Pondering moving Battery under the frame

[hwitten]

While I'm pondering eventual battery replacement I'm thinking going to 2 x 6 Volt. I don't want to give up any additional room inside and outside front I don't like either. This leaves underneath the only options. Clearance won't be a problem. I'm thinking 2 x 6 volt AGM on their side so that I can mount with minimum height, I.e. 7 inches versus 12.

Anyone done it?

[Miriam C.]

Oh boy! Danny did this with regular 12's and hangers. Worked out well for him and looked real nice!

[halfdome, Danny]

Thanks Miriam,
Here's a picture.
Danny

[hwitten]

Wow, that does look good. Thanks for the pic.

Since this is an after build mod, I'm wondering if I should get the initial verticals welded on or if bolts would suffice. Bolts would be much easier, as I don't weld but am concerned about drilling in the 2x2" cross member so as not to jeopardize integrity of the frame re strength. Any thoughts?

[KCStudly]

Get it welded.

[doug hodder]

I'd weld it, but then I have that capability. I really don't think you'd have any issue with bolting it up however. In a 2x2 angle cross member on a frame and weight of that size it should be fine. Others opinions may vary. The longsills on the frame are more prone to failure with holes as opposed to the cross members. Doug

[KCStudly]

I assumed "2x2" meant square tube. If it is tube and you bolt it there is the possibility/likelihood that the tube will crush some, either by tightening the bolts or later due to the weight of the battery working on the bolts. It would therefore be preferred to have anti-crush sleeves (tube or pipe with ID that suits your bolt size) welded in. Since this, too, would require welding, I just cut to the chase and suggested getting it welded.

If it is angle it would depend on the thickness of the material. If it is thin 1/8 inch, I would think twice about hanging a heavy battery load cantilevered off of it. L2x2x3/16 or 1/4 thk would make me feel better about it.

[doug hodder]

Good points KC...it's tough for me to really make a call on it since I don't know the length of the cross members that he is attaching it to or the details on the existing material, or if he is even wanting to attach it to a cross member. I just took a shot at it based on my experience. Doug

[hwitten]

Excellent assumption re the 2 x 2 square. That's what it is. Total width is 55 inches between wheels. I'm going to go with welding. Maybe add a stiffener if I add the batteries in the middle so as to keep the batt cable short. Found the Battery Box at Jegs. Alternatively I may mount each Batt Box closer to the outside and use a #1 or #2 wire to connect the 2 x 6 volt in series.

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[bdosborn]

Don't forget that regular golf cart batteries need to be watered regularly. I have to add water to mine every couple of months so you'll want to leave access. I know you said you were looking at AGMs but you might fall off your chair when you see the price.

Bruce

[hwitten]

Yeah, I already picked myself off the floor a couple of times but I'm going to stick with AGM's. 1) I'm going to lay them on their side to minimize height of battery box needed, which means I'll have to build a custom one instead of Jegs. 2) I was really, really, really bad at keeping batteries watered in my GMC

[Lgboro]

I've pulled my tear for over 19,000 miles with my battery under my tear without issues. I had a neighbor that years ago had welded up a 1/4 inch aluminum battery box he never used so I got a case for free. Mine has 7 inches of clearance but has not been a problem so far. I located it just behind the axle.

[hwitten]

Got a couple of AGM's from a local battery shop for $100 each with 12 month swap-out.
After much pondering I decided to take the easy way out and keep the batteries inside. By mounting them on end I'll take up no extra floorspace.

Was a bit concerned about replacing 55lbs with 140lbs but in trial and error testing the ground clearance changed only about an 1/8" and really made no difference if I had one on each side versus both on one side, near center.

This weekend's project