The other day I asked about expanding the number of batteries in my array, and what folks had done to expand the battery boxes and necessary vents.
My new 2014 5th wheel came with two separate 12v batteries, each within its own box, vented through 2 ports in the front wall.
The batteries are brand new, so I'm going to pass on converting to 6 volt arrays, and simply add 2 more 12v batteries in parallel.
I was hoping to find a pre-built battery box large enough for them, but short of finding anything on line, I took to the hardware store and bought some supplies.
(1) large plastic utility box (30L x20W x14H), complete with snap down lid. Its a pretty sturdy box with a 500 lb capacity. ($18.00)
(5) 1 1/2 inch plastic pipe fittings, threaded on one end along with corresponding retaining nuts from the electrical isle (5 x $3.99)
(1 ft) of 1.25 inch hose. ($2)
Using 1 7/8" Hole Saw, I cut 2 holes in the lid, 2 holes in the sides of the box ( 1 at each opposite end for wiring to enter/exit through and 1 in the back center of the box, down low to act as an air intake.
Mounted fittings into each hole.
For the two vents on the top of the box, I added about 6 inched of "stub" hose ( 1 1/4"), so that the original black vent hose that was already in place, can simply slide down over the top of the stub with a snug fit, allowing a quick method to disconnect when you want to service the battery array.
Project cost $40.
Now off to buy 2 more batteries and replace the exisitng single battery boxes.
(PS: Two slighly used SINGLE battery boxes for sale)
My new 2014 5th wheel came with two separate 12v batteries, each within its own box, vented through 2 ports in the front wall.
The batteries are brand new, so I'm going to pass on converting to 6 volt arrays, and simply add 2 more 12v batteries in parallel.
I was hoping to find a pre-built battery box large enough for them, but short of finding anything on line, I took to the hardware store and bought some supplies.
(1) large plastic utility box (30L x20W x14H), complete with snap down lid. Its a pretty sturdy box with a 500 lb capacity. ($18.00)
(5) 1 1/2 inch plastic pipe fittings, threaded on one end along with corresponding retaining nuts from the electrical isle (5 x $3.99)
(1 ft) of 1.25 inch hose. ($2)
Using 1 7/8" Hole Saw, I cut 2 holes in the lid, 2 holes in the sides of the box ( 1 at each opposite end for wiring to enter/exit through and 1 in the back center of the box, down low to act as an air intake.
Mounted fittings into each hole.
For the two vents on the top of the box, I added about 6 inched of "stub" hose ( 1 1/4"), so that the original black vent hose that was already in place, can simply slide down over the top of the stub with a snug fit, allowing a quick method to disconnect when you want to service the battery array.
Project cost $40.
Now off to buy 2 more batteries and replace the exisitng single battery boxes.
(PS: Two slighly used SINGLE battery boxes for sale)
