My removable Battery Bank!

bigcitypopo wrote:
Soooo,

I recently installed a 75amp boon docker upgrade converter in my springdale. Its great!!! I had two grp 24 batts from my aljo that i have kept watered and charged...

So, i rigged them up in a removable type tote with a quick connect battery cable.... Pics below

Here is the Tool box!



Drain hole and vent holes drilled... 8 vent holes... and 4 drain holes



cable port...



Group24 box...



With handles cut off.. all but one to allow some spacing...

boxes installed in the tool box, wired up....



6gauge cable with quick connects soldered and heat shrink wrap...



installed on the cable pair on the trailer battery bank...



Connected up...



Stowed... the box weighs 85lbs... Handle easily supports it. The latches are locked with a padlock. Im not to worried about someone running off with it. they'll have to crawl under the rig, cut the huge hardened cable... Drag the sumbeach... and be quick enough to run from my shotgun.. lol

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Interesting idea, but IMO I sure wouldn't consider something with a handle like a tool box weighing way north of 100lbs as being portable. I know my 50lb Honda EU2000i is about the limit of what I would consider portable for something with a handle.

Larry

I started out with four each 85AH standard issue Interstate 12VDC batteries and lost one due to boiling out fluids with my single mode Elixir Converter/charger unit.

Been living off of the remaining three Interstates (255Ahs) for the past few years with smart mode converter/charger and works out great for our lifestyle. We end up at around 12.1-12.0VDC each morning at the battery bank.

Then we run the Generator when allowed and recharge the batteries back up to their 90% charge state in around three hours generator run time...

My future plans are to add 300AHs worth of batteries to the trailer and also in the back of the truck to run all of my toys when running my truck stand alone with my emergency radio nets or combined with the trailer when camping...

The plan is to use the Trojan T-1275 150Ah 12VDC batteries but cost will probably drop me back to using the Golf Cart 6VDC 225Ah Battery sets in both locations. My 2008 Installed Interstates are now starting to lose performance...

Supplement this with solar panels should keep me in the pink for years to come...

Roy Ken

Question though Dave, why do you need 4 batteries? Isn't the camping family a bit smaller now with your daughter off to college? With fewer people I find we're in the trailer less and with fewer kids there's less use of the electronic stuff like movies and games.

I really like this idea of a portable battery pack. Thanks for the insight...

bigcitypopo wrote:
I actually drilled a few on the top corners. so the breeze draws air thru. it's plenty vented

Perfect !

I actually drilled a few on the top corners. so the breeze draws air thru. it's plenty vented

Any thought about venting at the very top of box? I've read hydrogen is 20x lighter than air. Wouldnt want a pocket of it next to a quick disconnect? Not a battery pro, just thought I'd ask. Looks great and extra battery cap is always good !

Bumpyroad wrote:
two batteries, only 85 lbs. and only 75 ah? reminds me of years back when we were fishing electric only lakes, we got a bright idea to build a wooden carrier for 2 deep cycle batteries. only issue was we needed a derrick to move it. :)
bumpy

I could be off on the weight... I lifted it it no sweat... But. I really wasn't estimating well. Nonetheless, the handle and the side handles are super stout.

I'm looking at the go power flex panels... The seem super tough...

I ordered a couple of other of the quick connectors... I'm gonna rig my moms Class C with a "bank" connector and a dedicated charge circuit at home... It's kind of cool to be plug and play...

I'm hoping to be able to upgrade to 6v when these batts die... It's cool to have some relatively portable power.

Nice job and nice post! Thank you. :)
Barney