Tongue toolbox for 166FBS

DonBr · 08-12-2022, 06:32 PM

Ever since I removed my battery boxes I've been searching for a box that could be opened and would use the space. Finally found one, a Plano 26-inch Grab n Go. Overall dimensions wouldn't possibly fit, but reviews indicated that it probably tapered enough, and it does. Perfect shoehorn fit with the wire loom on the near side. I put some velcro to hold it open, but need to get some black! Not sure what the use will turn out to be. I had hopes of getting both water hose and electrical cord in, and while the box was out I actually got both in, but it would be way too hard to do when it is in place. Had a tray which I removed, and also removed small parts boxes from top. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HD9IO4

boatguy · 01-19-2023, 03:56 PM

I am debating getting this Plano box to see if it fits my 100AH Renogy batteries x2 .
The width and length are pretty good , but its the height with the lid closed that will be tight . The Renogy 100AH smart batteries are 7.4" high. Not sure if thats too close for the lid to shut , because of those mini tool tray cutouts on the sides. .

Its increadibly difficult to find a large battery box (or 2 normal size) that will be large enough to hold 2 lithiums that is also the correct size to fit in the 166 battery rails.

May have to give this Plano a try.

Good find ! Thanks

DonBr · 01-19-2023, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatguy

Its increadibly difficult to find a large battery box (or 2 normal size) that will be large enough to hold 2 lithiums that is also the correct size to fit in the 166 battery rails.

I was never able to find one. The Plano Box fits in the rails because of its taper (it is too wide/long at the top) but you will not get two group 27 batteries in lengthwise, and the Renogy looks to be a bit longer than standard 27s. The plano is 23 long at the bottom.

You can get two Group 24 battery boxes on the tongue (and mine came that way) but Group 24-sized Lithiums are scarcer than hen's teeth. Someone posted a link to a company that does, using square cells instead of round ones, but the price was about double the current Renogy price as I recall. There are also some cons to square cells in terms of heat dispersion.

DonBr · 01-19-2023, 05:00 PM

Forester2's thread about his custom dual lithium tray box is here: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...fbs-94703.html

boatguy · 01-19-2023, 05:46 PM

The lithium Batteries I choose are the Renogy "SMART" (and heated) models .
Specs say they measure 11.4" long x 6.8" wide x 7.4" tall . Thats pretty dang close to a group 24 battery . Not as tall , but maybe about a 1/2" - 3/4" longer depending on manufatcurer . Prob will not fit in a standard 24 series box and way too short for a group 27 box (without wasting a bunch of space) , but I should be able to fit 2 side by side in a box that is at least 23"+ long .
They were not "cheap" , but I really wanted to keep our 200ah in the stock 166 battery spot since we use our pass through storage area for "stuff" . Hence , the splurge for the "heated" option .
I have 2 Noco 6v boxes , and worse case scenerio , I can always install the lithium batteries on their side if I have too , but would rather not .
Still thinking about this Plano option . May order one from Amazon , that way I can return it if I have too .

boatguy · 01-19-2023, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonBr

Forester2's thread about his custom dual lithium tray box is here: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...fbs-94703.html

Thanks for that . Can fabricate that up np , if I cant find anything else that will work . Looks like a good option . I even considered the Torklift battery box $$$ but from the specs , its too wide front to back to fit .

DonBr · 01-19-2023, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatguy

Specs say they measure 11.4" long x 6.8" wide x 7.4" tall

I was looking at the "Regular" 100AH Smart, which is 12.99 inches. Since they say that they use pouches in all of their batteries I'm not sure where the size reduction comes from.

DonBr · 01-19-2023, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatguy

Thanks for that . Can fabricate that up np , if I cant find anything else that will work . Looks like a good option . I even considered the Torklift battery box $$$ but from the specs , its too wide front to back to fit .

Note that Forester2's box is also too big, so it is mounted on top of the rails with a notch to fit into the A frame.

boatguy · 01-19-2023, 07:11 PM

Renogy has a few different lithium battery's .
All of the ones that are 11.4 wide use the Pouch cells - Smart and Smart heated . The batteries they have that are 12.9" wide use prismatic cells - Bluetooth "smart" .
Why they use the "smart" terminology in all of them is strange , but only the ones that are 11.4" wide have the pouch cells. They call those "Smart Lithium" with or without "Self Heating" .
The ones that are 12.9" wide use prismatic cells are called "Bluetooth Smart".
Confusing ........

I think Foresters2 is using Battleborns ? They are also 12.9" wide.

The "Smart Lithium" Renogys at 11.4" wide x2 should give me approx. 3" of wiggle room over standard 100ah batts .

DonBr · 01-19-2023, 07:30 PM

Pouch vs prismatic makes sense in terms of the size. For some reason there is this statement on the Renogy site: "The Renogy 12V lithium ion batteries all use pouch cells, however, the vast majority of 12 volt batteries on the market still use metal shell cells."

RogerR · 01-20-2023, 06:48 PM

I have a 195RB and accessible storage is at a premium. I moved my Lithium inside, under the bed, next to the MPPT and solar entry from the roof. And probably so I can run some AC outlets in the future.

But the bid benefit for me is getting some stuff out from under the bed and into the biggest toolbox positioned where my battery used to be. A piece of plywood is bolted to the rails where the battery used to be and the tool box is mounted on that plywood. Water hose, chocs and Andersen leveler are no longer under the bed!

boatguy · 01-21-2023, 03:54 PM

Just a quick picture showing the Renogy "Smart Lithium" (self heated model in my case) does kind of fit in a standard Standard group 24 series Battery box . I believe this is an Attwood box . Its a tight fit, and does not slide all he way down to the bottom due to the narrowing taper towards the bottom of the box . But it does fit ! Still not sure if I am going to give this toolbox a try for my 2 x Renogy "Smart Lithiums", try the large camco dual battery box for 2 - 24's , or just go with 2 of these 24 Attwood battery boxes . Will prob try the dual camco first .......

Anyway .......here is a picture showing the Renogy is pretty dang close to a group 24 marine/rv battery.

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