Battery Tray Repair

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by kmpro

Brad , are you using two twelve volt batteries for house batteries? Has anyone put the 6 volt golf cart/RV batteries in series for house batteries?
Mike

Mike,

Currently we are using two 12 volt batteries for the coach. One of the reasons I deepened the battery tray was to allow us to use larger (i.e. taller) batteries if we chose to.

I believe Guy99 is using golf cart batteries. He has posted some of his info about his installation in this thread. Definitely worth considering if you're going to rework your tray.

Brad

[guy99]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Mike,
...
I believe Guy99 is using golf cart batteries. He has posted some of his info about his installation in this thread. Definitely worth considering if you're going to rework your tray.

Brad

To clarify, I relocated my chassis battery thus making room for four house batteries in the battery drawer. But since my drawer lacks the enhancement Brad has done, I can't fit golf cart batteries (they are too tall). So I have 4 12 volt marine/deep cycle batteries.

[bkahler]

Guy, thanks for clarifying.

I've been thinking about those golf cart batteries and I'm beginning to think the factory drawer slides that Airstream used may not have enough strength to handle the weight of the golf cart batteries. Those suckers are heavy .

One of these days I'll find out what the weight of a golf cart battery is and see what kind of drawer slides would be needed.

Brad

[guy99]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Guy, thanks for clarifying.

I've been thinking about those golf cart batteries and I'm beginning to think the factory drawer slides that Airstream used may not have enough strength to handle the weight of the golf cart batteries. Those suckers are heavy .

One of these days I'll find out what the weight of a golf cart battery is and see what kind of drawer slides would be needed.

Brad

I have 500 lb slides on my drawer.

[Chuckles]

On our 310 the battery tray is bolted to the chassis under the step.

Fine for 12 volters but I had to drop the tray about 4" to accommodate 4 Golf carts due to the height.
I relocated the starter battery to a small space behind the drivers side front wheel and in-front of the slide out tray. Only just fits but perfect! It also reduces the length of the starter cable to the starter (less voltage/power drop)
http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...8&d=1192035935

[kmpro]

So to accomodate Golf cart batteries I will have to do a makeover on the battery drawer is what we're saying here. Right?

[guy99]

Originally Posted by kmpro

So to accomodate Golf cart batteries I will have to do a makeover on the battery drawer is what we're saying here. Right?

Yes, if your battery drawer is like mine.

[kmpro]

Thanks Guy 99, it seems like my improvements are always more trouble and expense than originally planned. Oh well.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by guy99

I have 500 lb slides on my drawer.

Just did a quick check and it looks like golf cart batteries are around 70 lbs each. So if you had a deeper pan your 500 lb rails would work just fine.

I'm certain if we ever go to golf cart batteries the first change will be our slides.

Brad

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Chuckles

On our 310 the battery tray is bolted to the chassis under the step.

Fine for 12 volters but I had to drop the tray about 4" to accommodate 4 Golf carts due to the height.
I relocated the starter battery to a small space behind the drivers side front wheel and in-front of the slide out tray. Only just fits but perfect! It also reduces the length of the starter cable to the starter (less voltage/power drop)
http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...8&d=1192035935

Chuck, what year is your 310? Our 84 310 has the same arrangement as Guy's has.

Brad

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by kmpro

Thanks Guy 99, it seems like my improvements are always more trouble and expense than originally planned. Oh well.

Mike,

You're not alone with this sort of problem .

Brad

[guy99]

Originally Posted by kmpro

Thanks Guy 99, it seems like my improvements are always more trouble and expense than originally planned. Oh well.

Alas, it has often be stated here that the purchase price is merely a down payment . In our case, a very small down payment.

[kmpro]

Roger that. Small Down payment is right. I am spending about the same amount on the Silver Queen as I paid for her. Hence, the name. So far new fridge, new furnace, new toilet, lots of new weatherstrips. I am looking a headers, pipes, muffler, tailpipe and hangers. After that, complete LOF on engine and chassis, plus transmission and differential oil changes. Complete flush and bleeding of brake system and installation of Brake Gard. This has not addressed appearance items yet. In the words of George Harrison's song " it's gonna take money, a whole lot of spending money" At this point, I see no end in sight.

[Chuckles]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Chuck, what year is your 310? Our 84 310 has the same arrangement as Guy's has.

Brad

Brad, She was built in '82 and first registered in Shreveport, Tx. in '83. In '87 she was rebuilt after a fire. Mainly front end and upholstery. Has the later dash but not,unfortunately, the side panels in the cockpit - nor the electric seats - "sigh!"

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by kmpro

......new furnace......

Mike,

What brand and model furnace did you install? Is it located under the kitchen cabinets which is where its located in our 310.

I have to replace mine in the very near future and have been wondering which one if any would be a bolt in swap.

Thanks!

Brad

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Chuckles

Brad, She was built in '82 and first registered in Shreveport, Tx. in '83. In '87 she was rebuilt after a fire. Mainly front end and upholstery. Has the later dash but not,unfortunately, the side panels in the cockpit - nor the electric seats - "sigh!"

Chuck, its interesting that they put in the later dash after the fire. Probably the only style they could find at the time. Personally I like the style found in the 82-83 coaches more than the 84 and later units. From time to time a place like Colaws in Missouri might have a coach to buy parts off of. I was there about a year and a half ago and they had an 89 345 being sold for parts. I managed to grab a few while there.

To bad on the electric seats. I find them rather useful although I may change my mind about that if or when they decide to break .

Brad

[kmpro]

Brad:
I have the Suburban 34000 BTU ordered to replace the inop 30000 BTU under the sink in my 310. Supposed to be the same physical size just 4000 more BTUs to help keep us comfy. Easiest way to get it in and out under the cabinet is to use a bottle jack and lift the cabinet ever so slightly for clearance. Looks like I will be facing a battery box rebuild in the future as mine is in bad shape due to acid and poor maintenance. Another project in view! Woohoo!! I will make it deeper to accomodate the golf cart batteries for max dry camping amperage.

Mike

[Chuckles]

Brad, do you have contact details for Colaws? although I suspect if they do have seats and trim I am after, shipping to the UK could be another storey!
I too prefer to "wrap-round" effect/type dash but 'er-indoors likes the modern look .... Who am I to argue ... with the (Boss)?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by kmpro

Brad:
I have the Suburban 34000 BTU ordered to replace the inop 30000 BTU under the sink in my 310. Supposed to be the same physical size just 4000 more BTUs to help keep us comfy. Easiest way to get it in and out under the cabinet is to use a bottle jack and lift the cabinet ever so slightly for clearance.

If it really is the same physical size that will be great. I've had mine out for about 2 years now and we've been using small 1500 watt ceramic heaters to keep us warm. But we are going somewhere in early april where we may not have shore power available so having a furnace will be a must.

The bottle jack tip will be handy on re-install because I just colapsed the old unit taking it out.

Looks like I will be facing a battery box rebuild in the future as mine is in bad shape due to acid and poor maintenance. Another project in view! Woohoo!! I will make it deeper to accomodate the golf cart batteries for max dry camping amperage.

I was sorely tempted to just replace the floor with another piece of flat metal which would have made it a quick and easy job to repair. But Guy's advice on the golf cart batteries (or other larger batteries) made a lot of sense. Better to allow for larger batteries just in case. I didn't want this to be a case of hind sight .

If you want or need more info on how I did my box upgrade let me know.

Brad

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Chuckles

Brad, do you have contact details for Colaws? although I suspect if they do have seats and trim I am after, shipping to the UK could be another storey!
I too prefer to "wrap-round" effect/type dash but 'er-indoors likes the modern look .... Who am I to argue ... with the (Boss)?

Colaws mainly deals in the box type RVs but they do have a fair number of airstream trailers and once in a great while they might have an airstream motorhome. As a matter of fact last time there there were several of the later fiberglass airstream motorhomes there. One of those might be a seat donor for you. If nothing else they should be able to provide you with powered seat mechanisms from just about any motorhome. They should be pretty much the same. No need to ship the whole seat over when you should be able to bolt about any seat to the motorized assembly.

COLAW RV PARTS & SALVAGE | WE HAVE YOUR PART!

I understand not arguing with the Boss . I'm responsible for the outside of the motorhome and mechanicals, the Boss is responsible for interior design and upkeep. Works for me .