2001 Adventurer 37G - Replacing batteries

[Shiba_Alex]

Hey Guys:

I am ramping up for my solar install and am looking at replacing the existing batteries that came with the coach (2001 Adventurer 37G) when I bought it. I would be replacing two (2) Exide 12 volt batteries with four (4) 6 volt batteries to put into the existing battery compartment under the stairs. I have seen a few pictures where people have put in 4 batteries in the compartment, but I have measured that space and can't find any 6 volt that would fit side by side.

Also, for anyone that has done this with the same kind of compartment, did you move the positive stud out of the way or did you leave in place and force the batteries in?

Finally, there is a little lip in the front that limits the front to back space to about 14".

I'm pretty sure it can be done, as evidenced by the other posters. Just looking to get a confirmation from the group and if there was any strengthening of the compartment that had to be done because of the additional weight.

Thanks
Alex

[Jim_HiTek]

I've read were some have gotten around this problem but getting a taller 6 volt battery. Only works if you have headroom in the battery compartment. Then over the years I've read several times of people beefing up their compartments with extra steel, extending or widening the existing compartment, adding pull out drawers, and others that found a new space to put additional batteries.



So keep searching the various forums for ideas. Something is bound to work for your situation.

[Shiba_Alex]

There is about 11-12 inches of headroom in there before it hits the stairs. I'm seeing the normal height of 6 volt batteries to be about 9.5 inches if you go about 200-250ah. I would think that some beefing up of the compartment would be needed but wanted to see how other people have done it before I go about fiddling with it.

[Arizona]

I have the same coach. I don’t know if you’ve had it on the scale yet, mine is pretty close to max weight. I’m thinking of doing lithium for the weight savings. Another idea is to buy another set of sealed batteries and relocate to a basement area.
Good luck

[John Hilley]

I have two motorhomes, a 1999 Brave and a 2003 Adventurer. I was able to install 4 6 volt batteries and the chassis battery on the battery tray in the Brave , but not in the Adventurer. The Adventurer lacked about 1/2" in width. A friend with a 2005 Adventurer found the same. He relocated the chassis battery to the front in the engine compartment and then was able to install 4 GC2 6 volt batteries. He just bought a new motorhome and had the same problem. He decided to put an AGM chassis battery in the compartment behind the door. Worked out nicely. He also installed the solar controller and inverter in that compartment.

[Shiba_Alex]

I have had it weighed (not 4 corner) and saw that I was about 500 pounds light of the limit on the front axle and about 2200 pounds light on the rear axle. I thought about moving the chassis battery to the engine compartment but I am trying to make things as simple as I can.

The whole reason for the quantity of 6 volt batteries is to make sure that I don't run out of juice overnight. That might be overkill as I will have the solar for sunny days charging the batteries and the generator if needed on cloudy days.

[lwasouth]

Had a 31 ft Adventurer with batteries under step. Originally came with 2 12 volt, group 27 batteries. I replaced with 3 group 31 under step.

AGM (NAPA) batteries made by "East Penn Mfg" On next coach 35FT Adventurer 35U batteries were in a compartment by the engine. Likewise used Group 31 AGM because the original batteries had to be removed to add water.

AGM batteries cost about $60 more than regular, but last longer and don't run out of water. Our newer diesel uses 6 coach and 2 engine batteries - All AGM group 31

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Shiba_Alex

There is about 11-12 inches of headroom in there before it hits the stairs. I'm seeing the normal height of 6 volt batteries to be about 9.5 inches if you go about 200-250ah. I would think that some beefing up of the compartment would be needed but wanted to see how other people have done it before I go about fiddling with it.

I just measured my GC2 6 volt batteries. They are almost 11" to the top of the terminals.

Exide, Interstate and NAPA all state that their 6 volt deep cycle batteries are close to 11" high.

[Shiba_Alex]

I was thinking about doing 3 Group 31 batteries as an alternative. That goes into the whole 6 volt vs 12 volt debate. Right now, I am trying to keep it on the cheaper side. I don't want to go too cheap that I am getting crap quality, but don't want to go to the Rolls Royce of batteries either. Weight is always going to be an issue. Since the existing exide batteries are about 50 pounds and I would be replacing those with at least two new batteries, they would be like for like weight. If I add an additional group 31 battery, that would be added weight but weight that I can manage. I need to lose some anyways.

Currently the capacity that I have with the existing batteries has been fine for light overnight usage, but now that I have been looking at the article "The 12 volt side of things", the batteries were probably wired the wrong way and only using one batteries capacity. (+ to - to each battery but + and - to/from the coach were on one battery and not + on battery A and - on battery B)

[Shiba_Alex]

Twinboat:

I was going from memory and it's clear for about 5 minutes and then hazy after that. There have been too much that I have been looking at that I may have mistaken. Thanks for the correction.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Shiba_Alex

I was thinking about doing 3 Group 31 batteries as an alternative. That goes into the whole 6 volt vs 12 volt debate. Right now, I am trying to keep it on the cheaper side. I don't want to go too cheap that I am getting crap quality, but don't want to go to the Rolls Royce of batteries either. Weight is always going to be an issue. Since the existing exide batteries are about 50 pounds and I would be replacing those with at least two new batteries, they would be like for like weight. If I add an additional group 31 battery, that would be added weight but weight that I can manage. I need to lose some anyways.

Currently the capacity that I have with the existing batteries has been fine for light overnight usage, but now that I have been looking at the article "The 12 volt side of things", the batteries were probably wired the wrong way and only using one batteries capacity. (+ to - to each battery but + and - to/from the coach were on one battery and not + on battery A and - on battery B)

Don't worry about the battery A to B wiring. Probably a immeasurable difference unless your drawing maximum amps.

[winniman]

I had the 2000 37g. There was no way you would be putting 4 house batteries under the stairs in that coach. How about instead of four batteries, just buy two bigger high end ones. I only had two house batteries, and I could run my furnace for one and a half nights. I couldnt quite make the second night without running the genny in the day to charge back up. Other than that, I didnt find any problems. I usually run the generator for a few hours in the morning while cooking breakfast, and a few hours at night. Obviously, if at a campground with electricity, no problem at all.

[tderonne]

I have four GC2s and my chassis battery under the step in my '04 F53 based Adventurer. Chassis battery is in the middle. I think my Mom's '01 battery area is the same as mine.

Mine is very tight, and I did move the wire lug, but I made it all fit. I wonder if there aren't differences in year/chassis/model that make some units not have enough room? I need to go back through some threads myself (I put a post in the mods thread with a picture and link if you didn't see that) and look at Mom's, see if there are some obvious differences to be seen.

[sgordo88]

I am curious what you finally did, Alex.