I'm sure that this has been beat in one way or another. I've got a battery problem, in that other people think they need them worse then I do. first one cut stolen and ran with it.. next one clipped a master lock rope in a cut and run.. all in the span of 3 months. I've had it and I can't afford to buy other peoples batteries anymore. so I've got an Outback all Seasons and the batteries are tied down between the propane tanks and the forward bulkhead of the trailer. My question is can I move those batteries inside that bulkhead which would be under my bed in a plastic box vented outside ? I'm thinking centered. or if somebody has an idea for a cheap box outside. I'm open for ideas.. Thanks. in advance.

If you purchase an AGM battery, venting is not quite a critical. But you can put a lead/acid battery anywhere as long as it's properly vented to the outside. Hydrogen is a nasty little gas that you don't igniting anytime soon.

Make the thieves work for them...Mount where convenient under frame. Winch them in their own compartment.

i use an rvlockbox.com battery box with lock.

Ours came in a locked storage compartment. MTS plastics makes a vented battery box around $35.

I bought one of those straps that go around the trailer frame and the battery box. heavy steel, not much of padlock showing and difficult to saw thru. bumpy

Battery move | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

myredracer
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2016
Alan50 wrote:
myredracer wrote:
I did this in a previous TT. Originally had a length of vertical luan plywood and front cap was very curved so had wasted space. Only for one battery but could done a pair. Had the original lead acid battery at first and plan was to go with an AGM eventually. AGMs can off-gas if overcharged and I've read that it is a good idea to vent them. You can buy the vents, sealed/vented battery box and hose from an RV dealer or online.

If you hide that batteries inside, maybe it would be a good idea to leave the old empty battery box there along with cables so thieves won't try to get inside. Also, don't put them in a place where the ambient temp. can get high.

Is this Battery Vented to the outside other then just the hatches on the port and starboard sides? AGM battery?

Just barely visible on the upper right is the vent hose to an exterior grill. The hose, grill and sealed box are what's used in FW trailers and available from RV parts vendors. I had planned to upgrade to an AGM but we traded up to a new TT before that happened.
Alan50
Explorer
Mar 09, 2016
myredracer wrote:
I did this in a previous TT. Originally had a length of vertical luan plywood and front cap was very curved so had wasted space. Only for one battery but could done a pair. Had the original lead acid battery at first and plan was to go with an AGM eventually. AGMs can off-gas if overcharged and I've read that it is a good idea to vent them. You can buy the vents, sealed/vented battery box and hose from an RV dealer or online.

If you hide that batteries inside, maybe it would be a good idea to leave the old empty battery box there along with cables so thieves won't try to get inside. Also, don't put them in a place where the ambient temp. can get high.

Is this Battery Vented to the outside other then just the hatches on the port and starboard sides? AGM battery?
icanon
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
path1 wrote:
Make the thieves work for them...

Mount where convenient under frame. Winch them in their own compartment.

I really like what you did. Not to be negative that is not my intention but your setup 'could' have a weak spot. Everything is relying on that one hinge or that one hinge pin, there is a lot of weight on that hinge and pin not counting fretting wear from vibrations. I would install some sort of slide bolt or fence latch type mechanism on the rails to help prevent falling if it does occur, don't want to lose those nice batteries. Just my observation :)
laknox
Nomad
Mar 07, 2016
path1 wrote:
Make the thieves work for them...

Mount where convenient under frame. Winch them in their own compartment.

Now, =that= is one bad-a$$ installation!

Lyle
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2016
2 8D AGMs! OMG that is some serious AHs. Some serious weight hanging down low midship as well. Also a good thing.
Got_Dirt_
Explorer
Mar 06, 2016
I built this "battery box" which can hold 2 8D batteries. Have only one Deka AGM at the moment.
myredracer
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2016
Veebyes wrote:
TucsonJim wrote:
If you purchase an AGM battery, venting is not quite a critical. But you can put a lead/acid battery anywhere as long as it's properly vented to the outside. Hydrogen is a nasty little gas that you don't igniting anytime soon.

Put them anywhere you please. AGMs don't vent at all. That is why they are used in boats, very often in a compartment under a berth or somewhere else accessible from inside the cabin.

AGM batteries normally will not off-gas but can if overcharged (as in the case of a converter/charger not working properly) or from extreme overheating. Optima battery FAQs for example. BD Batteries says "never install a Lifeline AGM battery in a sealed or an airtight container." There is a lot of controversy on venting AGMs, but better to be safe than sorry.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2016
path1 wrote:
Make the thieves work for them...

Mount where convenient under frame. Winch them in their own compartment.

They look to be Lifeline group 31 AGMs. Plenty AHs there & zero maintenance. Perfect install for no maintenance batterys.

Access for flooded batterys? Not so much.
shepstone
Explorer
Mar 05, 2016
path1 wrote:
Make the thieves work for them...

Mount where convenient under frame. Winch them in their own compartment.

WOW Thats quite the solution !!! Nice Work!
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 02, 2016
TucsonJim wrote:
If you purchase an AGM battery, venting is not quite a critical. But you can put a lead/acid battery anywhere as long as it's properly vented to the outside. Hydrogen is a nasty little gas that you don't igniting anytime soon.

Put them anywhere you please. AGMs don't vent at all. That is why they are used in boats, very often in a compartment under a berth or somewhere else accessible from inside the cabin.