Storage battery compartment

Topic: Storage battery compartment (Read 851 times) previous topic - next topic

Storage battery compartment

November 24, 2020, 12:12:00 pm

Just finished removing rusted battery trays , sandblasting, painting. Cleaned literally 20 years of filth. Included pictures of replacing damaged foam. Rock solid now. Sealed edges with 3m barrier tape. Built new cables for spade type batteries I got from Calflashbob earlier in the month. Was just finishing up and realized I wanted to keep a 9/16 wrench in compartment to disconnect batteries. Thought about cutting wrench in half to allow handle to slide in holder that could be screwed to access structure. Hate drilling holes in anything, too difficult to undo if I change my mind used two earth magnets with a dab of silicone under them on coach side. They should be strong enough to hold in place in a accident, don't want my convenient wrench to ever shorting out batteries in a wreck. One more item off the list. Up to now I had been using one old red top optima battery. Huge improvement
Scott

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #1 – November 24, 2020, 12:15:43 pm

Foam repair pictures

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #2 – November 24, 2020, 12:48:55 pm

Nice repair! How do you happen to have all those lead ingots?

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #3 – November 24, 2020, 01:44:41 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – November 24, 2020, 12:48:55 pm

Nice repair! How do you happen to have all those lead ingots?

Never know when you may need several hundred pounds of lead. Use shot bags all the time to hold stuff too.
Scott

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #4 – November 24, 2020, 02:44:26 pm

From the sailing world, a standard winch handle holder can hold 🔧. The usage of magnets is great.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #5 – November 24, 2020, 03:59:37 pm

Looks like you cast bullets when not working on the RV.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #6 – November 24, 2020, 04:51:52 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – November 24, 2020, 03:59:37 pm

Looks like you cast bullets when not working on the RV.

Really wish I had time to do something like that. Never have. If I get some spare time I've got a Bronco prerunner to work on and a casita that need finishing and to be rented out. Haven't even gone out shooting in over a decade. Too busy
Scott

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #7 – November 24, 2020, 06:18:26 pm

Having the wrench handy is really good idea incase of a major short and some smoke starts to appear. Seconds become precious.
I used adjustable handles on mine: Battery Quick Disconnect

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #8 – November 24, 2020, 06:22:48 pm

And, I would suggest slipping an old bicycle inner tube or similar over most of it (if loose, zip tie it in place) so if you are in a hurry to disconnect a positive, you don't accidentally touch a negative or coach metal ground and ARC WELD that wrench in place.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #9 – November 24, 2020, 07:01:26 pm

I used heat shrink tubing, couple layers, covering everything between the working ends.

I thought those were bars of silver. ✔️

When I was a kid my Dad had molds from when he was a kid for making lead soldiers. We melted the lead in a ladle on a Coleman gas stove. Things were simpler then but not necessarily safer.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #10 – November 24, 2020, 07:21:43 pm

If you were to use a bulkhead seal like https://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=Uniseals-Uni-Seals , then you would retain possibility to replace pipe with little effort.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #11 – November 24, 2020, 07:41:08 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – November 24, 2020, 06:22:48 pm

And, I would suggest slipping an old bicycle inner tube or similar over most of it (if loose, zip tie it in place) so if you are in a hurry to disconnect a positive, you don't accidentally touch a negative or coach metal ground and ARC WELD that wrench in place.

Yes I agree. The post is the negative post and I have a boot on order for the positive already. Would be quite difficult to flip wrench over thru structure to short to power. Having available to remove ground post in a hurry is definitely a benefit. Seconds can make a difference.
Scott

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #12 – November 24, 2020, 10:03:30 pm

For quick/emergency disconnect, might consider buying a cheap (like Harbor Freight) ratchet and correct size socket for that location. Lots faster than a wrench.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #13 – November 24, 2020, 11:33:56 pm

Or just put in a switch.

See
BEP Marinco Pro Installer EZ-Mount On/Off Battery Switch
BEP Marine Pro Installer 500 Amp, 4-Stud Heavy Duty Bus Bar
Marinco Link Bars - Pro Installer
BEP Marinco Pro Installer ANL Fuse Holder 50V - 750A
BEP Marinco Pro Installer Class-T Fuse Holder 450-600 Amp

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #14 – November 25, 2020, 07:57:44 am

Even a ratcheting wrench and as Roger said cover it with shrink tubing.
TEKTON WRN53011 Ratcheting Combination Wrench, 9/16-Inch - - Amazon.com

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Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #15 – November 25, 2020, 08:11:29 am

My chassis disconnect, with Exide grp 34 AGM purchased July 2017. No water to check, no corrosion. Purrchased on sale for $129 each.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #16 – November 25, 2020, 08:20:27 am

Jack,

That looks like a "Perko-style" marine switch. Am very familiar with them.

I would suggest that most are "weather-resistant" rather than water-proof.

If this one is water-proof, please let us know brand and model.

Thanks.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #17 – November 25, 2020, 08:50:52 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – November 25, 2020, 08:20:27 am

Jack,

That looks like a "Perko-style" marine switch. Am very familiar with them.

I would suggest that most are "weather-resistant" rather than water-proof.

If this one is water-proof, please let us know brand and model.

Thanks.

Yes, I found less expensive "water resistant", or not at all. Mine is from Blue Sea Systems, it is waterproof (IP66) and safely rated to carry 600 amps continuous, 900 amps intermittent.

Specifications 3000
Switch Positions: 2-4
Battery Combine: No
Alternator Field Disconnect: No
Maximum Voltage: 32V
Continuous Rating: 600A
Intermittent Rating (5 min): 900A
Cranking Rating (30Sec): 1700A
Battery Inputs: 1
Cable Size to meet ratings: 4/0 AWG
Mounting Holes: Â¼"
Terminal Stud size: 1/2"
Dimensions: 3.85 "L x 3.85"W x 3.097" D
Weight:1.3lb

Amazon.com : Blue Sea Systems HD-Series Heavy Duty On-Off Battery Switch,...

Top Amazon review......
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018
High quality switch that is ignition protected and IP66 waterproof rated. The connection studs are tin plated and long enough for each to hold multiple cable lugs. One side of the "single circuit" switch version (3000) has two lugs in common so there is even more room for cable connections. The 600A continuous, 900A (5 min) and 1700A (30 sec) ratings are adequate to handle heavy duty applications on boats and motorhomes. Note that the cable lug studs are for 1/2" diameter lugs, so if you are relocating cables from some other source you may need to drill out or replace your cable lugs. I have installed several of these and have never had a problem or failure.
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Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #18 – November 25, 2020, 09:12:23 am

Jack,

Excellent choice. Blue Sea makes high end products.

For others, make sure if you use a battery switch "outdoors" that it IS waterproof.

Blue-Sea is also my "go to" for IGNITION SOLENOIDS as well: L Solenoid - 12/24V DC 250A - Blue Sea Systems Installed my first one back in 2001.

Re: Storage battery compartment

Reply #19 – November 25, 2020, 10:32:13 am

Roger, very nice installation, Jack I was unaware of such switches being available at that price. I have several other projects that those will be great for👍 Sometimes less is more for me. It's readily available and although it adds weight to my Fat coach it's convenient and functional. KISS. It's well protected from shorting across the +posts and it is a ground lug. The bolt in the battery is secured by a second nut so it acts like a stud. This will be easily serviceable for now. Still have a long list that I'm trying to work thru. Possible project in the future? Possibly. I'm just thrilled the have the battery box cleaned out, floor repaired and compartment sealed to prevent future damage from fuel.
Too busy choppen to sharpen my ax sometimes.
Scott

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