'72 Safari: Battery placement

[Debnw]

All,

Just finishing up the total rewiring on our 72 Safari...The question is should I use the original battery compartment? 14ft away from the new powder converter location in the front of the trailer. OR make a new battery box and place it behind the Propane tanks and the distance would be about 8ft.
The original compartment is contained (ie not in living space) so all I wouild do is run the wire in conduit on the belly pan.

Thoughts!!!!

[Joe Palmieri]

Not sure what you mean by "contained". Is it in a compartment within the outside trailer skin that is supposed to be sealed from the living space or in a totally separate battery box outside? I personally prefer the batteries in a separate compartment in the front of the trailer.

[Debnw]

Joe,
after reading... let me clarify.....Our 72 Safari has a battery compartment in the curbside at the rear of the trailer. It is 90% under the floor and has a hard plastic cover that is screwed and sealed to the floor.
When rewiring I installed the new converter up front on the side of the Goucho. So....my thought was I have two options for the battery placement. The original compartment and I will run the battery wires thru conduit aling the belly pan....that distance is 14 ft. The other option is what most have today the box just behind the Propane tanks. WHile I like that option i will need to move the tanks forward slightly to allow the battery box to fit. Especially if I do 2-6 volt batteries. This distance would be a lil shorter, approx 8 ft. The manfacture of the converter (Parallex 7300) tells me that the distance is not an issue as long as the appropiate wire size in used.

Bruce

[Joe Palmieri]

Bruce,

I guess it comes down to how much work you want to do. I would prefer the two six volt batteries up front behind the propane tanks. It gives you more amp hours and frees up the rear compartment for more storage. It may cost a few bucks to have a battery box fabricated unless you have the facilities to do it yourself but I think it will pay off in the long run with the extra battery capacity. The distance shouldn't be the deciding factor. If the propane bottle tray is welded to the trailer tongue it will be a little more difficult to move but not impossible. Still worth the effort in my opinion.

[Debnw]

joe,
THanks!!!I do have some flat stainless and can put a box together. I'll have to take off the Tank ring and see how far I can move it forward without interferring with the tongue jack. I'll post a couple of picks next week when i finish up....

[Tom Nugler]

The gas bottles clear the manual jack handle by 2 inches. Depending on what type of electric jack, 6-8.
Don’t forget moving the propane tanks will require mods to the tank hold-down/regulator mounting.
I’ve never had an issue with the rear battery box as far as venting and charging gases go. The cover in the coach is sealed well to the floor and inner skin.
Do you still have the Gaucho up front? Batteries up front, vented through tubing to the outside like the ‘60s trailers may be an option.

Tom