Battery Slide Maintenance--how to get the slide out?

[CaptPat]

Had some battery electrolyte spill out onto to the slide tray, so I want to remove the tray clean it up and re-paint it. Is there any trick to getting just the tray out? I looked and couldn't find a release--I think it's made by Kwikee. I could un-bolt the whole assembly but I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Thanks

[GaryKD]

Hi CaptPat,
If you scrub the tray with baking soda and water that should be enough. Let it set before rinsing. Once dry, spray the tray with the rust prevention spray of your choice. I looked at my tray and it is like yours. I would be a cold day in your know where before I ever got my tray out.

[palehorse89]

The only way to do it right if it is older is to take the batterys right out of the tray and tear the tray apart. Remove and clean(de-grease) and repack the bearings on the tray,and paint . I just got done doing mine. Plus when i put it back together i set the batterys in a sheet of 1/8" rubber fitted to the inside of the tray to stop any spillage in the future and also a cushion (non-slip) for the batterys. Works great now and looks great! It is a lot of work but worth it. Have fun and enjoy!!

[Dr4Film]

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89 The only way to do it right if it is older is to take the batterys right out of the tray and tear the tray apart. Remove and clean(de-grease) and repack the bearings on the tray,and paint . I just got done doing mine. Plus when i put it back together i set the batterys in a sheet of 1/8" rubber fitted to the inside of the tray to stop any spillage in the future and also a cushion (non-slip) for the batterys. Works great now and looks great! It is a lot of work but worth it. Have fun and enjoy!!

I have been contemplating this very same project for either this month or next. What type of paint did you end up using? I have two trays, one for the huge Chassis battery and another larger one for the 4 coach batteries. They slide really hard right now and are in need of some maintenance. What function does the rubber provide other than a cushion as rubber is not absorbent is it?

Thanks!

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[CaptPat]

Oh well I was hoping to be able to just get the tray out. I've done the backing soda thing, priming and painting would be a lot easier with the tray out.

I was going to use the paint found at this link: RANDOLPH ACID PROOF BATTERY BOX BLACK PAINT #345 from Aircraft Spruce

Others have used Line-X or Rhino Lining--or so I've heard

[MonacoMama]

We cannot remove the tray like you are trying to. What we did was slid the tray out-remove the 4 bolts on the bottom of the compartment and then lifted the tray out.

We ended up painting the tray and the compartment - as seen here. (We purchased a bedliner paint product that we bought at Kragen's)

[palehorse89]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr4film i have been contemplating this very same project for either this month or next. What type of paint did you end up using? I have two trays, one for the huge chassis battery and another larger one for the 4 coach batteries. They slide really hard right now and are in need of some maintenance. What function does the rubber provide other than a cushion as rubber is not absorbent is it? Thanks! Dr4film ----- richard.

the acid if boiled or spilled in the tray will not go through or hurt the rubber.with the rubber liner the tray should stay a lot cleaner i think. Good luck

[Gary CA]

What I learned in the battery tray removal.....

Taking the battery slide tray out is easy, putting it back takes patience. Don't bother to call Kwikee Products, they never answered the phone. Along the rails there are two holes, off-set, the holes enable you to get an allen wrench on the bolts that holds the rollers that are off-set. The bolts have plastic caps so the caps come off first. You only have to remove the four rear rollers.

I found that my batteries had gased off and the tray was pitted with acid. I sandblasted and rubberized via spray coat. The tray is like new. To be pro-active in not having this problem (as well as low House power) I installed 4 six volt batteries, a watering system and most importantly I used Therm Oil to prevent the off gases and cable/tray/cables corrison.

Checkout this product and make the battery tray removal a one time deal
Very helpful company, look in FAQ's at www.thermoil.com .

Good luck with the project..