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07-27-2018, 01:12 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Worthington
Posts: 146
M.O.C. #21597
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Battery box
In my 2010 3400rl Montana, the cover to my battery box does not fit down over the battery. With the lead wires and my negative cutoff switch, and mounted pretty close to the hydraulics it just doesn’t fit. The box has the vent hose coming off of it. Am I asking for trouble if I just remove the top and vent hose and add a tye down strap to the base of the box to keep it from banging around on a rough road or an accident. As always, thanks in advance.
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07-27-2018, 01:33 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,707
M.O.C. #7992
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I wouldn't run it with the top off. I don't know how much these batteries gas but if any at all it can be corrosive. I would move the battery cut off switch outside the box. (will probably require some modifications of the switch but doable. Any knife switch will do the same thing in the negative cable.)
__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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07-27-2018, 01:38 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I went to sealed batteries and left the box behind.
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07-27-2018, 02:12 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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I also went agm so I don't have to deal with distilled water and off-gassing. And yes, they do this and it is a personal choice as to how much you gamble.
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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07-27-2018, 04:39 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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AGMs solve many issues. If nothing can fall on the terminals and short out, topless is fine. If it is a water battery I would vent it and use the lid.
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07-28-2018, 04:51 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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I removed all the stock boxes/vents etc. Built a wood tray that holds 2-6 volt and 2-12 volt batteries tightly so they do not move around. No covers. No issues in 3 years. The covers are nothing more than a PITA to remove every time you want to check the water level. I believe the batteries do not gas off much at all and if they did the front compartment is so leaky that it would dissipate a problem.
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07-28-2018, 04:56 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,372
M.O.C. #8728
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I went to Lowes and bought a storage container that holds my two 12 volt batteries. I vented the bottom and lid. It snaps shut and is easy to remove to check the water.
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07-28-2018, 05:42 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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This discussion is making me move AGMs up on my list of Mods to make.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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07-28-2018, 06:57 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Fulton
Posts: 456
M.O.C. #20688
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I just cut out the box top enough for the wires to clear. Drilled 2 small holes on the outside lip and put the "S" hooks and rubber strap over the box cover.
Also ran wires for TPMS repeater thru the same way.
__________________
Wayne & Malinda
2018 Montana 3731FL
MORryde IS/DiscBrakes
2017 F450 DRW KR 4x4
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07-28-2018, 04:47 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Worthington
Posts: 146
M.O.C. #21597
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Please explain AGIs. Thanks
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07-29-2018, 12:19 AM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: gresham
Posts: 489
M.O.C. #11202
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bnrc73
Please explain AGIs. Thanks
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Absorbent Glass Mat
I got rid of the OEM single battery box when I upgraded to two batteries.
Instead of buying an expensive sealed and vented dual battery box, I found a Coleman cooler that would just fit two group-27 12v batteries with a little room to spare, bolted it to the floor and used PVC pipe to vent down through the existing hole, drilled a hole in the lid and used PVC fitting to plumb into the existing upper vent hose, drilled holes in the side of the cooler for the battery cables and sealed them with silicone. Then fabricated a battery tie-down with 3/8" all-thread, some plywood, and 1/4" rubber sheeting. All together, I think it cost me $30.
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07-29-2018, 04:25 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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07-29-2018, 04:55 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Worthington
Posts: 146
M.O.C. #21597
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Thanks for all the tips. I found out if I rotated the box at an angle away from the hydraulic pump, that I could get the lid on. I will have to get a different negative shutoff bar. No room in the box for it. I'll have to get one to mount to the trailer.
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07-29-2018, 05:06 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,888
M.O.C. #19944
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Don't AGM's to get most live require a different charging system?
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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07-29-2018, 05:20 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba
This discussion is making me move AGMs up on my list of Mods to make.
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That's kinda where I'm at too!
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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07-29-2018, 05:23 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ram Montana High Country
Don't AGM's to get most live require a different charging system?
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I think your thinking of Gel Cell batteries which are different from the AGM.
Read up on your Converter model just to verify though.
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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07-29-2018, 05:30 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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I will also add that my battery box lid will not stay down either. It NEEDS a tie down strap across the top that I will be installing shortly. Problem is they have heavy wire cables connected to thru panel fittings and the wires tend to pull and push on the bo such that it simply will not stay down. It is a VERY flawed design.
On the subject of battery disconnects. IF you have two batteries, look into the two battery disconnect switches they have for boats. It allows you to select between Off, battery 1, battery 2 or both. They work great and allow you some flexibility on battery use. They also mount easily. My unit actually has multiple long leads that will make hookup very easy. Just be aware there are some things (like gas detectors) that need to remain on.
__________________
James & Irene Wilson
Bee Branch, AR.
2017 Ram 1 ton diesel duallyCrew Cab/Long Bed
2018 Montana High Country 381TH Garage Full of Toys
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07-29-2018, 05:45 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Medford
Posts: 498
M.O.C. #18546
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If you run two batteries in parallel, you really don’t want to run on one battery, with the other one disconnected, for the same reason you need to replace both batteries at the same time.
__________________
2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
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08-05-2018, 02:46 PM
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#19
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Tucson
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #18460
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My battery box covers also don't fit tight but I'm sure glad I still use them. Earlier this year one of my two standard lead acid batteries (Interstates from Costco) developed an internal short during our trip to San Diego. I didn't realize it until the next morning when I happened to go into the front basement. My IR thermometer had that battery at ~200º and it was off-gassing
There was a little smell of gas in the basement, just enough to make me notice and check the batteries, most of it vented to the outside. You could see the gas rising off the battery.
Bottom line is that I'll keep using my battery boxes, even with AGMs.
__________________
-Ray
2012 Montana 3750FL
2016 Ram 3500 6.7L Turbo Diesel 4x2 SRW CC LB
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08-05-2018, 03:36 PM
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#20
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Houston
Posts: 1
M.O.C. #18674
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We have a 2014 291RLT and just had to fork out $400 dollars to replace a hydraulic leveler hose whose insulation had rubbed off due to the sharp edges and vibration on the adjacent, 2 pc battery box. Such a poor design that they would expose the critical hoses to road vibration.
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