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Topic ClosedMounting battery
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crankster78 View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 May 2018
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Posts: 163 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mounting battery
    Posted: 20 Jun 2019 at 6:48pm
Greetings:
Deep cycle are probably the least expensive way to go.  You will most likely get 3 seasons out of it, if you put it on a Smart charger during the winter.  I have a small chain that I wrap around the box and rails, with a padlock.  

Crankster78 2015 R-179
Crankster 78 R-179 2015
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jato View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3224 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2019 at 4:09pm
After hearing about batteries getting 'borrowed' we decided to get one of the 76 dollar enclosed boxes at Harbor Freight.  Mounting was easy, took longer to reposition the regulator and get a longer hose due to the added length needed to mount inside the box.  Also cut a 2" square hole in the rear of my dual propane tank cover (plastic) so the lock could be accessed.
Our batteries are now going on year 9.  They are 12v. group size 24 Interstate deep-cycle and have served us well.  As we normally camp in the shoulder months when the furnace gets used a lot, we expect 6 - 7 days out of both batteries when boondocking.  During summer months, we can go much longer.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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duldcimerbob View Drop Down
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2019 at 1:41pm
Thanks again for the advice. I don't plan to be boondocking so I guess I'll go with the deep cycle battery.
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2019 at 12:34pm
Our RP-179 came equipped with a pair of 12V batteries, each in their own plastic box. Each one was strapped with a 2" web type of strap with a funky 2-piece buckle contraption. They seem to hold OK, but when they start showing their age we will replace them with ratchet straps like Podwerks described.

If we replace the battery boxes (which is a possibility), we may go with something else.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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podwerkz View Drop Down
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Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2019 at 11:25am
My battery boxes are attached to the inset battery rails with self-drilling screws, and I got rid of  those frustrating supplied straps that have two-piece plastic 'buckles'.

I bought metal 'cam-lock' buckle straps. They are typically called 'cargo straps' in the trailering aisle of any big box store. These do not have hooks at each end...instead, the loose end wraps under the battery and back up into the metal cam-lock buckle. They are typically 6-8 feet long, but I cut mine to the desired length and then melted the end with a lighter to keep them from fraying.

Much easier to use.
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2019 at 10:19am
Are you going to be boondocking muc? In that case I would recommend two 6V golf cart batteries in series. This will weigh about 130 lbs so will increase your tongue weight significantly. But most folks who camp without hookups for more than a couple of days find they want the additional storage capacity. The case size is GC2 for that setup.

Otherwise, I would just get a good quality deep cycle 12V battery. Do not get an automotive start battery, they are not designed for cycling use. Either way I personally prefer flooded batteries because they are more tolerant of overcharging than "sealed" batteries (like the AGM for example) are. But you do have to check the water level in them on about a monthly basis and add distilled water as needs. 
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duldcimerbob View Drop Down
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2019 at 9:54am
Thanks for the replies. I don't have a battery at this time, any recommendations as to brand , price etc ?
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 2019 at 10:29pm
If you're not worried about theft a strap around the battery box will work fine. There is nothing short of flipping the trailer on its side or back that is going to make the battery jump up out of there. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 2019 at 10:12pm
I built two versions of a battery lock-down system. Both are described in my mods. The second version is much better because it is much easier to use. I have no need of the fabric straps because the lids are held on with my locking bar.
StephenH
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Pod People View Drop Down
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Joined: 22 Sep 2011
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Posts: 1067 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 2019 at 9:13pm
Our batteries are mounted the same-a simple 2” web strap that goes around the battery box and under the 2 rails and is looped through a plastic buckle. This is on our 2015 model 179. The exact same system was used on our 2009 model 173.
It has worked for us since 2011 without a problem,so far!
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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