Chausson · Motorhomes & campervans

The lithium battery for your Chausson motorhome.

Chausson builds one of the most varied ranges in the market - compact S Slim-Line coachbuilts, the unique X compact, popular numbered low-profiles and Fiat-based overcabs - and every one of them leaves the factory in Tournon-sur-Rhône fitted with a sealed AGM that you can only half use. A TITAN drops into the same locker, gives you the full rated capacity, and handles the deep cycling that touring life demands.

Size it for my Chausson→ Motorhome battery guide→

A French brand with a broad range and two platform choices

Chausson is part of the Trigano group, built at a large dedicated facility in Tournon-sur-Rhône in the Ardeche region of France. The brand has been making motorhomes since 1984 and has built a strong following in the UK on the strength of clever layouts, solid IRP composite construction, and pricing that regularly undercuts premium alternatives.

The range spans six body types - V-series vans, S Slim-Line coachbuilts, X compact models, full-width low-profile coachbuilts, overcabs and A-class integrals - and the base-vehicle split runs across both Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato. In broad terms: the numbered Titanium Line and Etape Line low-profiles (630, 640, 650, 660, 627, 720, 788, 797) and the S Slim-Line (S514, S614) use the Ford Transit; the V-series vans (V594, V697, V690), X compact range (X550, X650) and Fiat overcabs (C514, C656, C727) use the Fiat Ducato. From 2026 Chausson has widened dual-chassis availability - the 640, 797 and 798 are now offered on either base - so always confirm yours with the handbook or the VIN plate. The FAQ below explains how to tell at a glance.

That platform split matters for the battery upgrade because both modern base vehicles run variable-voltage smart alternators, and the charging behaviour is different from an older fixed-voltage alternator. The motorhome battery guide covers the fundamentals. For a wider comparison across brands, the motorhome brands hub has the full picture.

Sizing a Chausson by model type

A starting point by body type and typical use. The factory AGM on most Chausson models is 80Ah to 100Ah - a same-footprint TITAN gives you far more usable capacity from an identical or smaller physical space.

Model typeHow it gets usedGood fit
V-series vans (V594, V594S, V697) / S Slim-Line (S514, S614)Compact coachbuilt or panel van, 2-4 berth, typically 3,500 kg Weekend touring, lights, fridge, phones, occasional hook-up free nights 100Ah to 150Ah
Mid low-profiles - 630, 640, 650, 660, 627 (Ford Titanium/Etape Line)Full-width coachbuilt, 4-6 berth, lounge + rear bathroom Regular touring, truma heating, fridge, water pump, devices 150Ah to 180Ah
Larger low-profiles - 720, 788, 797, 798 / X compact (X550, X650)Longer body or van-format with maxi lounge, 4-5 berth Longer off-grid stays, more devices, inverter use, roof solar 180Ah to 230Ah
Overcabs - C514, C656, C727 (Fiat Ducato)Maximum berths, family use, heavier onboard load Family groups, extended stays, heating overnight, full appliance load 180Ah to 230Ah

These are starting points, not fixed rules. The honest figure comes from your own loads, not the model name, so total them in the battery size calculator. Battery lockers and tray dimensions vary by model year, trim level and layout - measure your existing space including terminal height before ordering. Matched packs can be run in parallel where the locker allows.

Where the leisure battery lives in a Chausson

Chausson locates the leisure battery in one of several positions depending on body type, layout and year. The most common positions across the range are:

  • Under the driver or passenger cab seat. Many low-profile and S Slim-Line models on both Ford and Fiat bases site the battery in a ventilated tray beneath one of the cab seats. The flat DIN case keeps the centre of gravity low and typically clears the seat base with good clearance - though swivel-seat bases on some layouts eat into available height, so always measure rather than assume.
  • Under the rear lounge, dinette seat or in a floor locker. Larger low-profiles and some X compact models place the battery in a floor compartment beneath the rear lounge or dinette. This position often has more lateral space, making it suitable for a 150Ah to 230Ah single or a parallel pair where loads demand it.
  • In the habitation locker or external garage. Overcab models (C514, C656, C727) and some larger low-profiles route the battery bank into the side locker or garage, where there is room to co-locate the charger, DC-DC unit and fusing in one accessible bay.

Because the TITAN case is sealed to IP67, it handles the damp and dust of an underfloor or locker mount without issue. The RJ45 comms ports drop to IP32 while a cable is connected, so keep any plugged port clear of standing water. Battery locations and tray dimensions vary between Chausson model years and specification levels - check your handbook and measure your space including terminal clearance before ordering rather than relying on a brochure figure.

Charging a Chausson from alternator, solar and mains

A Chausson charges its leisure battery from three sources: the engine alternator while driving, roof solar through an MPPT controller, and the mains charger on hook-up. Lithium takes all three faster than the AGM it replaces, so a decent motorway run or a sunny afternoon puts real capacity back rather than an overnight trickle.

The alternator is where current Chausson bases need a little extra thought. Both the Euro 6 Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato engines run variable-voltage smart alternators - the Fiat's Eco Pack lists the smart alternator explicitly as standard equipment. A smart alternator manages its output to recover energy during overrun and reduce load on the engine, and that variable voltage profile will not reliably fill a lithium battery on its own. The fix is a DC-DC charger, also called a battery-to-battery charger, wired between the starter battery and the leisure bank. We would fit a Victron Orion every time - it gives the lithium a clean, controlled charge profile and protects the starter battery from being drawn down. A split-charge relay is a simpler and cheaper solution that many owners already have, but it is less reliable for lithium and some relay configurations cause a backfeed that quietly limits the top of your usable capacity. Running the leisure bank directly off the alternator with no relay and no DC-DC is not something we recommend.

Plan the roof with the solar sizing guide, check your mains charger against the compatibility list, and size the battery around the gap your charging sources cannot cover overnight. Every TITAN carries a custom BMS with a built-in low-temperature heater so it charges safely down to -30C, and comes with a lifetime, fully transferable warranty.

Size my battery→ Plan my solar→

Common questions

Is my Chausson based on a Ford Transit or a Fiat Ducato?
The easiest check is the badge on the cab nose - Ford or Fiat is clearly marked. If you want the definitive answer, look at the VIN plate (usually on the B-pillar or door frame): a VIN starting with WF0 is a Ford Transit; one starting with ZFA is a Fiat Ducato. In general terms: the S Slim-Line coachbuilts (S514, S614) and the full-width Titanium and Etape Line numbered low-profiles (630, 640, 650, 660, 627, 720, 788, 797) are Ford Transit-based. The V-series vans (V594, V697, V690), X compact models (X550, X650) and the Fiat overcabs (C514, C656, C727) are Ducato-based. From the 2026 model year Chausson has extended dual-chassis availability - the 640, 797 and 798 are available on either base - so on those models the cab badge and VIN are the only certain way to tell. Both platforms run smart alternators on current Euro 6 engines, so the DC-DC charging recommendation applies to all of them.
Do Chausson motorhomes need a DC-DC charger to charge a lithium battery?
Yes, on any current Chausson with a Euro 6 Ford Transit or Fiat Ducato base. Both run variable-voltage smart alternators - the Fiat's Eco Pack lists it as standard, and Ford's Start/Stop system does the same job. A smart alternator will not sustain the voltage needed to reliably fill a lithium battery via a direct connection or a simple split-charge relay. A DC-DC charger such as a Victron Orion takes the fluctuating alternator output and converts it into a clean, controlled lithium charge profile without drawing down the starter battery. A split-charge relay will move some charge and many older Chaussons have one already, but it is a less reliable solution for lithium and can limit your effective usable capacity. Check the charger compatibility list for the full picture.
What size lithium battery do I need for a Chausson motorhome?
It depends on the model and how you use it. A compact V-series van or S Slim-Line typically fits well with 100Ah to 150Ah. A mid-range low-profile such as the 640, 650 or 660 generally suits 150Ah to 180Ah. Larger models - the 720, 788, 797, 798, the X compact range or the overcabs - benefit from 180Ah to 230Ah, especially if you run off-grid regularly. The factory AGM on most Chausson models is 80Ah to 100Ah, and because an AGM is only safely usable to about 50%, the real reserve is considerably less. A like-for-like TITAN lithium gives you close to 100% usable capacity from the same or similar footprint. Total your own loads in the battery size calculator for the honest figure.
Where is the leisure battery in a Chausson motorhome?
Location varies by model line, body type and specification year. On most low-profile and S Slim-Line models the battery sits in a ventilated tray under one of the cab seats - usually the passenger side. On larger low-profiles and X compact models it can be under the rear lounge or in a floor locker beneath the dinette. Chausson's Fiat-based overcabs (C514, C656, C727) typically route the battery into the habitation locker or garage. The best source is your Chausson handbook, which gives the exact location for your model and year. Measure the space you have including the height to any lid, frame or seat base - and factor in terminal clearance - before ordering. TITAN's flat DIN case is designed to fit the most common positions in current coachbuilts.
Can I replace the Chausson factory AGM with a lithium drop-in?
In most cases yes. Chausson uses standard DIN-format battery trays and a TITAN lithium matches the common AGM footprint. The main checks are: measure your tray including height to any lid or seat frame to confirm clearance; set any solar controller to a lithium profile; check your mains charger against the compatibility list; and if your Chausson is on a current Euro 6 Ford or Fiat base, fit a DC-DC charger for alternator charging. If you have an existing split-charge relay, upgrading to a Victron Orion DC-DC at the same time is the cleaner solution. There is no modification required to the habitation wiring for most models.
Will a TITAN lithium battery work in a Chausson in cold winter conditions?
Yes. A standard lithium battery cannot be charged below 0C without risking damage to the cells, which is a genuine concern for anyone touring in autumn and winter. Every TITAN carries a custom BMS with a built-in low-temperature heater that brings the cells up to a safe charge temperature automatically before accepting current. This means it charges safely down to -30C - well beyond anything a UK or northern European winter throws at it. The case is sealed to IP67 for protection against damp and condensation. The RJ45 comms ports drop to IP32 while a cable is connected, so if you use Bluetooth monitoring keep any plugged port away from standing water. The battery also comes with a lifetime, fully transferable warranty, so it stays protected however long you keep the motorhome.