Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

House batteries access

August 20, 2016, 12:36:25 pm

I have a 2002 U320 40 ft, in the 2nd bay on passenger side my house batteries are located. In order to check or do maintenance, the sliding trays must be removed, then the wall cover removed. Has anyone altered this cover to make it easier to check your house batteries and if so, what did you do? Just getting ideas.
Thanks, Ralph

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Re: House batteries access

Reply #1 – August 20, 2016, 02:02:45 pm

Mine is the same way. Previous owner cut the panel in two, closer to bottom end. So no need to remove sliding tray. Remove the screws for the panel but the bottom screws, easy access.

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Re: House batteries access

Reply #2 – August 20, 2016, 03:57:20 pm

I have considered wing-nut 1/4 turn zeus fasteners, but not a priority now.
Velcro?

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Reply #3 – August 20, 2016, 05:08:57 pm

Just replaced the original batteries, Bay #2, dead center back wall access into bay #3... Had Freightliner put them in,, no way I can even pick up one end of those G8d's......

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Reply #4 – August 20, 2016, 05:48:42 pm

Yes I either leave it off or keep it retained by ones are two screws.

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Reply #5 – August 20, 2016, 06:17:36 pm

My access is worse than yours and I bought the auto-fill pumper system. Not cheap but man is it easy. Good investment. Never have to remove a cap again.

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Reply #6 – August 20, 2016, 06:25:30 pm

All the late model coaches came with gels. 

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Reply #7 – August 20, 2016, 06:31:30 pm

Ok. Nevermind.

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Reply #8 – August 20, 2016, 06:49:44 pm

My guru tells his customers he will charge them for the additional cabling and battery rotation and periodic testing required and the  installation of the watering system.

After a period of time and perodic service charges almost all have him install mk 8g8d's. 

Longer cycle life.  Less corrosion.  Better low temp power. 

Long term the flooded cells seem to maybe  cost more if you are not doing the work yourself,

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Reply #9 – August 24, 2016, 03:24:47 pm

Thanks for all the replies. My house Bats. are Lifeline AGMs I don't how much maintenance they  need, only checking posts and cables for corrosion. Just very hard to get to, no easy solution.

Ralph

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