Second battery mod

[kjohn73]

I had a brand new marine battery for my little electric trolling motor. I also had a new PLANO tool box on hand.

The box fit perfectly into the brackets where the old battery box was fastened. I screwed the box to the bracket with six healthy screws. The batteries sit in the box at just the right height so that it requires a bit of a squeeze to shut the lid.

There is room for a battery of equal size to the bigger one. It fits a bit tight against the propane tank, but it works okay.

Tomorrow, I'll go to the local CO-OP and get what I need to hook the batteries parallel. More luck than skill or brains involved here!!

[clutch]

Nice looking modification. Do you have enough venting for the two batteries?

[Seann45]

Since that is a plastic box I hope you put strapping between the screw heads and the box... otherwise they will shatter the bottom of the box in about 2 years... DONT ask me how I know this...

[kjohn73]

Clutch: Good point. I'll see if the CO-OP has something like a 90 degree plastic elbow to install in the lid. I'll maybe put one at each end.

Seann45: Another good point. I'll do that today! I expect the whole box will get ratty after a couple of years. I'll make a cover for it when the trailer is not in use, sort of like a BBQ cover.

[Rustic Eagle]

kjohn73,

Nice fit on the dual battery mod, will be great for those boondocking trips.

I'm in process of doing the same thing but I'm going with two 6V deep cycle batteries. Since the 6V batteries are about an inch taller than the standard 12V group 24 batteries, I had to purchase two new boxes (about $10 each). I found some boxes that have the same foot print as the original group 24's (fit in the Jayco angle/rail supports), but an inch taller......; http://www.rvplus.com/power-house-a-...ack-13228.html

Check your cells in the older battery, if you have a bad one it may impact the amp/hour capacity of the two batteries combined.

Bob

[kjohn73]

Vents and cables put on.

Check your cells in the older battery, if you have a bad one it may impact the amp/hour capacity of the two batteries combined.

Both batteries are new, so hopefully they will be okay. Next time I get near a garage, I'll get both tested.