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Lothlorian · 03-19-2011, 11:33 AM

This battery box is in pretty bad shape. They don't make batteries to fit it anymore. I am thinking of taking this one off and building a copy of it but wider. Has anybody done this?

Brian

Inland RV Center, In · 03-19-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lothlorian

This battery box is in pretty bad shape. They don't make batteries to fit it anymore. I am thinking of taking this one off and building a copy of it but wider. Has anybody done this?

Brian

Brian.

It's a lot easier, to get a plastic boat battery box, and mount it on the A-frame.

A lot cheaper too.

Andy

Frank's Trailer Works · 03-19-2011, 12:58 PM

They do still make and sell those tractor batteries. They are just not very common. I think Tractor Supply has them.

Inland RV Center, In · 03-19-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62overlander

They do still make and sell those tractor batteries. They are just not very common. I think Tractor Supply has them.

Frank.

It's better to upgrade for the battery.

Using the old design battery is OK, but finding one, is the tough part. Your suggested source may have them, and that would be great.

However, that old style battery may be very difficult to find, when traveling, should it need to be replaced.

Better to stay with something reasonably standard.

Andy

Overlander & Sea · 03-19-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lothlorian

This battery box is in pretty bad shape. They don't make batteries to fit it anymore.

Brian

Interstate Battery makes one that will fit the old battery box. I have a new one in my '61 Overlander. I added a converter to keep it charged. On Monday, I can get you the (model?) number off of my battery if you want it. But, I know that doesn't answer your question about building a bigger battery box.

Someday'59 · 03-19-2011, 02:27 PM

Brian,
(My) Brian is in the process of making one for our trailer. It's not finished yet... the frame for it is made. It' going to be large enough to house two batteries.

Lothlorian · 03-19-2011, 02:52 PM

We are trying to keep the old battery box look. The reason I want to take it down and build a new one is sometime in the trailers history I think acid leaked down. It really chewed up the aluminum. There are holes eaten away in the box. I was thinking of making a small cosmetic cap for the bottom.

Guys give me the size and the name of the batteries you installed. Are they deep cycle?

Great information!

Thanks

Brian

Lothlorian · 03-19-2011, 06:01 PM

I got the replacement battery today. Now I got to figure the wires + & -. They are back and white that go to battery not red and black. I am only going to use them to see what is working and what is not. Once I test everything I will replace the battery wires.

Brian

TG Twinkie · 03-19-2011, 06:10 PM

Black is positive and White is negative. If you are looking for a long slender 12 volt battery. They are still very common in farm country. I don't believe there will be anything in deep cycle. But they do have more ampere hours than an automotive battery, they are common in diesel tractors.

Frank's Trailer Works · 03-19-2011, 06:37 PM

is a new battery considered an upgrade? I sure think so.

Lothlorian · 03-19-2011, 06:47 PM

Frank:

It had the original battery in it. I am so glad I found a battery. Thanks for leading me in the right direction. I have a Tractor supply about 15 minutes from the house. The upgrade to the battery box (cosmetic fix) will take place next fall. I have to get the inside finished.

Twinkle:

Thanks for letting me know the black it hot and the white wire is neutral.

Brian

samb · 03-19-2011, 10:37 PM

Brian--
In answer to your original question, yep. I made one for my '61 Safari.
I sized it to hold two group 24 deep cycle batteries and to mount in the same place
as the original battery box.
Click on "Images" under my profile and you will be able to see some photos of the
construction and mounting position.
Sam

AS dreams · 03-20-2011, 03:32 AM

Being an "old" farm boy that size battery looks like the size for a John Deere 4010
tractor of which any John Deere Ag deeler would have on his shelf. The battery is not
truely a "deer cycle battery but is made for "seasonal" use, almost a "deep cycle.
The battery name is a "Hibernator"

Lothlorian · 03-20-2011, 04:25 AM

Sam:

Wow that looks great. I would really like to see a picture of it on the trailer. The box looks really professionally fabricated. I wonder how much something like that would cost me to have made? I don't have the know how, time or all the tools to do it.

AS I think that is what I might have bought yesterday. They assured me it would do the job.

Brian