[njvagabond]

1) The batteries will be in the unheated portion of your build, and will have to use the self heating function, so they won't last as long.

I am curious about the the self heating reducing battery life? Is that because the temp of battery will not be uniform?
Or is there something in general with regard to the LiFPO4 chemistry at lower temps?

2) with the rest of the components in the rear you'll need pretty big ($$) wires to feed the power to them.

VS. big wires from the vehicle to the batteries in the back? Might be the same or similar. I suppose if reducing wire, then the placement would depend on charge rate vs discharge rate. Now if biggest discharge rate is an an inverter, then if inverter is also upfront in with the batteries, the long runs will be smaller ac wiring. If it's in the cold cab, maybe better for the inverter.

I suppose it might be possible to modified the partition toto box them (w/insulation) in so they were in the heated space.

 

[njvagabond]

If you go ahead with the plan, run your seat all the way back before you place the batteries. I (stupidly) built cabinets behind the driver's seat without thinking of my general SHORT stature. Now, every time I have someone else work on the van or take it in for inspection, I have to warn them not to run the seat back or it'll break the power seat mechanism loose. Duh!

Is that because the top of the seat hits the partition and acts like a lever arm. Maybe you could drill a hole in the bottom of the seat rail (just like it's attached to the base ... so strength should not be an issue) and then put a bolt/w spacer on it to act like a stop. SHORT people rock!

 

[njvagabond]

Its because the batteries use their own power for heating. Thereby running the batteries down.

Thanks. So

If you do, please stay on the forum. We really could use more cheerful/positive/optimistic folks like you around here.

I guess then the question is how significant a difference is "as long". Of course the heater is also a potential failure point.

 

[njvagabond]

Can you elaborate on what you meant when you said the cold temps might be better for the inverter?

Fans won't run (as much?) or invertern is less likely to shut down (or de-rate?) for over temp. In general keeping electronics cool is good for longevity of components. But, I also would not sweat it. As long as the inverter is installed with sufficient clearances and airflow all is good. Most manuals have mounting specs that are good to follow.

Keeping the batteries in the heated space seems like it would be a good idea, but not a deal breaker .... assuming that the BMS on a heated battery does not solely rely on the heaters to prevent low temp charging, but has also has a disconnect in case the heater fails or can't keep up with ambient. It would be a good idea to check the battery spec out for that.