battery issues??!

[lp5151]

I currently have 4-6 volt golf cart batteries in our '08 36' Southwind 36D. 2 of the batteries are under the steps and the other 2 are in the storage compartment to the left of the steps. the 2 in the storage compartment are very hard to check the water levels.... there is a huge amount of space between the grille and radiator. I am thinking about moving all four batteries to this area...due to the amount of open space, I don't see a problem with excess heat and if placed in battery boxes, there shouldn't be a problem with them getting wet. anyone see a flaw in my thinking...???

positives: (1) i get back my storage compartment and pick up some more storage under the steps.
(2) the weight is transfered to the front axle, which has room for up to 2K.
also, (3) there is an battery charger/inverter in the same storage compartment that 2 of the batteries are currently in. I wouldn't move it.

[Ray,IN]

Sounds like a plan to me. I would insure any wiring/cables are of sufficient size to carry any expected load for the involved distance. This 12V wire size calculator http://carpc.kyferez.com/Tools/Elect...WireVDrop.html
will help with properly sizing cables and wires.

[RV Wizard]

I concur, go for it!

[wa8yxm]

First you should NEVER have flooded wet cells and electronics in the same air space without some serious venting.. Your plan will move the flooded wet cells from where they should not be to a place with serious venting.. Thus it's good from a chemical standpoint.

As for the weight transfer.. You would have to supply a lot more info before I could even attempt the math, But if you have the capacity on the front.. Go For It would be my adivce

[Wayne M]

I have the same problem on checking water levels so I purchased this

BATTERY FILLER

and I can now get my hands and the filler in to fill the batteris. This filler has an automatic shut of, so to speak, and will not overfill the batteries.

[lp5151]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm First you should NEVER have flooded wet cells and electronics in the same air space without some serious venting.. Your plan will move the flooded wet cells from where they should not be to a place with serious venting.. Thus it's good from a chemical standpoint. As for the weight transfer.. You would have to supply a lot more info before I could even attempt the math, But if you have the capacity on the front.. Go For It would be my adivce

i've got actual weights for the front axle, as well as RF and LF. i have over 2500# to "play with". having the inverter and batteries in the same compartment is not a good idea, but a local RV dealer thought it was OK...one of the reasons I no longer use them.

[lp5151]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M I have the same problem on checking water levels so I purchased this BATTERY FILLER and I can now get my hands and the filler in to fill the batteris. This filler has an automatic shut of, so to speak, and will not overfill the batteries.

Wayne M, do you know what the vertical height is for this filler? It looks like it may be to tall to fill the batteries i currently have in the storage compartment, OK for the batteries under the entry steps.

[Troubleshooter]

Our last Class A RV had the coach battery between the radiator and the front bumper, and the only problem was it being a PITA to service and install/remove.
In regards to the problems checking the fluid level of your batteries.
We had that problem with our current unit, and the solution was to install a pair of Pro Fill Battery Watering Systems.
Pro Fill System
Six years running, and nothing but praise for the Pro Fill system.
On Edit: In addition to the Pro Fill you will also need the pump. I forgot about it.

Bill
2002 Discovery 37T

[ATVr]

I am not too familiar with MHs, but from the OP, the problem seems rather simple to solve. Instead of moving batteries or putting up with the difficult watering situation, why not just switch to an AGM type battery? They never need water, can mount at any angle and everything stays clean. I happen to use 6 Lifeline 6 volt units rated at 220 AH/20 hr. rate, but there are several brands. Just a suggestion.

[Carvin Marvin]

I added two batteries in front below radiator level on my 2002 SW W-22. Very accessable and you only need a short cable to reach the power distribution box. Marv

[lp5151]

thanks, looks like thats what i will do, move the 2 batteries that are currenty in a storage compartment to the front of my rig.

thanks, carvin