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07-09-2018, 05:01 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2016
Location: celina
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #18604
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Batteries in vented box not accessible
We have a 2017 3721rl and I am having a real issue in gaining access to the two batteries to check the water level. The cover on the box has the terminals hard wired to the batteries that are wired in parallel. Just trying to find a better way to access them. Open to your thoughts or ideas. Thanks
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07-09-2018, 09:43 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,700
M.O.C. #12947
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They had to put the covers on after wiring the batteries, so it will be necessary to undo the fasteners that hold the covers on. You may get lucky and have maintenance free batteries that don’t need water added.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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07-09-2018, 10:18 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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The battery cover have to come of some how I cant see them wiring them with cover on.
__________________
Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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07-10-2018, 06:48 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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My 2 six volt and 2 12 volt batteries have not been covered at all for 5 years or so. Never an issue. IMHO the covers are not needed because the front compartment is far from air tight allowing for enough ventilation.
I am very carful not to store anything metal near the batteries that could possibly fall and short them out.
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07-10-2018, 07:53 AM
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#5
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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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Remember the hindenberg?
__________________
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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07-10-2018, 09:58 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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It only takes just once.....
__________________
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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07-10-2018, 10:33 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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Get some 3/4'' plywood and build your own box. That's what i did. Build you a box that is about 1 to 2'' shorter than the batteries then build a lid and put notches in the bottom of the lid where it sits down on the box. The notches will allow you to sit the lid on top of the box and not pinch the cables and wires coming in to the box. With your lid being flat on top you can cut you out a hole and screw the factory vent on top of lid. My lid is about 3 1/2'' or 4'' tall.The lid will be bulky to remove with the vent on top but you will still have plenty of room to lift lid and set aside.My box holds two 6 volt batteries. When you build your box install all your cables and wires then you can see where to notch out your lid so as to sit down flat on the box. I have an deltran 1.5 volt charger i keep connected at all times using pig tails always connected to the battery and extending out so i can plug in outside of box to keep charged and never have to raise lid except to top off water about 3 times a year.
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07-10-2018, 12:03 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2016
Location: celina
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #18604
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I removed the hard wired terminals and I was able to check the water level. After I reinstalled the terminals, I got a 13.7 volt reading. The water level was fine. Maybe there was a loose connection that I fixed when I put it back together. I will continue to see if I can make the access a little better.
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07-10-2018, 05:12 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcurtis934
Remember the hindenberg?
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If the Hindenburg would have had holes in it as big as there is in the battery box it would have never gotten off the ground.
Lynwood
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07-11-2018, 06:57 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STAYTON
Posts: 1,118
M.O.C. #18157
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gary s swenson
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I removed the hard wired terminals and I was able to check the water level. After I reinstalled the terminals, I got a 13.7 volt reading. The water level was fine. Maybe there was a loose connection that I fixed when I put it back together. I will continue to see if I can make the access a little better.
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I got tired of removing the lids and 1/2 the cables,then trying to hit the holes with the water. I purchased a battery watering system, now I give the bulb a squeeze every month or so and go on about my business.👍
Mark
__________________
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”
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07-11-2018, 07:56 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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I don't know what your setup looks like Gary but it sounds like the cables go over your vent covers. Would re-routing the cables, probably by buying longer ones, solve that issue?
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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07-11-2018, 08:03 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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I bought a watering can which makes topping off the batteries easy and no more water on top of batteries when missing the hole.
https://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Battery.../dp/B00NB808P0
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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07-11-2018, 08:50 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trinidad, TX
Posts: 506
M.O.C. #20746
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MARK A
I got tired of removing the lids and 1/2 the cables,then trying to hit the holes with the water. I purchased a battery watering system, now I give the bulb a squeeze every month or so and go on about my business.👍
Mark
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What watering system did you get? I've got one on my golf cart and it is a life saver. I was thinking about the same thing for the Montana.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4X4 Dually Cummins Aisin CC LB / B&W Companion hitch
50 Gallon Transfer Flow in bed tank w/ Trax 3
2018 Montana 3121RL
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07-11-2018, 08:56 AM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2016
Location: celina
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #18604
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Mark a I would also like to know what battery watering system you bought. Sounds like it would be a good idea. Thanks gary
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07-15-2018, 05:52 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kearney
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #19098
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Battery Waterer
This is the waterer I use on my coach. Works great.
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07-15-2018, 08:07 PM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2016
Location: celina
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #18604
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Thanks mikebeat1 this really looks good
Regards
Gary
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