Coach Battery Tray

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:53 pm

We are using two Trojan T125s in our new EZ Glide tray and have had no problems with checking the electrolyte in the batteries. We have a 2005 24RB.
Steve

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:36 pm

Ralph - You better wait for the electrician - unions are usually associated with plumbing

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:44 pm

thats allot of amp hours - how much do these cost? - we all know 6v last longer and are tougher

Mike Jean Bandfield · Post by **Mike Jean Bandfield** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 6:13 pm

After 9 years I recently got a new set of coach batteries from Costco. When I lifted a battery from the tray I felt the top of the battery flex at the corner as if it were coming off. The glue holding it had failed. 'Could have been a serious accident! The second battery was worse. My aha moment came when I realized this explains the yearly cleaning session with lots of baking soda, holey jeans and tee shirts and all the corrosion in the battery compartment over the years. I had thought the battery cap vents were misting under charge or not sealing properly because everything seemed to be coated with acid.

I got 2 new 6 volts from Costco, cleaned the corrosion from the old tray, painted it with spray Rustoleum, replaced the slides with 200#, 16", full extension slides (~$50) and added a 10" extension to the positive cables. The old tray has several areas where the corrosion has completely eaten through the steel; however it remains structurally capable of supporting the new batteries and the connections to the slides so I did not replace it.

The positive electrode had 2 cables with heavy duty lugs attached. I crimped a new copper lug to each end of my extension and bolted one end to the 2 existing cable lugs and covered the splice with heavy duty heat shrink wrap. The lugs used are equivalent to the lugs used on the OEM cables from the factory. I'm not concerned that this splice contributes anymore risk than any of the other lugged cable ends used in this Born Free.

The automotive sales tech at Costco told me the Costco batteries were Interstate even though they weren't labeled. The original batteries from BF were also Interstate. I hope the new ones stay sealed!

See pictures for details.

Trix · Post by **Trix** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:29 pm

I have two 6V AGM batteries, 300 amp hours. Installed at AM Solar when I had the solar panels put on.

They took out the old battery tray and put the AGM's on their side. They built a wood frame around them so they don't slide around. I can take a picture once it stops raining if anyone is interested.

Love my solar panels and my AGM batteries.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:46 pm

Trix - I am interested - I assume the 300 AH is the combination of the two? - Thanx, Ray

tomzleapin · Post by **tomzleapin** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:28 pm

Keep in mind that for 6 volt batteries when connected in series that the voltage doubles but the amp-hour rating remains the same. So, two 6 volt 300ah batteries will produce 12 volts 300ah.

Trix · Post by **Trix** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:32 pm

OK, I hope this works. I think I have the image resized to fit correctly.

BTW, these are 6V 300 AH each, so total of 300 AH capacity in 12V system. The batteries are Lifeline GPL-6CT. http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvflyer.php?id=15

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sat Jun 21, 2014 2:51 pm

Trix - Thanks

Nice fit with room to spare

I have 12v now but someday want to get solar panels (which I dont know much about) and I am thinking 6V is the way to go when I do that..

I wasn't thinking straight on the amperage - Got it now.

So right now I am just compiling ideas/suggestions

Thanks again, Ray

oliverpsmile · Post by **oliverpsmile** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:17 am

Trix

I seems to me that the water ports and electrical connections side of your batteries should be in horizontal position.

tomzleapin · Post by **tomzleapin** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:03 am

The batteries are AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). AGM batteries are sealed and can be mounted in any position except upside down. They are similar to a gel battery.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:45 pm

Tom

Yes similar - But we were always told gel had to be mounted upright - I could be wrong ????

Trix · Post by **Trix** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:15 pm

AGM's are the only ones that can go on their sides. Except now that I think about it, dunno about lithium. Can't afford 'em anyway

tomzleapin · Post by **tomzleapin** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:41 am

Ray wrote:Tom

Yes similar - But we were always told gel had to be mounted upright - I could be wrong ????

Ray, I did some searching on the net and the general consensus seems to be that mounting a gel battery on its side can reduce capacity by up to 10%. Gel batteries are not recommended for RV use because they can be permanently damaged if charged at too high of current, such as from the vehicle alternator.

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:02 am

Good info Tom.

Born Free Factory should make their battery compartment taller to accommodate the 6 volt golf cart batteries.
On my 2011, these batteries are not an option due to height limitations of the battery compartment.
Even with the battery rack removed, these batteries would not fit.

Just wish I had the option, thats all.
Besides AGM laid on their sides.