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Topic: 2003 U320 Battery Tray (Read 1677 times) previous topic - next topic

2003 U320 Battery Tray

Has anyone installed a sliding battery tray capable of holding the 3 x 8D batteries (two on the bottom and one on the top)? I do not know how many years of design have the three chassis batteries tucked away in the half bay (not accessible via a compartment like I have seen on some years). I removed my 3 batteries the other day which was not an easy thing to do. Before I install the new batteries I would like to get a better design for battery storage.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I am staying with the 8D AGM batteries.
2003 U320 4010 - SOLD
2014 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #1 –
Oem was gels.  All unicoaches had them.  13 years later should be of note if original.  AGM's from lifeline will add around 90 more amp hours between three batteries.  With roughly 1/2 of the 13 year service life from what I have been told.  Their info says they are the same life as your original gels.  Which is good.  Testing long term would be helpful.

The mk engineer thought the latest mk gels might double their life.  See east penns tech page.  And your info reinforces his comment about a lot of Foretravelers with 12 year old batteries.

Our 97 has a two lower and one upper slide trays.  Would need to be mounted into steel wall framing for the weight
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #2 –
Don made a slide out but his batteries are in an outside bay. Brother Geoff built one too for his 94 GV so it can be done just need to sit and think about it and visualize the finished product. Simple.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #3 –
I have the three batteries with one on top and two at the bottom.  My racks don't slide.  I would have to find some rails and maybe have to extend the cables.  I don't know that it's necessary since their is enough room to work on the batteries.

John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #4 –
For those unfamiliar with the 2003 U320 (and some later) battery location, this is what the battery compartment looks like and why a slide tray could be a nice improvement

The selected media item is not currently available.
In earlier model years, the AquaHot was in this general location (midline of coach).  Since that needs annual service, FT opted to move the AH to a more accessible location and use the freed up space for the batteries instead so that storage space in the bays wasn't lost.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #5 –
I am sure the opening in our coach off the mid bay is the same size looking at Michelle's picture (this though may be wider). I have just put my 4th battery there and had to put it length wise as tight fitting other way and no room for slides to allow them coming out. It is very feasible to make up and frame with slides and there is  a box frame in centre of floor and one at opening so a steel frame could be made with vertical framing to support the slides. Only problem (untill I get back in there and measure the height) is you can only get 1 battery on each level so maybe opening is not high enough ???
With opening sizes known then you can draw something up.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #6 –
This company makes battery trays Battery Trays - Fleming Sales OEM | Elkhart, IN  I will be ordering the battery hold down straps
as soon as I get a minute
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michelle –
For those unfamiliar with the 2003 U320 (and some later) battery location, this is what the battery compartment looks like and why a slide tray could be a nice improvement ...

Cool.  Been wondering where the house batteries are located.

Mark Duckworth
2003 U320 4220
Build 6199, Motorcade 17971

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #8 –
Mark, that is a tough place to remove/replace batteries, even to service them (check cable connections etc.). Measure the space carefully. In my coach, a 2001, the batteries are on the side.  In that space I can get six FullRiver DC335-6 6 volt batteries, 1005 amp hrs.  In yours you might be able to use L-16 sized DC400-6, 1245 amp hrs.  Lots more than the three 8Ds.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Mark, that is a tough place to remove/replace batteries, even to service them (check cable connections etc.). Measure the space carefully. In my coach, a 2001, the batteries are on the side.  In that space I can get six FullRiver DC335-6 6 volt batteries, 1005 amp hrs.  In yours you might be able to use L-16 sized DC400-6, 1245 amp hrs.  Lots more than the three 8Ds.
Roger,

In my coach the two basement areas available for storage -- one full width (left to right) bay behind the front wheels and one, 1/2 width bay that backs up to the electronics bay -- both have Joey Beds.  I'm assuming if I extend the latter's Joey Bed I'll see the battery compartment cover.

The house batteries were replaced by FOT in 2015.  I have not done any sort of load test on them.  Is there a simple way to setup a constant load and measure how long it takes them to deplete some percentage to determine their health?  I have amp and volt meters. 

Mark Duckworth
2003 U320 4220
Build 6199, Motorcade 17971

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #10 –
Mark, you need a big carbon pile load tester to adequately test the big batteries.  I bought a used one of these used on eBay.
AUTO METER SB-5/2 BATTERY TESTER, 800 AMP W/ UNLOADER

Most places that sell these big batteries should have something like this.  Most will tell you you need new batteries. If you take good care of your batteries they will last 7 years, maybe more.  They will not store as much as they get older. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Mark Duckworth –
Roger,

In my coach the two basement areas available for storage -- one full width (left to right) bay behind the front wheels and one, 1/2 width bay that backs up to the electronics bay -- both have Joey Beds.  I'm assuming if I extend the latter's Joey Bed I'll see the battery compartment cover.

The house batteries were replaced by FOT in 2015.  I have not done any sort of load test on them.  Is there a simple way to setup a constant load and measure how long it takes them to deplete some percentage to determine their health?  I have amp and volt meters. 


Mark, good idea to invest in a battery monitor. victron, xantrex, trimetric etc. Charge up your batteries, set it up and dry camp for a while and watch your state of charge. If you stay over 60 or 70% you are probably okay. No point in buying new batteries if you do not need them.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #13 –
I would think you could do this with nothing more than many of us already have on board. Fully charge the batteries, then disconnect all but one, turn on the inverter, and microwave something on high while monitoring battery voltage.

Repeat for each battery.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Ed W –
Has anyone installed a sliding battery tray capable of holding the 3 x 8D batteries (two on the bottom and one on the top)? I do not know how many years of design have the three chassis batteries tucked away in the half bay (not accessible via a compartment like I have seen on some years). I removed my 3 batteries the other day which was not an easy thing to do. Before I install the new batteries I would like to get a better design for battery storage.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I am staying with the 8D AGM batteries.
I have the same set up and my batteries are old.  How did you get your batteries out of that confined space?  Did you have to remove the Joey Bed?
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
--------------------------------------
New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #15 –
With the poor as designed access putting in AGM's with one half the cycle life would seem a lot of work at some future time.

On the other side lifeline AGM's offer 300 amp hours from 50% SOC to 90%

While MK gels would have around 270 amp hours from the same SOC.

Moving the batteries would alter the left to right and front to rear weight distribution that Foretravel carefully designed in.

Desulphurators would help the lifeline AGM's if thsts what you are using.

Lifelines can be equalized.  The other AGM's no.

Gels require no equalization and there long life is probably why they were oem and buried
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: 2003 U320 Battery Tray

Reply #16 –
For WAGONWHEELS, with regard to battery removal, I would say it is a two person job. As pictured in Reply#4 above, we do not have a joey bed in the half bay. If there is one (we have been thinking of installing one in our coach) it would have to be removed. We installed 8D batteries from NAPA. Battery replacement was easier than removal because I measured better and did not take the support frame apart on installation as I had on removal (I painted the support frame while I had the batteries out). There is a 1/4" of clearance between the top of the battery post and the top of the compartment. Therefore the bottom batteries need to be removed first. Then I put a bottle jack (piece of wood on top of bottle jack to distribute the load) in toward the center of the top battery to raise it above the frame lip but keeping it level. Then we slid the battery out. I did have a stack of wood on a small roller dolly that was about level with the raised battery height. The battery was slid onto this stack. The batteries weigh 160 lb each so be careful not to smash any fingers. You can PM me if you want clarification on the method. I replaced the original house batteries and I hope I do not need to do this again for several years. Placing the batteries low and in the center is good for center of gravity but they are hard to remove.
2003 U320 4010 - SOLD
2014 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel