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bttravel · 10-04-2015, 07:48 PM

This has been itching at me for awhile now. My previous Layton, that I just traded, had the battery in it's usual place, on the tongue. And the convertor unit was in the rear under the kitchen counter. And my new Sprinter has the same set up. Just farther apart because it's 12' longer. Now, the Sprinter has a tongue weight of a little over 900lbs dry and with the battery and 2 full 30lbers you can imagine where it goes from there. And this unit has a double battery tray on it. I fully realize it's a convenient spot to put them but a 5er has them in a compartment since they don't have a tongue. No can speak

Sorry!! And on my new one the AC power plug is it at the rear very close to the convertor. So my thoughts are that's a lot of wire between the battery and the convertor. I'm wondering why they don't utilize a small compartment towards the rear to reduce the amount of wiring needed and to take some weight off an already heavy tongue. They could still run a heavy gauge wire forward for the tongue jack and the power cord to the TV. I was looking at mine and there is a fair space directly behind the convertor that could have been untilized as a battery compartment. Just seems like they have "been doing it this way so long that's just the way it is" mentality. How about a little re-engineering and weight distribution. Our old 5er, deer season rig, has a double battery compartment on the side about 2' back of the front legs. And the AC cord is 2' feet from that. I'm sure many of you have been sitting in your rig or standing looking at something wondering......why did they or don't they at some time or another. Just saying

jesilvas · 10-04-2015, 07:57 PM

Mostly price. Sure, for one unit, wiring is not expensive. Put in a sealed box in the back, and make it "nicer."

Ever heard of Peterson Ind, Teton, Carriage, etc.? Price. People are CHEAP! All the time, people come in looking for something like a Montana loaded for $30,000.

halfwright · 10-04-2015, 08:06 PM

There are several reasons for that placement:
1 ventilation of off-gassing
2 corrosion of compartment
3 ease of access
4 it makes people wonder why they put them there

bttravel · 10-04-2015, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halfwright

There are several reasons for that placement:
1 ventilation of off-gassing
2 corrosion of compartment
3 ease of access
4 it makes people wonder why they put them there

5er's don't have a problem
Our 96 5er battery compartment is wood. No corrosion problem.
Easy to access on the 5er.
and yes it does!!

Gary RVRoamer · 10-05-2015, 09:49 AM

They have to be somewhere, and they need ventilation too. As do the LP tanks, also often on the tongue. Most a matter of cost & convenience, I think, but do you have a better suggestion? Some higher end models have nice enclosures for batteries & tanks, and a 5W (no tongue) sacrifices space from the interior or front storage bay for that purpose.

Riccochet · 10-05-2015, 11:20 AM

The off-gassing isn't that much of an issue. A battery or two isn't spewing out enough gas to effect much of anything. If it was they wouldn't be throwing 3-4 large SLA deep cycle batteries in the sealed bilge area of bass boats.

I think it's more a matter of convenience to the builder.

That being said I don't see why you couldn't relocate it elsewhere.

jesilvas · 10-05-2015, 11:37 AM

Batteries CAN off-gas badly, but normally don't.

hondavalk · 10-05-2015, 12:00 PM

I had a 1997 26ft Starcraft TT once that had the battery in a small cabinet at the back of the trailer right next to where the converter was. It was recessed into the floor and had a plastic cover with a vent tube on the top. It was a real PITA to check water levels. First you had to unclamp the vent tube, then undo 8 screws to remove the cover, then undo the battery cables. After that ALL you had to do is reach into this little deep cabinet and lift it out only to discover the levels were fine. Kinda good with them on the A frame after that.

MotorPro · 10-05-2015, 12:50 PM

2 reasons...first it's dead unused space which is hard to find on rv's ........second it helps get the needed tongue weight, take too much off and you will have an uncontrollable situation

Gary RVRoamer · 10-05-2015, 12:51 PM

Bass boats usually don't have 50+A chargers running continuously to boil away electrolyte either. A weak battery and a strong single stage charger are a recipe for boiling batteries and spewing gases.