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go2heaven · 06-09-2023, 04:03 PM

Went to pull out my battery tray today and it would not budge. The cable that goes to the latch appears to be working but is slightly moving the depicted latch on right. Latch around stud is not moving. Thinking that perhaps the latch itself is broken in two and pulling the cable is not transferring the effort to the part around stud. Have no idea how I can get the tray out with it locked in place. Only idea is if I can destroy the latch and get it free from the stud and use the bolt method that others have used to hold the tray in. Anyone experienced this or have ideas? Thank you for taking the time to respond.

TRAKKER · 06-10-2023, 01:15 AM

See if you can reach in with hand or tool and nudge the release lever that the is not being moved enough by the cable pull.

TRAKKER · 06-10-2023, 01:16 AM

If you can get a wrench on those two bolt heads, the whole latch will come off.

txcpl · 06-10-2023, 05:23 AM

The picture does not show much if any corrosion on the latch parts. Most likely dry parts and/or dry or kinked cable. Hopefully, you can reach in there with something and get the locking mechanism to release.

Good luck and keep up posted.

PKI · 06-10-2023, 08:31 AM

You might try lubing up the assembly. After the penetrating oil has had time to work into the latch, apply steady pressure to the release cable.

Have not had a problem with our battery tray latch, as it is not cable activated. However, the front nose panel that releases to access the generator uses a similar mechanism and requires regular lubrication.

go2heaven · 06-11-2023, 06:17 AM

Thanks for the help all ! 6 hours later and with the help of a friend, I finally got it open. I pulled the cable with one hand, he pried the latch and I pulled on tray with other hand.Had tried PB Blaster and had tried to remove the top bolts and nuts but they were too long and hit the bottom of the tray floor before they cleared the hole. Next project, remove 384 pounds of batteries and see if I can find a new latch/cable mechanism to put in there. That is a lot of weight on a tray. No wonder it is hard to pull out. I really appreciate your help !!

txcpl · 06-11-2023, 06:28 AM

Glad you were able to open the latch and start repairs. What did you find was the problem? What put the latch into a bind?

go2heaven · 06-12-2023, 08:28 PM

Dont know what problem is yet. Thought it wise to get a replacement latch before I take all the batteries and tray out with no parts to fix it. Unfortunately, Tiffin has given me incorrect advice on replacement part numbers twice. Not too sure they have this part any longer. If I cant get it, I guess I will try to drill a hole in the rail and put a bolt in it? Anyone know if this works OR you screw up the rails? Any advice on how to do this is appreciated. Big problem is that I have 360 pounds of batteries (6) Most replacement trays don't hold that much weight or I would replace the whole thing. Thanks !