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Old 10-04-2012, 08:34 AM   #1
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Secure your battery?

My neighbor and I store our TT's at the same facility. Got a text from him yesterday telling me that his battery had been stolen (the TT next to him as well). I'm parked about 5 spaces away and mine was still there. There were no security cam's pointing our way so he's most likely SOL.
My battery lives in one of the standard plastic boxes with a little belt to hold it in place. So here's my question: do you secure your battery and if so, how?
I went over to look our TT over and make sure there was no less obvious damage. The battery came home with me as I ponder how to secure it.

On a lighter note, there's a thread on our JOF that's probably close to a year old now that's "did your dealer include a battery". Mine did and I've really never looked at it before except to note it's an Interstate when I open the box to get at the 30amp fuse. I'm happy to say that not only did Orlando RV ( via RV Direct) include the battery but it's a deep cycle marine.
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Old 10-04-2012, 08:35 AM   #2
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Simply remove it. We do.
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Old 10-04-2012, 09:30 AM   #3
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It would not be difficult to make a lockable bracket the secure the battery down. A piece of flat iron about two inches longer than the width of the batter. Drill two holes (one near each end), square up the holes (file) for carriage bolt to slip in. Drill two holes in the bottom of the battery box. Now have a matching metal plate under the battery box. Now comes the question of how secure you want. You could just screw on a couple of nylock nuts and call it good. Or you could drill a hole through the end of the two carriage bolts to slip a pin through both bolts and have a hole on the end of that pin for a single paddle lock.

Some people install lockable boxes on the tong and install their batteries and battery disconnect on it. There are a number of threads on this topic.

Mine sits on the city street. The only thing not locked down is the battery, as it is a dealer supplied deep cycle battery, with a really low Ahr rating. I kind a wish it would grow legs so I could justify installing a good, dual battery system.
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Old 10-04-2012, 10:43 AM   #4
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I keep mine on the trailer in the driveway but move it inside for the cold winter months.

While at the storage facility maybe you should just move it inside the trailer and put it near the door.
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Old 10-04-2012, 10:47 AM   #5
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On another note, since the trailers were out of view of the security cameras I would first suspect workers at the facility.
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Old 10-04-2012, 11:41 AM   #6
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I would think you could even simply wrap a length of chain around it and secure with a lock. Or as some one else said, move it inside the TT, just inside the door.
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Old 10-04-2012, 12:30 PM   #7
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I'm thinking that I will store it inside the TT. The hitch rests there now so what's another thing to trip over? Gonna get another batt box to set it in (to contain any potential mess - acid) while "stored". Thought about chain or fab'ing a metal strap with padlock but I want it to be easy for me to get into the box (hmmm, easy for me but hard for someone else - mutually exclusive wouldn't you say?)
Thanks for the input folks!

The bride and I (and Cookie the wiener dog) are leaving for Memphis on Monday.
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Old 10-04-2012, 07:39 PM   #8
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Never had a problem with it going missing. Campers are generally honest folks, I think. BUT> we remove it for winter storage in the storage-lot, more to maintain the integrity of the battery than anything, but it's safer in the garage at the house then in the "yard".

I would expect that the best security when in storage is to remove it from the trailer. Theft of the battery is only a part of the issue. There are only so many different key's out there for RV's. I've tested it, and can open a good number of "stock" RV locks with my key. Installing an after-market latch and replacing the locks in your storage compartments would be a good idea if you're concerned about theft.
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Old 10-05-2012, 01:52 AM   #9
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Locks only keep honest people out......happy camping!
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Old 10-05-2012, 03:57 AM   #10
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Keeping it in the trailer is not good. A few years ago I had a detachable face radio in my car to prevent theft. After a few months I grew tired of removing and carrying the face plate around so I began chucking it under my seat in the car.

After a few months if doing that someone broke into my car, found the faceplate under the seat and took the radio.
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Old 10-05-2012, 05:13 AM   #11
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My Grandfather owned an RV dealeship for years. People were constanly breaking into the TT's to steal the TV's and other items. He would have to replace the items that were taken AND deal with the damage the thieves caused while trying to get in. Finally, he just the left the TT's unlocked. Much easier to replace stolen items without having major repairs to the TT's. I would just remove the battery. Making elaborate locks and such will just cause further damage when some idiot tries to break the lock to get the battery anyway. On my 29X it only takes a couple of minutes to pull the battery. I would rather do that than have to repair what some fool broke trying to get it out.
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Old 10-05-2012, 05:20 AM   #12
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What many of us have done is gone the lockable tool-box way to safely store the batteries. This lockable 48-inch side mount tool box shown here will hold 4EA GC2 Deep Cycle 6V Batteries (COSTCO-SAMs Club)... You can't prevent someone from stealing your things - only slow them down enough to maybe make them change their mind...


sample photo from google images (gilldawg79)
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Old 10-05-2012, 01:12 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoyBraddy View Post
What many of us have done is gone the lockable tool-box way to safely store the batteries. This lockable 48-inch side mount tool box shown here will hold 4EA GC2 Deep Cycle 6V Batteries (COSTCO-SAMs Club)... You can't prevent someone from stealing your things - only slow them down enough to maybe make them change their mind...


sample photo from google images (gilldawg79)
Make sure to ventilate the box while charging.
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Old 10-05-2012, 07:42 PM   #14
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Not sure that storing a battery inside the trailer is a great idea. If it is left that way long enough to discharge, it could freeze and crack, letting acid out. Also fumes given off, even while not charging, can accumulate over time, and a spark from anywhere, even static discharge, might cause an explosion. I would not want to take the risk.
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Old 11-16-2012, 04:30 PM   #15
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Boss Wagon -- I'll let Roy give you the details, but the battery box, as pictured, is vented 24/7 with kitchen sink strainers that are mounted on the (front) negative overhang section.
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Old 11-16-2012, 05:10 PM   #16
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Boss Wagon -- I'll let Roy give you the details, but the battery box, as pictured, is vented 24/7 with kitchen sink strainers that are mounted on the (front) negative overhang section.
Good deal. Sometimes people overlook the need to vent the battery box.
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Old 11-16-2012, 08:55 PM   #17
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I would bring it home and put it on a battery tender.
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Old 11-17-2012, 02:04 PM   #18
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I would never ever store a batt inside the TT. They give off some gas all the time, whether charging or not. Just different amounts. Storage over a long winter could build it up enough to cause an explosion, especially if the TT is closed up tight. I know someone who stored two batts inside an "airtight" storage shed for about 6 months, and all it took to blow the shed was a spark when he scraped a steel hammer against the metal door opening. He survived the explosion, but had burns and other injuries. Definitely NOT worth the risk, IMHO.
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