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Old 07-22-2019, 02:53 PM   #1
Ken / Claudia
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Questions about going to 6 volt batteries

I read thought some older posts and got a lot of good information. I first purchased 2 battery boxes to make sure they would fit on the battery tongue tray/mount. They will fit fine, so next step is going to Costco when I have time this week.
My questions are have you made the mounting angle iron straps better? where the batteries sit. The dealer said they will hold them and he has not heard of any problems. Looks like the weight will be around 26 more pounds added to the straps.
If I have read the wires correctly the positive and negative on the trailer are 6 ga. The wires they had hooked up in parallel are 4 ga.
Are the 6 ga main wires OK and how about using 1 of the 4 ga short wires for the series connection. Will those work fine?
Last I found metal straps that are made for locking up the batteries from theft. A strap goes around each battery box. Not worried about theft but maybe use them instead of other straps to help hold them implace. I seen a guy on youtube using flexible pipe strapping to do same thing.
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Old 07-22-2019, 03:35 PM   #2
ChuckS
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The gauge of wire you are going to use will be fine. Keep the interconnect wire between the two batteries as short as possible. Costco GC2s will serve you well. On my 4th year with two now
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Old 07-22-2019, 05:24 PM   #3
Steveo57
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When I added two 6 volt batteries to mine I welded a piece of angle iron across the bottom of the tray and beefed up the welds on the existing tray a little.
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Old 07-23-2019, 04:47 PM   #4
Ken / Claudia
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I installed the 6v batteries today. I was thinking of getting a flat bar welded across the middle of the two factory mounts. I think the angled bar would be better-stronger, so that and several cross pieces is what I think I will have done. I have a few friends who weld. Of the many things I fix or build, I never learned welding. Thanks for the comments.
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As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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Old 07-24-2019, 06:20 AM   #5
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I wish I welded, but I don’t. And for the number of times I have needed something welded, it’s easier and safer to have it done by a pro. Having said that, I chose to just trust the existing rails on the tongue of our 2017 21rbs. Kinda tight fit, but worked. I will be keeping a close eye on the factory welds on the rack for any signs of stress cracks. I initially used those cheapo battery straps. Never even made a trip with them. Just kept walking by looking at them and went, no way. So I got some winch straps, black, at HD. Perfect. I know some here on the forum have taken anti-theft measures, I chose not to, places we’ve been so far seem reasonably scum free. Time will tell.
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Old 07-24-2019, 05:14 PM   #6
Customer1
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Your battery mount location is designed to hold two batteries, you don't need to add anything.
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Old 07-24-2019, 06:40 PM   #7
Ken / Claudia
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Maybe more is not needed if everything is in great shape. When I replaced the factory batteries, I did not check the weight. I got AGM 12v RV batteries which are heavier at 48 lbs each. The costco guy said the 6v batteries are 75 lbs each. If just 1 weld fails or the strap rusts enough I think both batteries might end up under the TT. I have taken the TT 2 times now on gravel/dirt/mud roads in forest lands that do not use 6% as max. grades and make curves between the giant pine trees. I drive slow but still have had drawers open, Freezer door open and generally bounce the stuff inside all over after 30 miles of that. I will be going there again end of NOV.
I think I can get a friend to weld it for free, I showed him the TT today. I just need the material.
I did not think about ratchet straps to hold the batteries, that is a good idea. I have some that would work. Much better than the ones that come with the battery boxes or the bungee cords that I now use.
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As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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Old 07-24-2019, 06:59 PM   #8
Steveo57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Customer1 View Post
Your battery mount location is designed to hold two batteries, you don't need to add anything.
Two batteries will fit in the tray. But the factory weld job was nothing more than a little bead on each end of the tray supports. I wouldn't trust it to hold the weight of two six volt batteries for any length of time. I would at least have someone reinforce the welds.
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