Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

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Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

November 23, 2018, 10:13:59 am

I would have sworn I saw a thread about someone doing this, but I can't seem to find it.

What I am considering is adding two group 31 AGMs in parallel to handle engine starting duties and adding the existing 8D AGM to the coach battery pair. The reason is to increase battery capacity on the house side to better handle the residential refrigerator install. What I have in mind is building/buying a rack to hold the two G31s behind the access door on the curb side behind the rear wheels. This would probably require shifting the fuel filters slightly to the rear or just closer together. FWIW my coach has the 3208T Cat.

Has anyone done this? Is there a write up? Thoughts?

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #1 – November 23, 2018, 10:21:38 am

Where are your 3 batteries presently located (in the stock configuration)?

The start battery rack on our coach (curb side, behind rear wheels) will easily hold 2 or 3 Group 34 batteries. or one AGM8D. You can see the rack placement in the thread linked below:

'93 U280 Isolator Panel Upgrade

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #2 – November 23, 2018, 10:28:56 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – November 23, 2018, 10:21:38 am

Where are your 3 batteries presently located (in the stock configuration)?

The existing batteries are street side in front of rear wheels. Basically I was thinking if I am going to do this I should while all three existing batteries are the fairly new and have been cycled about the same. They are a matched set of O'Reillys 8D AGMs.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #3 – November 23, 2018, 10:32:03 am

Added a link with photos to my comment above. Do you have the same amount of empty space available in your curb side compartment behind rear wheels? If so, then getting a battery rack built/installed, and implementing your idea should work fine.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #4 – November 23, 2018, 10:41:44 am

Pretty easy to relocate the start batteries if you have a side radiator to right in front of the rear bumper like OEM on our U300. I had to modify the rack to hold the three 31 series instead of the stock 24 series.

Pierce

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #5 – November 23, 2018, 11:03:43 am

Mine is a rear radiator, but the more I look at this the easier it looks. Will have to dig the welder out and see what I can come up with.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #6 – November 23, 2018, 11:25:24 am

Here is what I had to do to change from 24 series to 31 series start batteries. Rather than trying to cut off the rack, I just made a new one to fit on top. Lots of little mods but it works well. Almost 3000 CCA for $300 total for all three. Turned the batteries 180 degrees to avoid any possible positive terminal to ground contact. Used the factory connection cables from battery to battery. Could have done better but "next time."

Pierce

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #7 – November 23, 2018, 12:01:25 pm

I moved the start batteries on my 1981 Foretravel (with 3208 Cat) from under the mid entry stairs to the driver's side rear. It was easy. Then I added more house batteries to the space under the stairs.
I don't know why they weren't placed there in the first place.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #8 – November 23, 2018, 12:35:04 pm

My coach had A battery rack on the port side behind the rear wheels, looked like a factory install, complete with vent grille. It also had a poorly installed set in the air filter compartment, which I promptly removed, for fear of a battery event ruining the engine. Yep 7 batteries in all.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #9 – November 23, 2018, 02:24:19 pm

Dakota Slim Would you have any photos of your project from the 1981 Foretravel with the 3208? I'm interested after reading this thread about moving my chassis battery out from under the entrance stairs. Thanks Bob

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #10 – November 23, 2018, 10:26:12 pm

Quote from: Bob Fryer – November 23, 2018, 02:24:19 pm

Dakota Slim Would you have any photos of your project from the 1981 Foretravel with the 3208? I'm interested after reading this thread about moving my chassis battery out from under the entrance stairs. Thanks Bob

Sorry Bob, I have no photos but just like Old Phart Phred described, it was a factory installed rack. that was just inside an access door -- and about 3 feet from the starter.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #11 – November 24, 2018, 01:19:08 am

Quote from: Dakota Slim – November 23, 2018, 10:26:12 pm

Sorry Bob, I have no photos but just like Old Phart Phred described, it was a factory installed rack. that was just inside an access door -- and about 3 feet from the starter.

Yes, maybe red tractor, or caflashbob, has seen this. Looked like the perfect location for start battery close to the starter to minimize cable losses. Funny thing about my coach with all the batteries, no inverter. I will move the start batteries to this location once I add an inverter, and more solar, and more house batteries. Port side engine start battery would make it easier to jump if needed.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #12 – November 24, 2018, 10:32:22 am

Quote from: Old phart phred – November 24, 2018, 01:19:08 am

Port side engine start battery would make it easier to jump if needed.

Is your "port side" my driver side, or my passenger side?

(No, I never owned a boat/ship/barge.)
Thanks,

Trent

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #13 – November 24, 2018, 10:36:17 am

Geez, what a bunch of 'asphalt sailors':

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #14 – November 24, 2018, 10:42:25 am

Quote from: mike leary – November 24, 2018, 10:36:17 am

Geez, what a bunch of 'asphalt sailors':

Easy to remember as only one pair has the same amount of letters. Port and left.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #15 – November 24, 2018, 10:55:27 am

Quote from: craneman – November 24, 2018, 10:42:25 am

Port and left.

Assuming that left is what I call the driver's side, i.e., left hand as if sitting in the driver seat), then I got it; thanks.

For the record, it is 11/24/18; can't promise I will still remember next week.

Trent

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #16 – November 24, 2018, 03:33:53 pm

Yep, I made this exact mod to my '91 (which is a rear radiator too). I did not have to mod the fuel filters at all. I made it some time ago before I owned a welder so it's fabricated with a hack saw, drill and a 1/4-20 tap.
It's made with 2" x 2" x 1/8" angle and flat bar that is 1" x 3/16". There are also a couple of 1" angles as stops that hold the threaded rod too. There is also 3/4" plywood under the batteries that you can't see in the photos.
I did need to ADD heavy battery cables to the ground point and starter where the existing battery cables are connected. The existing cables are still needed to for the boost switch.
Attached are current photos.
I did recently make a new top bracket (painted grey) with some welded tabs.
This is installed on the passenger's side right behind the rear wheels.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #17 – November 24, 2018, 04:30:25 pm

John, well thought out and sanitary. Which compartment door is that in photo #1? Our house batteries are in the most rear compartment on the port side. Would be EZ to make a mount like yours if our AGM give up the ghost.

Just remember for port and starboard: Red Right Returning. So, if sailing and coming back to the harbor entrance, you will see the red light on the right side of the entrance, the green on the left side. Makes sense that when leaving the harbor (or in the motor coach) the red is going to be on the left, green on the right.

If flying an aircraft or at sea with a ship and you see a red and green light and the red is on the right, you should change course in a big hurry.

Pierce

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #18 – November 24, 2018, 05:00:16 pm

John this is excellent, exactly what I had in mind.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #19 – November 24, 2018, 09:32:04 pm

1000W 2000 Watt Power Inverter Pure Sine Wave 12V dc 110V 120V ac LCD Remote...
Nice 1000 watt PSW for a fair price.
I have two 8D under the stairs and one start 8D in the last box, port side. I rewired the stair set so that both run the coach and the rear bat just the engine.
The coach bats run this PSW inverter , the fridge and the floor/fender mounted outlet are powered through it.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #20 – November 26, 2018, 12:49:49 pm

I removed my engine batteries and mounted Lithium batteries in the bedroom by:

- Removing the old bedroom TV
- Moving the drawers up
- Mounting batteries inside the cabin (no venting necessary)
- Enclosing battery with wood covers

This keeps the batteries warm in cold temperatures.

See photos.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #21 – November 26, 2018, 03:02:21 pm

Not sayin' nothing about nothing, but, I'd be having the coach re-weighed after switching stuff around.

Re: Relocating the Chasssis/Starting Batteries

Reply #22 – November 26, 2018, 09:58:06 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 26, 2018, 03:02:21 pm

Not sayin' nothing about nothing, but, I'd be having the coach re-weighed after switching stuff around.

Probably lighter all around.. Dont think it would be a big shift but would be interesting to see after all is done.

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