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Desert Captain

Payson

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Posted: 06/27/23 10:50am

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My house bank consists of 2 group 27 AGM's in my 2012 Nexus 24' C . They are over 4 years old and while they still work well they have been doing so for progressively shorter periods. The first 3+ years I could sit for 3 - 4 days without needing to run the generator but lately they would begin to show voltage drops under load after 2 - 3 days. Driving for a couple of hours or running the genny would recharge them enough for simple usage but they just did not hold the charge like they used to.

Started doing the requisite research a few weeks ago and elected to go with a pair of Renogy 12V AGM 100 Ah AGM's that weigh in at 64# each. They are highly rated and at $189 a piece {$412 OTD with tax but no freight - delivered in 3 days -Thanks Amazon} were a pretty good value.

After 11 years and 75,000 + miles the battery compartment was showing a lot of wear and tear. The latch securing the battery tray had failed due to the rust and corrosion about a year ago and all of the hardware needed to be cleaned/replaced. My mechanic came up with a clever way to secure the tray a few months ago using quarter inch all thread double nutted on each end.

Removing the tray and slider was a PITA as the rust and corrosion had a pretty good grip. WD40 and some serious wrenching {and no small amount of profanity later} everything finally came out. I used my half inch AC drill with a 3" wire wheel to take down the worst of the corrosion. I then sprayed the compartment and hardware with aerosol bedliner and replaced all of the nuts and bolts.

Here are several pics that cover the entire job:

[image]

The center of the rear of the tray had succumbed to the worst of the corrosion, look closely anyou can see where it had eaten through. I took a piece of sheet metal and used my vice to shape it into a 'V" which I secured and locked into shape with 3 C clamps and 2 pieces of wood locked it in with Gorilla Glue upside down over the gap.

After all of the battery cable/connections got scrubbed with a wire toothbrush dipped in baking soda/H2O it was time to commence the reassembly. Somehow the new batteries were an inch longer than anticipated [emoticon]

so I had to bend the back wall of the tray back 90 degrees {another trip to the large vice on my workbench} and happily it just fit.

[image]

I slipped a thick piece of an old leather belt between the all thread and the new batteries for chafe protection

[image]

It took about 8 hours spread over 3 days, the first two while I waited for the batteries to be delivered. Not a fun Job but I'm satisfied with the results. With the converter on I'm showing 13.2 volts and the V-10 is delivering 14.2. Should be back to sitting for at least 4 days at a time without needing to run the penny and we rarely stay anywhere that long.

Not too bad for an old guy {pushing 72}}. [emoticon]

* This post was edited 06/27/23 11:01am by Desert Captain *

bobndot

USA

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Posted: 06/27/23 11:52am

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Thanks for the battery info. My grp 27’s will be due soon.
We’re the same age. I would have to hook up jumper cables to my earlobes to do that.
I give you a lot of credit , very nice, well done and thank you for taking the time to explain and post the pics.

Bob

PartyOf Five

Wheaton, IL

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Posted: 06/27/23 12:19pm

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I've been stretching out the compartment maintenance so this is a good path to follow, thanks!

PartyOf5 appreciating our Creator thru the created. 5 yrsL 50k, 49 states & 9 provinces.

May you find Peace in all you endeavor.

1995brave

San Antonio, TX

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Posted: 06/28/23 06:35am

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I have a 2018 Nexus 24P and have been dreading doing my battery compartment. Seeing your results has given me hope again and as soon as the temp decides to drop I'll get started on mine. Mine is rusted so bad I could only pull the tray half way out. I bought mine used in 2021 and the dealer replaced the batteries.

Dusty R

Charlotte Michigan 48813

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Posted: 06/28/23 06:57am

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Maybe try using stainless steel.

Desert Captain

Payson

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Posted: 06/28/23 02:21pm

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1995brave wrote:

Because of the weight {in my case, 128#} the tray is not designed to slide all of the way out, about half way is as far as it goes. Disconnect and remove the batteries and then you will have access to the tray and slider.

With the batteries removed slide the tray as far back as it will go. Tilt the forward {outside} end of the tray up about 30 degrees and pull forward a about an inch. Look at the second pic in my post and you will see the opening slots on either side of the slider base. The bolts on the sides should lift out of the slider track and the slider and tray will lift out as one piece.

Hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Good luck.

[emoticon]

Chum lee

Albuquerque, NM

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Posted: 06/29/23 10:04am

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Nice job! Bet you are glad to have that behind you. One note: Make sure those flat head machine screws that hold the sliding shelf down to the track (in the back behind the batteries) don't contact, or come close to the battery cases. With all the bouncing around while driving, IMO, it wouldn't take long to wear a small hole into the bottom/side of your new battery cases.

Chum lee

Desert Captain

Payson

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Posted: 06/29/23 02:30pm

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Chum lee wrote:

Thanks, good call, I'll just pull those two back screws/nuts as the front 2 will keep the tray and slider together. Wish I had caught it before {Too soon old, too late smart} [emoticon]

The front two are clear of the battery cases and the all thread keeps them from shifting.

[emoticon]

1995brave

San Antonio, TX

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Posted: 06/30/23 06:29am

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I was thinking about changing over to a 200ah LifePo4 battery and placing it in the box under the step. It will fit with a little room to spare. Then taking and getting a metal box made to replace the battery box and turn it into a large storage area.

ron.dittmer

North-East Illinois

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Posted: 06/30/23 09:57pm

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I went in the other direction, getting rid of our manufactured slide-out tray.

Our 2-battery tray has full extension drawer glides. I had to give up the tray when going from two 12V batteries, to two 6V batteries because the 6Vs are taller. Giving up the tray, gained the height I needed.

I went with AGM technology to avoid maintenance, so there is no need to have a tray. I installed the batteries in April 2015, and they have remained undisturbed since then.

Here are some before and after pictures.
BEFORE with two 12V wet acid batteries.
AFTER with two 6V AGM batteries.

If you want to purchase a full extension manufactured slide-out battery tray like I had, here is the manufacture of mine. The label seems to be difficult to read.

EZ-GLIDE by Fleming Sales Company, Inc.
2101 Industrial Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46516
574-295-0234
[image]

I had bought a second one so I have two. You can see what happens after 8 years of boil-overs.
[image]

* This post was edited 06/30/23 10:46pm by ron.dittmer *

2007 Phoenix Cruiser model 2350, with 2006 Jeep Liberty in-tow

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