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Batteries on a 225

April 27, 2011, 11:31:39 am

93 225

Just finished my battery project. This subject was touched upon in a related post but I'm putting this one up as it pertains only to the 225 model. Our 225 (unlike PatC's 94 model) has both the coach and starter batteries located within a dedicated compartment just fore of the pax rear tires. All the batteries are contained within a big, well sealed fiberglass tub. Originally I intended to install two 8Ds for the coach to replace a weak 8D that had been subjected to gross overcharging. Anyhow, I changed my mind and decided to go with six volts instead (series/parallel. wet cell). The starter batteries were group 24 that were approaching three years old. They were post models cabled with a real Rube Goldberg system of clamps. I decided to replace them with a couple of Exide group 31s. Great plan but... the damn tub was about 1/2" too narrow. I decided to ***can the tub as a sealed battery compartment never seemed like a good idea to me in the first place. This way the compartment would be open and it's vented to the outside too. Anyhow, here's a before and after photo. Now there's plenty of room in there and I can also access the back side of the black and gray tanks for installation of replacement level gauges (later project).
jor

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Re: Batteries on a 225

Reply #1 – April 27, 2011, 07:19:51 pm

Nice clean installation!  And I like the idea of being able to access the back side of the black and gray tanks.  Think I am looking at that project too.  Right now I can't even see the back side of the tanks.  I have enough room for two tool boxes, a gallon of oil, and other supplied.  Probably a foot and a half deep!

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Re: Batteries on a 225

Reply #2 – April 27, 2011, 08:41:17 pm

I am concerned that the batteries are not enclosed and not vented to the outside as originally designed by Foretravel.

If these were AGM batteries, my concerns would be less, since they only out-gas under severe overcharging (read abusively high voltage).

Brett

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Re: Batteries on a 225

Reply #3 – April 27, 2011, 09:15:05 pm

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not vented to the outside

Not sure if yours is set up the same as this one, Brett, but the compartment is vented into the wheel well. I replaced the converter with a good four stage so I'm thinking there shouldn't be anything but normal gassing which shouldn't be a problem. The original two bottom holes are still there although they are covered by the batteries. I figure if there is any issue, I'll just install a 12v fan and, if necessary, pop a couple more holes in the floor in front of the batteries. I think it will be just fine. I never liked that sealed setup anyhow.
jor

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Re: Batteries on a 225

Reply #4 – April 27, 2011, 09:33:58 pm

Yes, a  muffin fan exhausting out the upper vent to the rear wheel well would help remove the sulfuric acid/hydrogen that are a natural byproduct of battery charging.  Remember, you have a lot of electrical components in that same compartment (in front of the white FG divider). Even if that harsh environment causes you to replace the fan once a year, no big deal, they are not expensive.

Wire it to run when the charger is on.  First take would be to use a 120 VAC fan tired to the circuit feeding the charger. Or a 12 VDC fan with a relay closed by 120 VAC to the charger.  When driving/charging from the alternator I am not as concerned, as there is natural air flow as you drive.

Brett

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