Ideas for battery box?

[Jackfate]

Only have a group 24 battery and case that came with trailer ( 2016 OR light) Always ran 2 or more in the past . Wish the battery area was bigger 24-1/2"wide so only another 24 will fit without mods. In the past I've seem some custom/toolbox cases housing multi battery's . I have 2-2000 Hondas but some places seem to frown upon their use even though their allowed.
I hear 2/6volts are a good set up but don't want to drop that much$$$ this year.

I guess what I'm asking has anyone found an alternative to the standard boxes

[Jackfate]

Done deal , went with 6 volt battery boxes from camping world . And 6 volt golf batteries from Costco . The fit was tight & just right . Used ratchet straps to secure . I like that the batteries ride low & snug

Thanks all

[dkreuzen]

I'll add another option, lead-acid batteries need a outside vented area, AGM batteries don't need that so you can mount them anywhere (or any position) you have space that will support the weight.

[RDMueller]

Yes, the one at Costco for $83 is definitely a good choice. Not sure what the difference between the two different Sams offerings would be. A GC2 is a GC2 as far as I know. I'm not a Sams member, hopefully someone who is has seen these 2 and can explain what the difference is.

As far as the box, I'd just go with whatever works. They have the same horizontal footprint as a group 24, so they'll definitely fit in your tray. They are taller though, so even though you could put them in group 24 boxes, they'll stick out above the top. Surely someone makes a plastic GC2 box? I also saw someone here fasten a stainless steel or aluminum cargo box to the A-frame that was about the right size and had a lockable cover. Really slick installation! I'll see if I can find the thread.

What I personally have been doing is just strapping them down in the tray without a box when we go camping. When I get home, I remove them and store them/charge them/maintain them in the garage. Someday when I get around to adding solar, I'll stop doing the "battery drag," but for now it works for me.

[Jackfate]

GC2 at Costco here$ 83.99 . Sams has 2 -GC2 's one at $85 & one at $115 I have as of yet to know what the difference is . Still thinking as to what battery box/boxes to go with.

Cheers

[RDMueller]

I would highly recommend 2 6V GC2 golf cart batteries in series. Personally I like the Trojan T105, but expect to pay about $120-150 each. Costco sells a similar GC2 for about $90 and many people here swear by them. The point is, if you get the GC2s they will be true deep cycle batteries. I had a really hard time finding any 12V batteries that were true deep cycle. They do exist, but I couldn't find one locally. The vast vast majority of 12V batteries you find are marine hybrid. They are just about worthless for dry camping IMO.

[Jackfate]

Ok I can say I've had a 12 volt x 2 fail as in 2/12v and it was extremely inconvenient . As I was bunedocking in bear country. And now carry a battery hrydromenter as load testing at auto parts stores is not reliable way of checking deep cells.

Cheers

[4x4van]

I have to laugh a bit when I hear the claim that "if one 6V battery goes bad..." I've been running 6V batteries for 15 years now, haven't had a single failure, nor has anyone that I camp with (at least 10 other rigs, all using 6v batteries, some 2, some 4).

Not saying that it can't or hasn't happened, but...

[csamayfield55x]

really, they sensor c r a p ?????

[csamayfield55x]

I made my 12 volt battery boxes work, but they looked like ****. The lids were just held on by straps and always sat at an angle. They sell 6 volt battery boxes at batteries+bulbs pretty cheap and have the same depth and width as a series 24 but are taller. When I replaced mine I used these and it was much better

Chrs

[westend]

I guess what I'm asking has anyone found an alternative to the standard boxes

If your standard Grp 24 box will accommodate the additional height of a 6V, the cheapest upgrade path is another single box of the same size. The next cheapest path is two single 6 V boxes. The most elegant is a box that will house both batteries and these polyethylene boxes are the most durable.

Two 6V batteries from Sam's Club or Costco will be about the same price or lower than two 12 V marine/hybrid batteries from Walmart. At least that is the pricing in my area.

I actually built a dual 6V battery box and, IMO, your time will be better spent elsewhere.

[Jackfate]

Yes Chris I'm a member of the OR site & it's a good site . But activity there is slow at best. Guess everyone's out camping.
Batteries will fit as long as the battery boxes are tall enough
Cheers

[csamayfield55x]

Have you looked where you are going to put them?? It sure would be nice if you had a compartment like I do on my Light 5er but there for sure are other options.

If you want more specific OR help there is a forum dedicated to our trailers. Just look for open range owners forum

Chris

[Jackfate]

csamayfield55 wrote:
I am not sure where the idea of a charging system upgrade came from. I had 2 6 volt batteries on my old trailer for 4 years and never had an issue. They gave me 3 or 4 days of use if I was careful and NEVER just fell on their faces like the 12 volt stock batteries I have now. Those batteries were fine one minute then dead the next. I am replacing them the next time I go dry camping.

I have seen a lot of overthinking on here. People have been using 6volters for years without upgrading their chargers/converters

Chris

Thanks Chris this is reassuring
Like to know what's going on before $$$

6 volts here I come

[csamayfield55x]

I am not sure where the idea of a charging system upgrade came from. I had 2 6 volt batteries on my old trailer for 4 years and never had an issue. They gave me 3 or 4 days of use if I was careful and NEVER just fell on their faces like the 12 volt stock batteries I have now. Those batteries were fine one minute then dead the next. I am replacing them the next time I go dry camping.

I have seen a lot of overthinking on here. People have been using 6volters for years without upgrading their chargers/converters

Chris