Trojan T-105 Install

[01tundra]

Just finished installing an RVLockbox battery box and dual Trojan T-105 6V batteries on....uhm.....the "trailer"

The trailer came from the factory with a keyed battery disconnect under the tongue in front of the battery box. The box has knock outs on the ends and back and a rubber grommet. I used the rear knock out to keep everything looking clean.

I sacrificed some old kayak foam blocks to wedge in to keep the batteries from moving any.

Big thanks to Mustang for his guidance !

[Vasquez Kid]

Looks great Tundra. Nice work. I put in two T-105's in a while back and am very impressed with them. I bet you'll be too.

[RoyBraddy]

Great job.... I'm working on a similar project for two groups of two GC2 DURACELL 6V batteries in series... Already have the welded on angle strips on my front tongue area... My 59-inch box fits it great and extends over both ends...

Thanks for your photos...

Roy Ken

[Mustang65]

That was really a NICE install!!! Very professional looking. Thanks for the pictures.
Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Woodworker]

That looks really good. Nice job

[01tundra]

Since my last post I've made a few changes.....

Ended up selling the two Trojan T-105's and replacing with a single Battle Born 100AH LiFePO4 battery. I located the battery in a small storage cabinet in the rear of the trailer next to the converter.

I also replaced the factory WCO converter with a PD4655L Wildkat converter and made a control station for the new battery compartment that consists of a 300A Blue Sea master battery disconnect switch, 100A Blue Sea main breaker and a 25A Blue Sea solar controller breaker.

I ran 1/0 copper from the 25A solar breaker in the rear cabinet up to a new double Blue Sea power post in the front pass through and reworked the entire solar controller wiring, adding another 25A Blue Sea breaker at the controller.

I have two 1/0 chassis grounds in the rear, one from the Victron shunt and one from the factory ground buss, also still have the factory 8AWG ground from the buss. Up front I have a 1/0 chassis ground as well.

I've developed an actual power wiring diagram for our trailer now as I've worked through the entire system.

I mounted the Wildkat converter pendant and Victron BMV-712 gauge next the the converter in the rear of the trailer. Added a disconnect switch up front that allows me to disconnect the battery charge wire from the TV to avoid the TV drawing down the LiFePO4 in the trailer. The factory front battery switch became a power post termination point and the switch key was removed.

I reduced the tongue weight by 120 lbs and picked up a great place to store wheel chocks and levelers.

Since we camp deep in the woods, a majority of our charging will be accomplished with our Honda EU2200i and when we can utilize solar, our 100W suitcase with assist. I still have the two 50W panels wired in series and the Victron MPPT 75/15 mounted in the pass-thru.

[Siamese]

Looks like a real sweet setup!

[Screwby]

Nice work! I like how you repurposed the battery box for your chocks and gear. When my 4 Duracell’s go bad someday I’ll be taking a serious look at some Battle Born

[edatlanta]

My first set of Trojan T-105's lasted 8 years. I see absolutely zero Battle Born $900.00+ batteries in my future.

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by edatlanta

My first set of Trojan T-105's lasted 8 years. I see absolutely zero Battle Born $900.00+ batteries in my future.

They won’t be $900 forever. Just like solar and every other new evolving technology lithium batteries will get cheaper in time. Solar is super affordable now and it used to be less efficient and much more expensive years ago. T.V.s that used to cost 2k are now outdated and can be bought for a couple hundred dollars. Battle Born is at the forefront of the market right now. New competitors and cheaper methods and manufacturing will lower costs. Then they will make a Flux Capacitor and lithium batteries will be like flooded are now, a dime a dozen.

[SmackIt]

Great component choices and really nice work on the install.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by edatlanta

My first set of Trojan T-105's lasted 8 years. I see absolutely zero Battle Born $900.00+ batteries in my future.

I didn't replace the Trojans because I thought they wouldn't last.

I replaced them because I wanted to be able to reduce our tongue weight by 120+ lbs.

I replaced them because I wanted the very fast recovery time while dry camping with only solar and a generator.

I replaced them due to the deep draw down capability for when camping without hook-ups.

I replaced them because I was tired of having to always check the water level.

I replaced them because I wanted a sealed battery which I could locate inside the trailer.

So, LiFePO4's are not for everyone and that's perfectly fine, but it fits for our camping style and setup. If I were going to get hyper focused on spending and extra $500 on a battery I would've never wasted $25k on an RV in the first place.........

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

I didn't replace the Trojans because I thought they wouldn't last.

I replaced them because I wanted to be able to reduce our tongue weight by 120+ lbs.

I replaced them because I wanted the very fast recovery time while dry camping with only solar and a generator.

I replaced them due to the deep draw down capability for when camping without hook-ups.

I replaced them because I was tired of having to always check the water level.

I replaced them because I wanted a sealed battery which I could locate inside the trailer.

So, LiFePO4's are not for everyone and that's perfectly fine, but it fits for our camping style and setup. If I were going to get hyper focused on spending and extra $500 on a battery I would've never wasted $25k on an RV in the first place.........

Um, your RV and I take offense to the “wasted money on RV” comment. I think you meant to say “didn’t make the best financial investment”

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by Screwby

Um, your RV and I take offense to the “wasted money on RV” comment. I think you meant to say “didn’t make the best financial investment”

Ha....valid

[01tundra]

After fighting that tie down strap I decided to fabricate a new battery hold down....especially since I'm stuck at home and needed an excuse to get out in the shop.....

The tie down is screwed to the floor, then the tray is screw to the floor over top of it separately, turned out very solid.

[01tundra]

I've reached a whole new level of boredom......

Just finished installing custom engraved tags for our electrical system.

[Screwby]

Nice work! Hey there’s nothing wrong with making it organized and looking nice, makes my OCD happy.
Can I make one suggestion? When I fabricated the hold down bar for my rock buggy out of metal I soon realized that wires liked to spark off of it when jumping someone else or wiring in new mods. I wrapped it in black tape to insulate it against me doing dumb stuff. Just an idea from someone who’d been there and done that. You could get fancy and spray it with some rubberized undercoating for grip and insulation. Either way, looks awesome man.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by Screwby

Nice work! Hey there’s nothing wrong with making it organized and looking nice, makes my OCD happy.
Can I make one suggestion? When I fabricated the hold down bar for my rock buggy out of metal I soon realized that wires liked to spark off of it when jumping someone else or wiring in new mods. I wrapped it in black tape to insulate it against me doing dumb stuff. Just an idea from someone who’d been there and done that. You could get fancy and spray it with some rubberized undercoating for grip and insulation. Either way, looks awesome man.

Being an old rock crawler myself that thought ran through my mind, but the difference here is that the hold down is not grounded to the chassis, just screwed into the wood floor. Of course, if I allowed the ground and hot to touch it at the same time I would have a nice stick welder effect....just need a nickle and I could be a mobile welding unit .

But good point, I could always dunk it in some Plasti Dip.....or have the local Line-X place hit it when they are spraying a bed sometime.

[Screwby]

Nice rig! I just always idiot proof my stuff because I know who’s using it lol

Well I’ve seen sideways pictures, but now the forum has decided to start posting mine upside down. Is this a sign from the rock gods?