Battery Box Fixes

[bgilly]

I've read some good tips on this forum and I thought to share some of my fixes already made.

It started when I pulled my battery cover off on the 3171DS and noticed one end of the hold down strap was loose. The end cleat had somehow popped loose. I went ahead and pulled the batteries out and cleaned the bottom of the box then sprayed it with spray-in truckbed liner. I then set in a sheet of rubber mat, the same used in a toolbox drawer.
I also found the bottom wire passage hole opened. It was foam sealed but it came loose. I installed a rubber grommet plug and sealed with urethane caulk.


I re-installed the batteries and then connected up my BatteryMINDer on-board battery conditioner. I have used the BatteryMINDer with great success in the past. It works at conditioning both batteries since the batteries are connected parallel.
Once the hold down strap was installed I put a bead of urethane caulk on the outside of the battery box where the cleats push through. This will hold the cleats onto the battery box sidewall when the hold down strap is loosened.
I buttoned the battery box back up and removed the battery isolator cover to check the terminations. When I removed the thumbscrew, I dropped one and it rolled under the coach. Not wanting to have this happen when camping I placed o-rings on the thumbscrew thread once they were inserted into the cover plate. This will hold the thumbscrew in place when the cover plate is removed.

Bobby

[BigJohnD]

Good job on that upgrade. Always good to know its done exactly how you want. Gives you some peace of mind. I don't think I've ever gotten "through" with upgrading or modifying stuff. Every time i turn around i find something i want to change. Everything on a RV could stand to be a little better.

[ATVer]

Bgilly, Sounds like you really sealed up the battery box. Hopefully you left a vent path somewhere to prevent hydrogen gas buildup unless you have sealed batteries. My factory batteries were not.

[bgilly]

Originally Posted by ATVer

Bgilly, Sounds like you really sealed up the battery box. Hopefully you left a vent path somewhere to prevent hydrogen gas buildup unless you have sealed batteries. My factory batteries were not.

My batteries are sealed but there is some venting allowances just so the heat can escape. Sealing the holes was more to keep moisture from the road travel out as well as the rodents.

Bobby

[ETF]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Everything on a RV could stand to be a little better.

Isn't that the truth.