Does My Bus Need 2 Batteries?

[Danjo]

I am seriously running out of under floor space. I’m struggling to find a place for the water heater. I was originally going to extend the battery compartment in the side of the bus to also contain the house batteries. I like this solution and really don’t want to change my, um “plan”, but I might need that spot for the water heater.

So the question: do I need 2 batteries for a Chevy Express? My own answer to this is no if not including the wheelchair lift. Maybe I’ll relocate the second battery, maybe make a box underneath with a floor hatch.

Thoughts please.

[SolomonEagle]

InBox under with floor hatch, yes. Though you could.probly get away with one battery, the reason for two is to make sure that you have enough power to operate under all conditions. Diesel engines take a tremendous amount of power to, not only turn over, but also to run the glow plugs/heater grid. You could likely go to one but would risk not being able to start yr diesel on a really cold morning. If it's a gas engine, its likelly to not be as crucial..though I would be reluctant to stray away from the factory setup.my2¢

[PNW_Steve]

My truck has a 5.9 Cummins with two group 27 batteries. I am sure that on a nice summer day it will start easily with one battery. Yesterday when I started the truck it was 29F outside and I DEFINITELY needed two batteries.

My bus has 3 group 31's. One of them failed a couple of weeks ago. Now I have two and it struggles. With the weather turning cold I need three batteries. Now to decide if I am going to replace the bad one or all three.....

[Jsneeb]

My bus had two batteries, but to make room in the battery box I eliminated one of them.

My bus still starts as low as mid teens.

However I do have a DC/DC converter from the 12V system to the 24V system that I can run "backwards" and recharge my 12V battery if it runs low or dies.

[Booyah45828]

Relocate it under the bus on the frame rail. I've seen short buses have them on the passenger side frame rail by the van builder when underhood space was sparse. Use a simple side loading battery box like this. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-430023

And then you won't have to cut a hole in the floor.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Jsneeb

My bus had two batteries, but to make room in the battery box I eliminated one of them.

My bus still starts as low as mid teens.

However I do have a DC/DC converter from the 12V system to the 24V system that I can run "backwards" and recharge my 12V battery if it runs low or dies.

that sounds slick.

What DC-DC converter are you using?

[PatrickBaptist]

Even if it starts with only 1 battery, especially in the cold your starter could wind up dying early from doing that. Low power cranking is very hard on a starter, I've trashed a few because I'm a cheapskate and don't buy batteries until they are completely useless.
Your better off keeping it with dual batteries, at some point you might wind up stranded over it at the least of matters.... Just build a battery rack under it is the route I'd advise.

[Iqinsanity]

Voltage drop could also cause the wires to heat faster.