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Old 08-05-2008, 02:55 PM   #1
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6 Volts

HI folks,

I tried this in the general category before, so I apologize for any repeated thread, but...

Here is my plan. I am going to make a new try for the house battery.

right now, it is as high up as the top of the frame. It's location, aft of the rear axel is not a spot that is going to bottom out... probably ever. So I am thinking of making the tray wider and have it dip down about 2", still higher than the bottom of the frame.

Why? Ah, the kicker - 4 6V batteries, run as 12V. Enough juice to run a full size RV for a few days. Can't tell you how sick I am of watching half a movie and having the damn thing shut off, or camping for a day or two, opening the fridge and finding my beer is luke-cool. I digress...

Any body attempt a mod like this before? I'll be sure to post a few pics when I get around to doing this.

thanks.

Mike

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Old 08-05-2008, 10:54 PM   #2
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Mike, SMB added another tray in mine and I now sport twin 4-D's. I'll try for some pics. It's basically some channel mounted between the frame in front of the XL storage box. Is that what your after?
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Old 08-06-2008, 11:33 AM   #3
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Exactly - yes, pics please.

Figure I will have my buddy make the tray, and then get a couple of those spare tire pully things that go under trucks to raise and lower it. Bolt it in place when in the up position.

damn - don't cha think sportsmoble would just offer this up as another option?

twin 4-D's. Nice....

Mike


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Originally Posted by daveb
Mike, SMB added another tray in mine and I now sport twin 4-D's. I'll try for some pics. It's basically some channel mounted between the frame in front of the XL storage box. Is that what your after?
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Old 08-06-2008, 08:55 PM   #4
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There is a thread somewhere on thie same topic of battery trays....

Here are the photos of ours









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Old 08-06-2008, 10:56 PM   #5
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Yup, perfect, thanks.

figure I'll buy the batteries, buy the steal, and show up at my buddies shop.

hey pal, feel like making something, here are some pics!

Thanks much.

Mike
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Old 08-07-2008, 06:37 PM   #6
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Better make sure you have the room. SMB told me some vans don't have the room. Also you might be able to buy the tray...wait everything on a SMB cost 500 bucks Better make them yourself.
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Old 08-08-2008, 03:11 PM   #7
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Got the tape meaure out.

I was trying to talk them into it some time back, figure they wanted me to be the guinnie pig.

Thinking about the optima batteries now, actually. they are deep cycle and 12v, so they do not sit as high.


I think I can sqeeze two of these in there, may have to move/change the support a bit, but they are short, and seem pretty bullet proof.

http://www.optima-batterien.eu/uploads/ ... _42_en.pdf
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Old 08-09-2008, 08:21 AM   #8
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If you go after Optima batteries. make sure you know what you are getting.

Optima batteries have been dramtically de-rated in the last number of years. They are NOT what they used to be.

The Yellow-tops used to be THE battery, and they are nothing like what they used to be.
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Old 08-09-2008, 10:34 AM   #9
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Why don't you go with a 4D type battery? A single 4D 210 AH should do much better than 2 optima’s @ 110 AH. If you want a little more go with an 8D but maybe you don't use that much juice during the night. I found a single 4D didn't cut it and added another. At any route, I would design the tray to fit a standard 4D just in case you want to do a change. You might be able to run multiple single batteries if you wish also.
Optima blue top:
8" high
7.75" wide
10.25" long

Lifeline 4D:
9" high
9'"wide
20" long

You also have to consider the box to put them in and the buss work.
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Old 08-10-2008, 04:26 PM   #10
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is the lifeline 4D what came with the van?

I guess, the single reason I do not want that one again is it sucked from day 1!!

Optima, at least, what I am familiar with, has a pretty good record of holding it's charge. I think I will go with two bluetop optima's this time around. It will be the solar panel, in all honesty, that will make the difference.

OK, change in topic, which panels

Thanks much for your $0.02 though, this forum is a great place to educate oneself.

Mike
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