Tongue / Battery Box ???

[PSBreen]

We would like to put our battery and fuse box in a nice tongue box. I'm a little concerned about hydrogen gas from the battery (lead acid or AGM) but have some ideas. I was planning to build the tongue box bigger than really needed so I can do the following.

1. Battery in a battery box to help contain any spillage.
2. Battery in it's own separate vented compartment to keep gases away form the fuse box.
3. All wires coming from the battery and going to the cab would run through sealed holes.

Just wanting a little input from the group. If I do all that should I expect any trouble?

Thanks.

[bdosborn]

Its pretty common to put the battery in the tongue box and I don't think anyone's had any problems. Just make sure the battery is vented to the outside of the box by a high and low vent. There's also vented battery boxes you can buy.



PPL Linky

Bruce

[phillyswift]

This is helpful. But does anyone know where to find battery boxes that will hold two 12 volt batteries? I'd like to wire mine in parallel and have more time off the grid. I have found dual SIX volt battery boxes, but none for 12 volt. I am willing to make my own as long as they comply to safety standards. Thanks as usual for the fantastic advice.

[eamarquardt]

Two six volt batteries will provide just as much power as 12 volt batteries (if sized properly). Unless you want the option of switching from one to the other or removing one so it can be charged as you toodle about in your vehicle it would be the samo somo.

21 million VW Beetles had the battery inside the vehicle under the rear seat. They also had ash trays and cigarette lighters so I bet a few had owners that were smokers. I've never heard of one blowing up. I did have a voltage regulator fail and overcharge the battery. I realized there was a problem when the sulfuric acid fumes caused me to cough and my eyes to water. Never blew up though.

Cheers,

Gus

[bc toys]

I went to RV store got a battery box vent and installed it in me tounge box don't think much rain will get in it

[Richard A.]

This is helpful. But does anyone know where to find battery boxes that will hold two 12 volt batteries? I'd like to wire mine in parallel and have more time off the grid. I have found dual SIX volt battery boxes, but none for 12 volt.

Check how many amp hours those two 6 volt batteries will provide (connected in serial) vs two 12 volt batteries (connected in parallel)

Many 6 volt batteries are what are commonly called "golf cart" batteries .. and are very well constructed .. and (if properly cared for) will last a lot longer then common "marine/deep cycle" batteries purchased at department stores.

PLUS golf cart batteries are true deep cycle batteries, while marine/deep cycle batteries are seldom true deep cycle (but they are better than car batteries) and as such are able to be drained to a much lower level than the marine/deep cycle battery before sustaining damage.

[bdosborn]

Check how many amp hours those two 6 volt batteries will provide (connected in serial) vs two 12 volt batteries (connected in parallel)

Many 6 volt batteries are what are commonly called "golf cart" batteries .. and are very well constructed .. and (if properly cared for) will last a lot longer then common "marine/deep cycle" batteries purchased at department stores.

PLUS golf cart batteries are true deep cycle batteries, while marine/deep cycle batteries are seldom true deep cycle (but they are better than car batteries) and as such are able to be drained to a much lower level than the marine/deep cycle battery before sustaining damage.

X2

Bruce

[phillyswift]

Thanks for your feedback, gents. I apologize for the delay - tntt.com replies were in my Spam folder. Damned email.