Driver Seat Swivel Base

[markopolo]

Lots of factory built B vans come with the option to swivel the two front seats to face the rear of the van. It really increases the living area and makes the camper van more useable. My B+ didn't have that option so I added a swivel to the passenger seat: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...php?f=33&t=641

My custom B camper van had a swivel on the passenger seat but it did not have one on the driver's seat. I had previously removed a swivel base from another van I owned and decided to install it under the driver's seat in my current Class B van. This van has an auxiliary chassis batter behind the driver's seat for the diesel motor. I had to raise the swivel to allow the seat to turn. I bought a piece of steel tube from Princess Auto and cut two pieces to fit under the swivel. The steel cost $20. It was double the thickness of the steel I saw in hardware stores like Home Depot. I had some silver hammer finish spray paint so I used it. I love using leftover stuff.........

The swivel added 1 3/8" and steel tube added another 1" for a total of 2 3/8" seat height increase. For me, being 5'6" tall, the increased seat height is really nice. The extra 1" from the steel tube was the minimum height increase that would allow the seat to turn and not hit the battery.

Some photos:

[booster]

Off topic, but is that a wet cell inside the van?

[markopolo]

It is maintenance free......... you can't add water. I hope it is Gel at least.

Is it easy to tell?

Any risk? It is an engine battery.

[booster]

Originally Posted by markopolo

It is maintenance free......... you can't add water. I hope it is Gel at least.

Is it easy to tell?

Any risk? It is an engine battery.

Most of the run of the mill starting batteries are wet cells, but sealed so you can't add water. They get away with it by using a different lead compound that is less prone to boiling water off, but at the expense of capacity. It looks like a wet cell to me, so you may want to do a search on the battery name and see what you come up with.

[markopolo]

I'll check it out.

It is an aftermarket replacement but a factory option. Any opinion on the risk of out-gassing from the alternator charge? If it is a well cell would you keep it in your van?

[Photog]

I would not keep a wet-cell battery inside the van. It will have a vent somewhere on top, even though you can not do maintenance on it.

You will want to use a sealed battery, such as and: AGM or Gell Cell.

Is that one used only for starting, not as a deep-cycle for the House system?

[markopolo]

It is a starting battery but I can charge it with the house converter via a manual switch if I choose to and like to do that. My old converter can put out 13 volts or so. I've never seen 14 or more volts from the converter.

I never even gave it a second thought and just assumed it was a suitable replacement battery installed by the previous owner.

[Photog]

Since it is a starting battery, you don't need to worry about it being deep-cycle, just "sealed".

[goreds2]

Nice job on the driver seat swivel base.

[markopolo]

Thanks!

I still have to look into the wet cell etc. Better to be safe..............

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by booster

Off topic, but is that a wet cell inside the van?

I replaced it with an AGM this week. $200 or thereabouts but worth it for peace of mind. Thanks for spotting it.
I'm running mixed AGM and Wet for starting batteries............ Should I spend another $200 to go all AGM?

[Davydd]

My Pleasure-way 2005 Sprinter had an auxiliary house wet cell battery under the passenger seat. The wet cells had a full cap with a plastic tube vent that came off it and went through the floor. That was a Mercedes Benz factory solution not a converter's idea.

[markopolo]

No vent tube on mine.

I should add that I'll be maintaining both battery banks at around 13.6 volts on a float charge. The van will almost always be plugged into grid power. When plugged in all the banks will be charging or on float charge. I have an A, B, Both manual battery switch for this.

I found out that my main galley light runs off the engine battery. It is LED so I'm not that worried about it but might rewire it to run off the house batteries.