What steps are needed to move batteries inside?

[Biker]

Just took a look at the wiring diagram and mine is definitely wired backwards ( not that I was doubting Lewster! ). Next time I have the bed apart maybe I'll switch them around. Sorry for the bad info.

[SCOTTinNJ]

All good. Still works backward I suppose. My issue was on the negative side.

[OTRA15]

Thanks Scott for the link to here in the EV thread.

Do you know how much your tongue weight changed when you installed the Lithium batteries and removed the OEM? Sorry if you have stated this here, but I did not see it on a quick read.

Thanks,

Peter

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Thanks Scott for the link to here in the EV thread.

Do you know how much your tongue weight changed when you installed the Lithium batteries and removed the OEM? Sorry if you have stated this here, but I did not see it on a quick read.

Thanks,

Peter

Peter, sorry don't know. It may not be as much as one would think because I went to 3 batteries from 2 and added other equipment like a solar charger.

I will say the lithium batteries are lighter per battery than the lead acid they replaced.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Total weight may not have been a big change. Tongue weight is impacted by the "balance" of the weight in the trailer. Since AS puts the big heavy stock batteries out on the A frame, they are way away from the axles. The majority of their weight goes to the tongue. Fiddling with the battery location likely will impact tongue weight.

Why is it worth asking about? The normal approach these days is to try for about 10% of the trailer weight on the tongue. That number has changed a bit over the years so you will see a range of numbers if you go back far enough. The reasoning is that it improves control and keeps the TV firmly planted on the ground.

There also is the practical issue of the trailer tipping back when a bunch of (heavy) occupants all run to the rear of the trailer. You don't hear a lot about that happening, but it does indeed occur .... don't ask how I know ...(If it happens, you probably are running pretty light tongue weight....). Yet another reason to always deploy the stabilizer jacks when unhooked from the TV.

Bob

[Gsmblue]

Originally Posted by Biker

The wire on right goes to the stock bus bar. Here is a picture of mine for reference.
Attachment 287560

I like the layout of your wiring so much, I am pulling apart my nest of wires, increasing the area where the bus bars etc are attached and trying to copy yours!

Hopefully I can even get to 50% of how neat yours is!!

P.S - If anyone in the Bend, OR area wants to help me, I have a fridge full of beer on standby!!!

[SCOTTinNJ]

Good luck. Wire first drink second.

[Ddobier]

Originally Posted by Soyboy

I have a pair of Trojan T-105 batteries on the tongue of my trailer. I had a wider tray welded up by a friend and bought a poly battery box in which to store them. They sit end to end. An aluminum box would be nicer, but this one works out well for me and the Trojans work well with my solar set up.

Hello. Saw your old post. Wondering if you've ever thought of adding more batteries up front with a bigger box? I have this idea in my head to have two lithium where the current batteries are and then a box like yours that holds four more. Worried about weight and lithium's outside though.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Four Lithium's weigh about the same as two typical lead acid's. You get 4X the usable amp hours for the same weight.

Outdoors wise .... yup .. that is worth thinking about. If it's below about 32F they aren't going to charge. Drop another 10 degrees and discharge is not a real good idea either. Two indoors and two outdoors was my solution to that dilemma.

Bob

[Squid]

Hello
I just put two Trojans under my bed on my 27 Overlander, I bought the Water easy fill which caps the vent and ran the hose under trailer. Thoughts?

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Squid

Hello
I just put two Trojans under my bed on my 27 Overlander, I bought the Water easy fill which caps the vent and ran the hose under trailer. Thoughts?

Trojan lead acid batteries? That you’ve gotta put water in? You can’t do. That! NO Really! YOU CANT DO THAT! Those batteries CANNOT be inside your trailer. Safety? What happens when they leak or boil over (and they will). What about sulfating and Hydrogen gas?

[Squid]

Well I guess I screwed up. Can I use sealed batteries?..

[rmkrum]

Sealed AGM or lithium batteries are safe to install inside. If you put those flooded batteries in a sealed enclosure with a separate venting system to the outside it’s ok as well. Just be sure to strap them down and protect their terminals from shorting out to the aluminum or anything you might store near them.

I have the same battery watering system. The caps have conventional vents that are the possible source of hydrogen when charging. The water hose only allows water to flow into the cells. It’s a great system for maintaining the water level, but it won’t vent outside like you thought it will.

My batteries are two flooded deep cycle 6-volt GC-2 beasts from Sam’s Club in a plastic box on the A-frame outside. For that use the watering system is perfect because they are hard to get to with all the other stuff I have mounted out there. My power WD jack system makes it real hard to get the cover completely off the battery box. This way I just slide the cover toward one side and hook up the water pump bulb then pump a couple times to fill all the cells.

Most of my charging is through an MPPT solar controller with a temperature sensor in the battery box. The batteries use a few ounces of water at most each month in hot weather. I suspect it’s mostly evaporation caused by our hot desert climate.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Squid

Well I guess I screwed up. Can I use sealed batteries?..

AGM or lithium batteries can be used in enclosed spaces.

[Squid]

So I just ordered two LIFELINE AGM GPL-4CT... Will fit in the existing battery box’s and should be good to go? Wanted the GPL-6CT but to tall.
Will sell the Trojans on Craig’s

[Bkarcement]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

Success! Thanks everyone.

Attachment 287337

Good morning,
I know you did this project years ago but do you still have all the photos you used in your original post? Thanks so much.