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06-10-2014, 05:48 PM
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#1
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Full-timer
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
new york
, New York
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 30
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battery drawer reconstruction - Stainless steel?
Hi All,
I just pulled my rusty battery box today. It was super rusty and getting dangerous.
My plan is to have a new box built out of stainless steel sheets. For structural members I'll either use fiberglass or aluminum.
Before I proceed, I thought I'd see if you all had any thoughts on using stainless steel for this application? I will need to rivet between stainless and aluminum.
Thanks very much,
Nick
__________________
Urban camping in San Francisco, Ca
1988 Airstream 345 Motorhome
1964 Vespa GS
1982 VW Qauntum, turbo diesel
1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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06-10-2014, 06:04 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Saint Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,702
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Honestly,
Don't know how well stainless steel and aluminum will react being bonded to each other. Metals of different types tend to 'react', usually having a corrosive effect.
I'd definitely check with a metal working shop for their advise.
Any thoughts KeyAir?
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06-10-2014, 06:57 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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Someone else did a post on reconstructing his slide out drawer battery box. You might want to search the motorhome forms to see if you can locate it.
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06-10-2014, 07:44 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
1995 36' Classic 36
Boulder
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 99
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I'd consider laying one up with fiberglass.
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06-10-2014, 07:59 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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Between stainless and aluminium, aluminum loses (corrodes).
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06-10-2014, 08:59 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 883
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Detailed reasons why not to do what you propose:
Galvanic corrosion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So if you live in the salt belt or near the sea, you will get salt residue, then the first rain will create an electrolyte slurry on the exterior pieces, the next thing you know, you now have current, and your steel is destroying your aluminum. The Navy's newest ship is having trouble due to steel and aluminum being mated together.
If you are in a dry climate and never plan to go to the salt belt, or the ocean your chances are reduced. personally I would not do it.
__________________
1994 36' Classic Diesel Pusher
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06-10-2014, 09:44 PM
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#7
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Site Team
1963 26' Overlander
Hollis
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,647
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Why not rebuild it out of aluminum?
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Visit my blog!
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06-10-2014, 09:53 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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battery drawer reconstruction - Stainless steel?
Right now it is steel riveted to aluminum and it has lasted how long now?
If i was making the box i would reconstruct the box with 18 or 20 ga. sheet using my metal brake to add structure.
I would use steel or stainless steel and not worry about it again for the next twenty years or so.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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06-11-2014, 01:31 AM
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#9
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Full-timer
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
new york
, New York
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 30
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__________________
Urban camping in San Francisco, Ca
1988 Airstream 345 Motorhome
1964 Vespa GS
1982 VW Qauntum, turbo diesel
1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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06-13-2014, 01:06 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
St Helens
, Oregon
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 31
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I am having the same issue with my battery box. Just had a buddy make me a bottom section out of stainless. I agree there is a definite possiblility of electrolosys but I am with you on the original contruction was with mild steel anyways. I'd say if it is a real possibility in your climate, isolate the parts where the ferris and non ferris metals join with battery terminal protectant or some kind of sealant. Make sure its a good coating cause you wouldn't want to trap moister inside. Just a thought....
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06-13-2014, 01:25 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,215
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Ever notice all the stainless steel hatches,flaps, and doors Airstream sells at the factory store and online for their trailers as add ons?
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WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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06-14-2014, 07:35 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 883
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Switz: Sarcasm does not translate well in text. It lacks the personal touch of non-verbal communication. To answer your question: Yes I have. They also come with gaskets to isolate them from each other.
Team,
You can do what you want, it's your moho. The fact remains it's not a matter of 'if' you will experience negative effects by combining the two, but "when." Assess your situation and assume the level of risk you desire.
__________________
1994 36' Classic Diesel Pusher
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06-14-2014, 08:10 AM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
1988 Argosy 32
Lomita
, California
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 181
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fix as you wish, then prevent it a 2 time, Replace bat witl a AGM they are sealed.
I put a sheet of ruber under bat, ( i use lifeline bats )
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06-14-2014, 08:12 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,215
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That is not a sarcastic comment. Every one of those stainless steel accessories is attached using either screws or pop rivets. Are the fasteners aluminum or stainless? They touch the stainless device and go into the aluminum skin or frame member. So the corrosion issue might move to the fasteners which are out of sight and out of mind until the device falls off.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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06-14-2014, 08:45 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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If a repair can be made with parity with the original build and last 25 years, in most cases that will do.
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The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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06-14-2014, 10:48 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1994 36' Classic 36 Diesel
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 883
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Switz: My apologies.
__________________
1994 36' Classic Diesel Pusher
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06-15-2014, 06:03 AM
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#17
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Full-timer
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
new york
, New York
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 30
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Thanks for all the comments. One question I have is, what is the diameter of the rivets used on these drawers? I will have to replace at least one row of Olympic rivets.
Thanks, Nick
__________________
Urban camping in San Francisco, Ca
1988 Airstream 345 Motorhome
1964 Vespa GS
1982 VW Qauntum, turbo diesel
1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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07-30-2014, 02:35 PM
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#18
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New Member
1991 35' Airstream 350
Martinez
, California
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2
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Stainless Tub or Battery drawer
I had a slightly deeper drawer built of stainless 8 years ago and it is doing fine. I had the fabricator leave all four corners open for drainage and ventilation. Here is a good opportunity to make it tall enough to accommodate golf cart 6v batteries for your house bank. I did not think about that until it was already completed. The connection to the frame of the drawer is high and not likely to suffer corrosion problems at all.
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07-30-2014, 03:50 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
Palomar Mountain
, California
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 355
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I agree with 'Wolfe' (Replace bat with a AGM's they are sealed.)
Get rid of drawer (you don't need to slide out to service every 30 days), permanently mount inside and use outside drawer end for a door. Extra cost of AGM's will be paid for from unneeded extra work rebuilding drawer, they will last longer, give better service and you don't have to worry about loosing them if you forget to service them on time. I replaced mine with AGM and wouldn't ever go back.
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07-31-2014, 08:39 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,215
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Custom external stainless a steel battery box for four Lifeline act 300-amp hour batteries. There is an insulating rubber strip between the aluminum of the trailer and the battery box.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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