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Wanderr · 03-15-2023, 01:14 PM

Just got off the phone with BB. They said this is the battery they sell to Airstream but it looks like the wrong shape to me.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/prod...cycle-battery/

This is the one I thought was required - more the shape and size of the lead acids.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/prod...cycle-battery/

Which is the correct one for a 2023 FC25RBT?

For those who have BB's installed, did you get a smart shunt battery monitor or do you use the stock AS battery monitor?

Thanks

field & stream · 03-15-2023, 02:37 PM

If you want to be certain about your installation, measure your battery box and compare to BB dimension specs. Other people’s installation may or may not be the same.

You can be certain about this: You can not really know what the state of charge of lithium batteries without a smart shunt. You can also monitor activity and learn a lot about the power demands of the various appliances in your trailer. Invaluable, and fun!

jnm30327 · 03-15-2023, 02:50 PM

Another tip: when you measure the battery box, look at fit with batteries rotated 90 degrees from the original factory position.

Slimpockets · 03-15-2023, 02:56 PM

The BB battery is bigger than the ones I removed. I had to cut the forward lip off the battery box after removing the lid. I left a tab in the middle to rivet the lid back on. They are also taller. I got them in but had to put the shunt inside the trailer.

field & stream · 03-15-2023, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slimpockets

The BB battery is bigger than the ones I removed. I had to cut the forward lip off the battery box after removing the lid. I left a tab in the middle to rivet the lid back on. They are also taller. I got them in but had to put the shunt inside the trailer.

The above is an illustration of my point in my earlier comment above: neither of you have specified the size of your battery boxes ….. and Airstream has increased the size of the “standard” battery box over time. OP: YOUR measurements are needed to answer YOUR question.

Slimpockets · 03-15-2023, 05:02 PM

Product Dimensions: 12.76 X 6.86 X 8.95 in. (L x W x H) That’s from the BB website. Without being at the trailer I would say my bat box is 13.5” long and 10” high. To get the 13.5 I had to cut off most of the lip that the lid attaches to.

Wanderr · 03-16-2023, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by field & stream

The above is an illustration of my point in my earlier comment above: neither of you have specified the size of your battery boxes ….. and Airstream has increased the size of the “standard” battery box over time. OP: YOUR measurements are needed to answer YOUR question.

The trailer hasn't been built yet.

Wanderr · 03-16-2023, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slimpockets

Product Dimensions: 12.76 X 6.86 X 8.95 in. (L x W x H) That’s from the BB website. Without being at the trailer I would say my bat box is 13.5” long and 10” high. To get the 13.5 I had to cut off most of the lip that the lid attaches to.

Thanks for that.

The thing is that BB says AS is using the battery in the OP. Do you think dealers are altering all the battery boxes on new trailers to install these batteries?

Slimpockets · 03-16-2023, 03:42 AM

I would think the battery fits in the box of new trailers. I’m just guessing on that. My 2005 is my first and only trailer.

field & stream · 03-16-2023, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderr

The trailer hasn't been built yet.

Well, that makes it more difficult to go measure! I suggest you call Airstream customer support at the factory to get solid answers to your questions: (877) 596-6111

GOUSC · 03-16-2023, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderr

Just got off the phone with BB. They said this is the battery they sell to Airstream but it looks like the wrong shape to me.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/prod...cycle-battery/

This is the one I thought was required - more the shape and size of the lead acids.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/prod...cycle-battery/

Which is the correct one for a 2023 FC25RBT?

For those who have BB's installed, did you get a smart shunt battery monitor or do you use the stock AS battery monitor?

Thanks

I have a 2018 27’ Globetrotter and the GC2 is the one for my model and the one others have installed w/o modification. If you get the 10012 you will have to trim off the lip of your battery box to get it to fit.

I went thru the process of figuring this out in Feb and found a link to an Airstream site to confirm this but don’t have the link anymore. I also confirmed with others that have done the conversion in a globetrotter. GMFL ( Ronnie Dennis with Airstream Nuts & Bolts) also confirmed this for me thru a friend who is having Ronnie do solar and battery work on his 2023 Classic). I know the GC2’s come in the battery box for a 2023 Classic and will fit in the battery box of my 2018 Globetrotter.

Having said all that, I don’t know if your battery box is different than mine. Airstream should be able to confirm what BB has told you.

thewarden · 03-16-2023, 08:47 AM

This is the correct battery for Airstream. I installed 2 of them in the battery box, along with a Victron shunt. They fit perfectly. https://battlebornbatteries.com/prod...cycle-battery/

The additional fuse you see on the left is for the Victron 12-12-30 DC/DC charger.

tkowalyk · 03-16-2023, 09:16 AM

Not directly related, but after some research, we decided to go with 2 of the large format BB batteries, and mount them under the curb side bed, with access from the outside storage. We lost some storage, but after some reorganizing, still store our water and electrical accessories in the same compartment. We gained some space by installing a hardwired Progressive Industries 50 AMP EMS inside - actually where the old Boondocker converter was installed. We installed the shunt on the wall just above the nightstand between the twin beds.

RJMarquar · 03-16-2023, 10:59 AM

I have a 1998 Excella and Lion Battery fits fine. Nothing against BB - I have them in my class C. I have the Lion Safari UT 1300 and fits fine with no mods. Very light weight.

Sport 16 STL · 03-16-2023, 11:15 AM

Check out Renogy. Exactly same size as 12volt lead acid and has built in Bluetooth monitoring with a phone app.

Wanderr · 03-16-2023, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewarden

This is the correct battery for Airstream. I installed 2 of them in the battery box, along with a Victron shunt. They fit perfectly. https://battlebornbatteries.com/prod...cycle-battery/

The additional fuse you see on the left is for the Victron 12-12-30 DC/DC charger.

Thanks for that. I saw a youtube video today of a conversion and your setup is very similar to the video.

Now I know the GC2H's are the correct battery.

Would you have a parts list of the items needed for this conversion?

thewarden · 03-16-2023, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanderr

Thanks for that. I saw a youtube video today of a conversion and your setup is very similar to the video.

Now I know the GC2H's are the correct battery.

Would you have a parts list of the items needed for this conversion?

For the battery conversion, I used the stock wiring. I did increase the size of the jumper cables from the stock ones, 4 AWG if I remember correctly, and 1/0 for the ground from the battery to the shunt.

I also had to get a longer piece of threaded rod for the battery hold down as the stock one was too short for the taller BBs.

Here is a list of the rest of the parts that made up the addition of the shunt and DC/DC charger. I understand that Victron now makes a waterproof/resistant shunt if installed in the battery box. I just put a thin weather seal around the lip of the lid, and I have had no moisture-related issues with the shunt going on 3 years. If I do, I will replace it with the waterproof version.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZKG396Y...JZ98E5VQWSB066
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0856PHNLX...2EWVABXX3PW9GP
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LP0J2M0...S6BYYD3GYW638W one red and one black for the DC/DC charger install
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07T354FR4?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_4PT0T3G12A4 DAPZG4CMDpsc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_ANS27PVECWXCQ 988SMW2[/url]
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T4HK647...QEFJBJ1J9504RG

Wanderr · 03-17-2023, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewarden

For the battery conversion, I used the stock wiring. I did increase the size of the jumper cables from the stock ones, 4 AWG if I remember correctly, and 1/0 for the ground from the battery to the shunt.

I also had to get a longer piece of threaded rod for the battery hold down as the stock one was too short for the taller BBs.

Here is a list of the rest of the parts that made up the addition of the shunt and DC/DC charger. I understand that Victron now makes a waterproof/resistant shunt if installed in the battery box. I just put a thin weather seal around the lip of the lid, and I have had no moisture-related issues with the shunt going on 3 years. If I do, I will replace it with the waterproof version.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZKG396Y...JZ98E5VQWSB066
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0856PHNLX...2EWVABXX3PW9GP
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LP0J2M0...S6BYYD3GYW638W one red and one black for the DC/DC charger install
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07T354FR4?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_4PT0T3G12A4 DAPZG4CMDpsc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_ANS27PVECWXCQ 988SMW2[/url]
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T4HK647...QEFJBJ1J9504RG

Hey thewarden, thanks for all the detail... really appreciate it.

The more I understand about installing these batteries, the less I want to tackle it. If I had the trailer in hand and had a few days to measure and figure and acquire I'd do it myself. But sight unseen is a bit intimidating.

The dealer said they have an install kit but it comes with the batteries when they buy them. It includes a smart shunt. They were going to check to see if they can get just the kit without the batts. If so, I'll have them install them. If not, I'll do the motorcycle battery routine to get it home where I'll have a bit more time to scope it all out.

Thanks again all.

JeffKim · 03-17-2023, 04:21 PM

We're getting our GT 25' FBT in another few weeks. In anticipation I've been down the battery rabbit hole for a while. Yours is an RBT so maybe not relevant but this thread has a lot of useful information to ponder:https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ss-238016.html. There are a few installation examples in the thread with different degrees of difficulty depending on what the modifications are trying to accomplish.

One thing is that installing with a SmartShunt (and I assume you will run into the same problem) is that the inverter and the main battery cable run off the battery. So, they have to be combined in the battery box and the waterproof version of the shunt used or the wiring has to be combined and upgraded back to the negative bus bar and while doing that it's probably best to move the batteries. I concur with what many have said here that you really need the shunt but unfortunately, it's not as simple as dropping in the new batteries and connecting the shunt.

Wanderr · 03-18-2023, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffKim

... this thread has a lot of useful information to ponder:https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ss-238016.html.

JeffKim,

Thanks for that link. It was an eye opener!

I've got to assume my dealer will install my BB's with a rats nest of wires like in this post as that's the wiring they have to work with, given to them by the mothership.

I don't want to redo all that so I'll bring mine home, take the time and do the install myself. I can see a bus bar is sorely needed to get all the fused accessory wires off the batteries.

Thanks again, really appreciate it.