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09-21-2021, 09:19 PM
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#1
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Scout
2019 28' Flying Cloud
Livingston
, Happy Camper, USA
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
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Battle Born Lithium do NOT drop in to battery box
I purchased 2 Battle Born 100 amp Lithium 12V batteries to drop in to my 2019 28’ Flying Cloud battery box. While the dimensions indicate they will fit, there is a lip on two sides of the box that prevents both batteries from sliding in. No amount of tilting or rearranging would get BOTH of them inside.
Has anyone else run in to this problem? BB indicated it would be a no brainer - AND that it would be okay to store them outside as I do not intend to spend any length of time in cold weather.
I am on a tight budget and trying to do this myself. Moving the batteries inside would require wiring far beyond my basic electric 101 capabilities.
Wondering if I can clip the corners where the lip meets the smooth sides and bend the metal back to slide them in and then fold them back down afterwards. I’m afraid this may compromise the structure of the box - or maybe its a way to add a measure of security to lock the box for safekeeping.
Any thoughts?
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09-21-2021, 09:27 PM
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#2
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Battle Born Lithium do NOT drop in to battery box
Remove LP tanks and cover.
Take old batteries out.
Remove battery compartment lid by drilling out rivets. Then remove central rod that holds down batteries (unscrew it)
Cut one side of the lip off using dremel or tool you can rent from Home Depot.
Spray paint a bit so it doesn’t rust.
Drop the first battery in, slide it over. Drop second battery in.
Reattach lid with short metal screws or rivets.
Done.
Many have done this to fit larger batteries in.
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09-21-2021, 09:36 PM
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#3
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Scout
2019 28' Flying Cloud
Livingston
, Happy Camper, USA
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
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Thank you!! I especially appreciate the step by step instructions.
I have never drilled out rivets but I’m sure I can see how to do this on YouTube (I have only replaced ones that fell out).
I used to have a dremel, so I’m familiar with this tool and go rent one to cut the lip on one side.
I looked at unscrewing the center rod, but didn’t see an easy way. It appears “fixed” to the bottom of the box from the underside. I’ll check this again. So I’m assuming this center rod is not required and I don’t have to replace it? Please confirm one way or the other.
How do I reattach the lid, once the rivets are drilled out? Is this similar to installing rivets in the walls of the airstream? Will I need a different tool?
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09-21-2021, 09:39 PM
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#4
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Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
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Battle Born Lithium do NOT drop in to battery box
There should be a bolt welded to the bottom of the battery tray - this is what the rod screws into. You can re-install it after you get the batteries in.
Alternatively, don’t bother - I removed mine and never put it back.
Re attaching the lid - you can rivet it back in. (You would need a small rivet device and a few rivets… they are like $50 bucks or something… handy if you have an airstream [emoji4] )
Alternatively just buy some short metal screws while you are at Home Depot and screw it back down using the rivet holes.
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09-21-2021, 10:00 PM
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#5
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Scout
2019 28' Flying Cloud
Livingston
, Happy Camper, USA
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
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Perfect! I just watched a video on how to remove and reinstall pop rivets. Easy, Peasy.
Speaking of battery tray - - my tray simply lifted it out - there was a hole for the central rod that it threaded through. It was molded on the bottom to fit the lead acid batteries. Do I need to find a new one for the lithium batteries? Or just sit them on the bottom of the box without a tray?
Also If the rod is welded to the bottom how do I remove it?
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09-21-2021, 10:03 PM
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#6
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Scout
2019 28' Flying Cloud
Livingston
, Happy Camper, USA
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
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Oh wait - you said the center rod “unscrews” from the bottom. I didn’t even try that.
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09-22-2021, 09:29 AM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2020 Atlas
Cleveland
, Georgia
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 62
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Don't rent a Dremel. You can buy one much cheaper. Also, be sure to wear goggles when doing surgery on the battery box.
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09-22-2021, 05:27 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1962 26' Overlander
2016 28' Flying Cloud
Defiance
, Missouri
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 70
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The GC2 size 100 ah battleborn batteries fit perfectly in my 2016 28RB battery box with no modifications.
Which batteries are you installing?
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09-22-2021, 05:34 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2016 27' International
Sherwood Park
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,026
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62olander
The GC2 size 100 ah battleborn batteries fit perfectly in my 2016 28RB battery box with no modifications.
Which batteries are you installing?
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Yes, this. I just installed 2 GC2 BB batteries in my 2016 Int. and they fit just fine, and I had room for a shunt and breaker. This is the one that AS is now putting in as a factory option.
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09-22-2021, 05:42 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2016 27' International
Sherwood Park
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,026
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Here is what my install looked like. I only had to make a small mod to the plastic tray on the bottom and get a longer center holdown rod as the one with the original batteries was too short. It just screws into the bottom of the battery box.
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09-22-2021, 07:35 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
McHenry
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,153
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That’s a really nice, clean installation!
__________________
2019 27’ Globetrotter FBT Walnut/Dublin Slate
2018 FC23FB
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Laramie Blue Ox 1000#
WBCCI# 10258
RETIRED!
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09-22-2021, 07:42 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,077
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lion batteries are best kept inside as they do not vent gases
it also keeps them under better thermal control
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09-22-2021, 10:57 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2016 27' International
Sherwood Park
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,026
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waninae39
lion batteries are best kept inside as they do not vent gases
it also keeps them under better thermal control
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That is why I got the heated ones. No need to store inside for temp control.
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09-23-2021, 12:34 AM
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#14
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Scout
2019 28' Flying Cloud
Livingston
, Happy Camper, USA
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
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I wish BB had offered this battery. I wasn’t aware and they sent me the regular BB10012. I will call to see if I can exchange them.
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09-23-2021, 12:36 AM
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#15
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Scout
2019 28' Flying Cloud
Livingston
, Happy Camper, USA
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 52
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So just to confirm - you didn’t have to remove the lip on the edge of the battery box?
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09-23-2021, 05:47 AM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
1962 26' Overlander
2016 28' Flying Cloud
Defiance
, Missouri
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yellowcake
So just to confirm - you didn’t have to remove the lip on the edge of the battery box?
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Confirmed...The GC2s will fit with no modifications. Here is the link on their website:
https://battlebornbatteries.com/prod...kit-1-battery/
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09-23-2021, 07:55 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2016 27' International
Sherwood Park
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,026
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yellowcake
So just to confirm - you didn’t have to remove the lip on the edge of the battery box?
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I can also confirm. I am surprised that Battleborn did not recommend the GC2 as that is what they told me I needed when I ordered.
And, again, the GC2 is the battery that Airstream is putting in the stock battery box at the factory as an option.
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09-23-2021, 10:35 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2022 25' International
Savage
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 753
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Does anyone know if the GC2 BB’s also fit in a 2022 battery box without mods?
__________________
"I've got aluminum fever, and the only prescription, is more AIRSTREAM!!!"
'64 Safari Resoration Blog ("May"):
https://ts8501.blogspot.com/
TAC MN-6
WBCCI/VAC 11736
AIR 25979
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09-23-2021, 11:38 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2016 27' International
Sherwood Park
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,026
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ts8501
Does anyone know if the GC2 BB’s also fit in a 2022 battery box without mods?
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They should fit all battery boxes from 2016 to present.
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09-23-2021, 06:29 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
Driftless Area
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 783
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I just installed a pair of heated BB GC2s into my 2019 Globetrotter 27FBT’s battery box. No modifications to the box or the batteries were necessary. I did remove the plastic tray—the metal plate on the threaded rod holds them in place just fine.
__________________
Airstream adventures and enhancements thread: Traveling with Tatay
Personal blog (photography, travel, woodworking, flyfishing, food): nryn.com
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