[mt walker]

In case someone else is considering this package or has ordered it. The description said:
Auxiliary Battery 100 Amp


Details & TechnologyIn addition to the standard battery, a 12 V/100 Ah auxiliary battery with long cycle life is mounted in the engine compartment. The aux battery supply voltage is separated from the vehicle electrical system through a cutout relay. An electrical connector box is installed inside the driver seat. Remove cover to attach your electrical connection and install an appropriate fuse as close as possible, ensuring cover is seated properly when closing.


What is actually on my van is a 12V/95A battery that starts the van and is located under the passenger seat. And a 12V/95A battery labeled "starter" battery -see picture- that is the extra battery and is located under the driver's seat. There is no battery under the hood. Also under the driver's seat there appears to be a cut-out relay - see picture. I can't find any connector box so I'm installing a fuse box in the space at the back of the driver's seat which will be accessible without removing the driver's seat.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

So you kinda got gyped 5ah

 

[mt walker]

So you kinda got gyped 5ah

Actually the lack of the connector box is the bummer. Have a fuse block on order and will get the local parts guy to make me up some connector cables.


Maiden voyage is just a week away so feeling some pressure :wink:

 

[lumbermonkey]

Which fuse box are you installing?

 

[hank]

Sorry for posting so much but I'm a little white hot about my car right now and full of questions. I'll settle down in a couple of weeks.

What is the Auxiliary Battery package for? I didn't get it as best I can tell. My Metris has a normal automotive battery under the driver's seat, and a smaller battery looking thing under about the size of the pint of milk under the passenger seat. What does the small battery do?

I have a lot of potential to run down my battery camping with interior lights this fall and winter as the days get shorter. Should I look into an "auxiliary" battery aftermarket?

Thank you!

 

[Greenmanedlion]

The purpose of the auxiliary battery is to power accessories and not run down your main battery. It will however warn you if you are about to do that, generally.

 

[Sierrasclimber]

Hank did you get EK1 Bodybuilder connector with your build? I don't think it is actually required with the Additional Battery?

Page 22 of the equipment book shows it:
https://sprinterguy.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/metris-equipment-book.pdf

The bodybuilder connector is installed in the front passenger footwell and includes the following
connections:
- Terminal 15 12V/15A (180W)
- Terminal 30 12V/25A (300W)
- Terminal 61 12V/15A (180W)

 

[hank]

Sierra sorry, didn't get the auxiliary battery. That and the start/stop are the only options I don't have.

I think I'd like to have the auxiliary battery though, even though not fully clear on what it does. I will camp a lot in my Metris, and would like to be able to run the interior lights etc w/o compromising the vehicle's ability to start. If this is what the aux battery does then I might see if retrofit isn't an arm and a leg.

Enjoy your van and your beautiful mountains!

 

[warren]

Anyone here planning to go with a higher output battery from a brand like say... Optima? Some people i know have gone with the Optima Yellow Top as their aux battery.

 

[Archispeak]

I ordered the auxiliary battery and I am looking to install a 2000/4000w inverter and not sure about how to wire the power leads. Any suggestions?

 

[flacaproductions]

As big of a cable as you can get and keep the leads as short as you can. That's the golden rule with inverters.

 

[MOWO]

I'm looking to do the same thing. I didn't get the add-on battery option, but want to fit in some aux AC options in. Hopefully someone can chime in with their experience or advice.

 

[tcp]

I ordered the auxiliary battery and I am looking to install a 2000/4000w inverter and not sure about how to wire the power leads. Any suggestions?

This photo showed how we wired up our auxiliary battery using the body builder connector. We then ran the wires under the foot step on the passenger side, up column B, and from there into the back of the van.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I chose lobster Cantonese on column b...

 

[lumbermonkey]

This is the fuse box I went with. Installed it under the driver's seat behind the aux. battery. Using it to charge equipment, run a roof vent and lights. Very happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000THQ0CQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MOWO]

Anyone have info or direction to take for an aux battery install w/o factory option, no PMG, no body builder option?
I do have ECO S/S with the 'buffer' battery under the passenger seat.

 

[mjjohanson]

The van I have has the ECO start/stop. I also don't have the auxiliary battery package or the body-builder connector. I have searched all over and there is no 'buffer' battery. My theory is this: MB discovered that with the big AGM battery there was no need for another battery so they simply let the bus sag when the engine shuts off (it gets nice and quiet after a few seconds) instead of holding up the power with another battery. This little 'feature' hasn't made its way into the manuals yet.

 

[Volvosrock]

The van I have has the ECO start/stop. I also don't have the auxiliary battery package or the body-builder connector. I have searched all over and there is no 'buffer' battery. My theory is this: MB discovered that with the big AGM battery there was no need for another battery so they simply let the bus sag when the engine shuts off (it gets nice and quiet after a few seconds) instead of holding up the power with another battery. This little 'feature' hasn't made its way into the manuals yet.

It's a small battery under the drivers seat, at least that's where mine is. I have to pop the cover off and actually bend down and look in to see it.

 

[mjjohanson]

Nada. Only air under there and some electronics. Seems like some have it and some don't. Ergo my thought that they found it works to simply leave it out.

 

[mdifanis]

I had a local performance car audio shop install a pure sine wave 3,000 watt continuous/6,000 watt peak inverter. I do have the auxiliary battery factory option. The shop used massive 0 gauge cables, and the inverter is mounted on custom fabricated brackets on the floor between the front seats. The same shop indicated it could subsequently fabricate a carpeted cover/console that could have cup holders (which are conspicuously absent in the second row!) and storage cubbies in it.