Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries
[GMCnet] Replacing Batteries [message #326773] |
Tue, 05 December 2017 20:53 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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My 23' is not an ideal battery hauler. Since there's no place for them in
the rear, they have to ride up front. I use a 3-battery Ragusa aluminum
tray at the right front. That's very convenient for carriage, but NOT for
maintenance. With other mods I've done in that area, it's might' nigh
impossible to R&R the 2 golf cart batteries and completely impossible to
R&R the chassis battery without removing those two. Checking the water in
the golf cart batteries is difficult; in the chassis battery, might' nigh
impossible -- only possible with a mirror to check levels.
So, over the years I've developed a way to remove them through the wheel
well with the tire removed. WIth the inner 1/2 of the wheel well liner
left out
(http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3609-2-piece-wheel-well-liner.html),
as I've run for many years, there is a way: A simple ramp from the back of
the battery tray to the top suspension A-arm gives me an easy way to get
each battery slid into a sort-of-manageable position. I was able to remove
all 3 last week without dropping one or taking a sulfuric acid bath.
Putting batteries back in isn't nearly as easy because the HEAVY batteries
don't slide uphill nearly as easily as downhill. So, a couple of years ago
I devised a battery lift for putting them back in (I'll probably have to
learn to use it for removal too for the next cycle). Here's an album
showing the lift and how it works in case anyone has a similar problem.
Granted, without a lift or ramp, as I have, redesign will be necessary --
maybe using a transmission jack? Or even a regular floor jack?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yk4CDKzsfUIWteGw1
Ken H.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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Re: [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries [message #326783 is a reply to message #326773] |
Tue, 05 December 2017 22:33 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Ken,
I'd suggest:
For the 12VDC battery ($28.39): https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Single-Battery-Watering-System-p/55-8755.htm
For the two 6VDC batteries ($44.84): https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Battery-Watering-System-p/55-8752.htm
Hand Pump ($18.03): https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Flow-Rite-Hand-Pump-p/55-8753.htm
Total: $91.26 plus shipping.
Bottom line: for a hundred bucks you won't have to remove them to service them. BTW I have the same setup up front on Double Trouble
and have been happy with it for YEARS! Sorry no photos.
However, I have the same setup on the two 6 VDC batteries under the bed on the drivers side.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/xantrex-inverter-installation/p56751-xantrex-2-a.html
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Henderson
Sent: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 8:53 PM
To: GMC Mail List
Subject: [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries
My 23' is not an ideal battery hauler. Since there's no place for them in
the rear, they have to ride up front. I use a 3-battery Ragusa aluminum
tray at the right front. That's very convenient for carriage, but NOT for
maintenance. With other mods I've done in that area, it's might' nigh
impossible to R&R the 2 golf cart batteries and completely impossible to
R&R the chassis battery without removing those two. Checking the water in
the golf cart batteries is difficult; in the chassis battery, might' nigh
impossible -- only possible with a mirror to check levels.
So, over the years I've developed a way to remove them through the wheel
well with the tire removed. WIth the inner 1/2 of the wheel well liner
left out
(http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3609-2-piece-wheel-well-liner.html),
as I've run for many years, there is a way: A simple ramp from the back of
the battery tray to the top suspension A-arm gives me an easy way to get
each battery slid into a sort-of-manageable position. I was able to remove
all 3 last week without dropping one or taking a sulfuric acid bath.
Putting batteries back in isn't nearly as easy because the HEAVY batteries
don't slide uphill nearly as easily as downhill. So, a couple of years ago
I devised a battery lift for putting them back in (I'll probably have to
learn to use it for removal too for the next cycle). Here's an album
showing the lift and how it works in case anyone has a similar problem.
Granted, without a lift or ramp, as I have, redesign will be necessary --
maybe using a transmission jack? Or even a regular floor jack?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yk4CDKzsfUIWteGw1
Ken H.
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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Re: [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries [message #326787 is a reply to message #326783] |
Wed, 06 December 2017 04:11 |
Olly Schmidt
Messages: 1265 Registered: February 2014 Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
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Senior Member |
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I hopefully have no more needs to maintain and/or replace the house
battery in my 23' - I went ahead and bought LiFePo4 batteries. Mighty
expensive initial investment at around 8-10x the price of my old
batteries, but with two, for me, big advantages: No maintenance needed,
and you can put them anywhere *inside* the coach. Which is helpful in
the 23'.
--
Best regards
Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
'76a Eleganza II 26', VA
'73 Sequoia 23', Germany, SH
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Best regards
Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
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Re: [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries [message #326790 is a reply to message #326783] |
Wed, 06 December 2017 06:22 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Rob,
Those are exactly what I installed last week. I didn't find prices quite
that good, but wish I'd spent the money 15 years ago! :-)
Ken H.
On Tue, Dec 5, 2017 at 11:33 PM, Rob Mueller
wrote:
> Ken,
>
> I'd suggest:
>
> For the 12VDC battery ($28.39): https://www.rvupgradestore.
> com/Single-Battery-Watering-System-p/55-8755.htm
>
> For the two 6VDC batteries ($44.84): https://www.rvupgradestore.
> com/RV-Battery-Watering-System-p/55-8752.htm
>
> Hand Pump ($18.03): https://www.rvupgradestore.
> com/Flow-Rite-Hand-Pump-p/55-8753.htm
>
> Total: $91.26 plus shipping.
>
> Bottom line: for a hundred bucks you won't have to remove them to service
> them. BTW I have the same setup up front on Double Trouble
> and have been happy with it for YEARS! Sorry no photos.
>
> However, I have the same setup on the two 6 VDC batteries under the bed on
> the drivers side.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/xantrex-inverter-
> installation/p56751-xantrex-2-a.html
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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Re: [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries [message #326793 is a reply to message #326773] |
Wed, 06 December 2017 08:12 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547 Registered: March 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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I cheated.
My coach had a 4D and a Grp27 engine battery. All were on a rotted wood support. As I had to rebuild it, went with a pair of GC2s that are in front where they can be tended, and a Grp25 engine battery is aft of them and quite in accessible, but it is service-proof, so who cares. When I put them in, I could actually life the GC2 out the front hatch. That was then, this is now. Not happenin, so I took the page from ken and a 2x6 and slid them all out to the top of the tire. Still a bear.
If Mary hits to lottery, maybe so new technology. Until then, we are stuck with lead.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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Re: [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries [message #326795 is a reply to message #326793] |
Wed, 06 December 2017 08:51 |
GMCWiperMan
Messages: 1248 Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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On Dec 6, 2017 9:12 AM, "Matt Colie" wrote:
> I cheated.
>
> My coach had a 4D and a Grp27 engine battery. All were on a rotted wood
> support. As I had to rebuild it, went with a pair of GC2s that are in front
> where they can be tended, and a Grp25 engine battery is aft of them and
> quite in accessible, but it is service-proof, so who cares. When I put them
> in, I could actually life the GC2 out the front hatch. That was then,
> this is now. Not happenin, so I took the page from ken and a 2x6 and slid
> them
> all out to the top of the tire. Still a bear.
>
> If Mary hits to lottery, maybe so new technology. Until then, we are
> stuck with lead.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Replacing Batteries [message #326797 is a reply to message #326792] |
Wed, 06 December 2017 09:57 |
Olly Schmidt
Messages: 1265 Registered: February 2014 Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
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Bruce Hislop schrieb/wrote
> Peer,
> I'd like to hear more about your LiFePo4 battery installation. Did you need to replace your converter/charger? or could you modify it for LiFePo4
> battery charging. Also how did you handle the engine charging alternator to make it compatible? or did you just disconnect the engine charging.
>
> I'm leaning towards LiFePo4.
>
The batteries are on order, leaving CZ today, and should arrive her in
Germland by next week. I have a new charger/inverter (Victron Energy
MultiPlus 30-2000-80 (already in) plus a Lynx VE.can in a week or so),
but the batteries themselves have a BMS installed. At the moment, my
plan is to keep the existing charging in place, ie. keep the engine
charging alternator connected.
https://www.ev-power.eu/Winston-40Ah-200Ah/12V-2-4kW-LiFePO4-yacht-set-with-200Ah-cells-BMS-mobile-monitoring.html?cur=1
is the battery I got, in case someone wonders.
--
Best regards
Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
'76a Eleganza II 26', VA
'73 Sequoia 23', Germany, SH
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Best regards
Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
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