battery upgrade questions

[nhlakes]

I installed a Lund truck box on my trailer tongue...

Thanks for the link, I was originally considering something just like that.

Gary & David,  I have not researched the characteristics of my charger too much, nor have I researched how many amps a pair of 6V GC batteries can absorb when low.   In other words, if my converter only puts out 6-8 amps max and a pair of GC batteries can easily/safely absorb 20amps from a portable 'smart' charger that will safely start reducing amperage when the batteries reach 80% and reduce to a maintenance load when full - and have a clear indicator that will tell me when they reach 100% charge - that will help me reduce the amount of time I need to run my generator(s).  I have a pair of Honda 2000/2200.    Since I'm often at campgrounds where running the gen(s) less often is desirable, that's a factor.   

Plus I need a new portable charger anyway.  My old portable charger recently died.  I have a onboard charger for the trolling motor batteries of my fishing boat, and a few low amperage maintainers lying around, but need something bigger for when I need more amps in less time  - so I'd like to get something that will be ideal for the GC batteries.

... Although it would be better to install a 30A circuit breaker instead of a switch and accomplish two purposes. Amazon has them, see https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DIGK346/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
...

30A breaker is not a bad idea (although I already have the shutoff switch ) will have to consider that...

Thanks for all the help!

[DavidM]

I wasn't clear. The PD will put out up to 45 amps DC and will draw 6-8 amps AC from the shore power to do it. There is no need for a separate 3 step charger, the PD does that.

I also noticed another error in my previous post. If you are going to charge a deeply discharged battery then the PD could put out the full rated 45 amps for a while. So if you do install a circuit breaker, then make it 45 amps, not 30.

David

[nhlakes]

I wasn't clear. The PD will put out up to 45 amps DC and will draw 6-8 amps AC from the shore power to do it. There is no need for a separate 3 step charger, the PD does that.

I also noticed another error in my previous post. If you are going to charge a deeply discharged battery then the PD could put out the full rated 45 amps for a while. So if you do install a circuit breaker, then make it 45 amps, not 30.

David

All good info - thanks.  Actually impressed with my stock converter.  

[Gary M]

Yea your'e lucky you got the 45a PD. If mine came with that, I would have left it alone. Sadly my WFCO only puts out a max of 15a DC charging power unless I drain the batteries below 50%... but who's gonna do that? Even then it would only bulk charge for a short period.
Progressive dynamics make good converter/charges.

[nhlakes]

Picked up 2 Costco 6V GC batteries today.  Heavy buggers.   



Also got an 8' piece of aluminum 1.5" angle as recommended by David.  (and a 12" blade for my mitre saw designed for aluminum)   

Just occurred to me I might return to pick up some smaller lighter gauge aluminum stock to practice, never having cut angle aluminum on the mitre saw.

[nhlakes]

GC batteries  installed.  Tomorrow the Andersen (weather permitting)

[Gary M]

Awesome work man! Looks factory 👍🏻

[Merlin]

Awesome work man! Looks factory 👍🏻

I'm surprised you consider "Look factory" to be a compliment. 

[Gary M]

Now that's funny Merlin 😂😂😂

[nhlakes]

Awesome work man! Looks factory 👍🏻

Thanks.  Actually not done with the battery tray.  I'm going to add a cross section on each side to secure the battery holder from moving side to side.  That aluminum angle bracket is real easy to work with.  First time using it. After paying $36 for a blade I'll want to get some use of of it.  I envision pop riveting in some framing to add an additional shelf here and there... 

[charliem]

Awesome work man! Looks factory 👍🏻

If you think it looks factory, buyer beware. The AL angles are probably attached with #6 Nylon screws that missed the frame anyway  .

[ADR]

Swapped my 16TBS over to 2 GC batteries toward the end of our recent 32 day trip.  My old AGM pair finally gave up...I thought they were 4ish years old but the date codes seem to indicate they were even older than that.
Picked up the Sam's Club Duracell brand, which the Costco/Interstate GC batteries pictured above appear to be the same unit- both made by East Penn/Deka.  Honestly did not even check Costco- the 2 I frequent in SC* do not stock GC batteries so I figured others didn't either.

The thin gauge battery tray on my 16 is freakin' welded to the trailer tongue

So far it is holding up but I plan to overlay it with some thick 1.5" AL angle-happen to have a 20' stick of that lying around.
I used two seperate 6V plastic Noco batt boxes- reason- I want to be able to pick them up individually if need be- two in one box is too heavy for me to risk hernia #5.  Plus the single boxes were only $9 ea on Amazon.


BTW I cut AL all the time on my table saw with a regular carbide wood saw blade- works great- just go slow.  No need for a special saw blade.


* Both Sam's and Costco can be few and far away in the west I found.  In fact in WA state Sam's closed ALL their stores.   Had to plan our trip carefully to be near either when out west-

I like buying Costco gas when I can due to the high detergent and low price- but just like last summer I ran into Costco's out west that would not accept my Costco credit card to activate the pump- something to do with not reading the Costco membership number on the Citibank card.
The attendent would swipe a generic member card to start the pump then I could pay with the Costco card....weird.

In the total trip of 8482 miles I think we only managed to fill up at a Costco twice.  Sam's maybe 3 times.   

[nhlakes]

The blade I bought cuts so easily, I'm sure, as you say, any carbide tipped high count blade would be fine.

Your post on buying gas at Costco makes me realize that we have NEVER seek out Costco for gas while traveling. Our local store does not sell gas so we are just not used to fueling up there.   I hear gas to cheaper at Costcos that sell gas so I will try to remember that on our next trip!

[nhlakes]

Final pic with the side supports (and Andersen) installed.  Still raining.   Heading out Friday afternoon for a long weekend and looking forward to seeing how the Andersen works out.  Felt great on the short test ride.

[DavidM]

That looks like a "better than factory" installation. Curious why you put in the two length wise aluminum members. Wouldn't drilling through the box and screwing to the cross wise aluminum members work just as well? I would have thought that Noco box would be plenty strong mounted that way.

Also another 100 lbs near the tongue will help sway tremendously with or without the Andersen.

Davod