didn't last long. Lasted 1 year then no good. It would run the interior lights all night.
Right now I'm looking at a 12V. 100Ah AGM. I might get it to fit. Otherwise I was going to relocate it to the rear compartment.
Thanks and Happy New Year.

 

[machado11]

Your welcome, Happy New Year to you and all, Being that we have the same type almost , if you have any questions Just ask. Take care.
John

 

[Ericv-ClassB]

My 88 Colored has the battery next to the converter, no problems. Recommend 12V deep cycle, hard to find 6v, plus even a large 12v is smaller than 2 6s. I plan to move my converter to under the bed, where the water pump is, move the battery to the main compartment and install a 4000watt generator in that space ( shoehorn needed) but I can be done, I'll putt it in thru the top by removing the bed plywood

 

[Richard E-ClassB]

Hi Jerrman I have the same 1988 Dodge xplorer 360 engine . I have the two batt. under the hood on the drivers side . one is small thats near the fire wall , the other one is bigger that is right in front of it . I will take some pics. in the morning and send them to you .
John

Can the smaller battery be a deep cycle type battery?

 

[machado11]

I can't see why not as long as it fits , I think my is i have to check and get back to you , Because the bigger one in front of that is the one that starts up the engine and the little one is the house battery.

 

[machado11]

Richard, I checked and it is not a deep cycle but i think you can use one if you like . Make sure first.

 

[Chuck-ClassB]

Have same 88 with same problem 4000 onan

I was gonna take out back door install bugger door never thought to go from top
Are you buildng a box for it ? How your gonna slide it out for service?

 

[Carlosocsc]

What model battery did you use for the smaller one? I just replaced the big car battery but mine came with no house battery so I’m really looking to see what should go In there