Battery tray

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Just added a metal box on the tongue.  Got it from Harbor Freight for $72 plus tax, license, and dealer prep.  I had to get a couple other things that added to the cost of installation, such as a rubber grommet for the battery cables, self tapping screws, & eyebolts for the battery tie-downs.  I recycled the old plastic battery boxes into little trays under the batteries and cut out the switch from the top and attached it to the inside of the box.  All and all, it is a pretty functional box and cost under $80 to install.  

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lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2586	Topic: Battery tray Posted: 12 Apr 2019 at 7:11pm
	Just added a metal box on the tongue. Got it from Harbor Freight for $72 plus tax, license, and dealer prep. I had to get a couple other things that added to the cost of installation, such as a rubber grommet for the battery cables, self tapping screws, & eyebolts for the battery tie-downs. I recycled the old plastic battery boxes into little trays under the batteries and cut out the switch from the top and attached it to the inside of the box. All and all, it is a pretty functional box and cost under $80 to install.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1065	Posted: 12 Apr 2019 at 8:55pm
	I have a metal battery box just like the picture in Texman's post above. It came on my 179 when I bought it. I can't use it and removed it. I will give it away if you pay shipping or come and get it. Vann
	Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

Motor7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2019 Location: E. TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 196	Posted: 15 Apr 2019 at 6:30pm

	2016 R-Pod 176T

Motor7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2019 Location: E. TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 196	Posted: 15 Apr 2019 at 6:31pm
	There are two 6v's in there..............
	2016 R-Pod 176T

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2627	Posted: 15 Apr 2019 at 6:50pm
	Motor7, Who makes that battery box, and where'd you get it?
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Motor7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2019 Location: E. TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 196	Posted: 16 Apr 2019 at 6:55am
	Here ya go GG: https://allbatterysalesandservice.com/century-plastics-heavy-duty-battery-box-holds-2-6-volt-golf-cart-batteries-gce-g It fits on the original tray holder, but you will need some kind of strap to go around the whole thing and keep the lid down. I used a small ratchet strap.
	2016 R-Pod 176T

lkrobbins Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 May 2021 Location: Salem, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 05 May 2021 at 9:25am
	Newbee to the forum and have learned lots of great info from here, so I thought I would share my solution for a secure battery box for my Rpod. Like some of the other Rpod posters on the forum, I decided to go with the HAUL-MASTER 2.31 Cu. Ft. Steel Trailer Tongue Box (https://www.harborfreight.com/231-cu-ft-steel-trailer-tongue-box-61602.html) I had to make some minor modifications to make it fit by turning the propane tank around and making a small cut at the bottom of the propane cover. I have to remove the propane cover in order to access the lock on front of the box, but it fits snug between the propane tank and front of the trailer. The construction of the box is a lightweight steel and the lock is a cheap cam lock mechanism. I would not trust the security of this box by putting expensive equipment in it such as lithium ion batteries. However, I am using less expensive deep cycle lead batteries. I estimate I could get 3 batteries into the box, although I currently just have one. I also added a bettery cut off switch to the box itself. Overall, an affordable option that does the job at a fraction of the cost of other secure boxes I looked at ($100 vs $300 plus). I give it 2 out of 5 stars on durability, but it does fit nicely on the Rpod trailer tongue.
	Keith

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3216	Posted: 05 May 2021 at 4:02pm
	Keith, that is the same box I purchased from HF 4 years ago and it is holding up well. Holds a pair of 12v group size 24 deep cycle batteries that are 10 years old. What I did on the 2 tank propane cover was to cut a 2" hole directly in front of the locking mechanism on the HF box to access the lock. Pretty easy to reach in the top of the propane cover and unlock the box. Also, I did cut four 1" holes in the HF box for venting the batteries. 1 along the top of the vertical on each side and 2 on the base. They were all covered inside the box with a small enough mesh to keep bees and wasps out.
	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."

lkrobbins Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 May 2021 Location: Salem, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 06 May 2021 at 9:17am
	Great idea jato about cutting out an access to the lock in the propane cover. I just ordered a black plastic vent cover to put over the vent hole I drilled out in the back of the box. I plan to upgrade to two golf cart batteries next. I have already measured and the HF box should be able to easily accommodate their extra height compared to a standard size battery. My last upgrade will be to install a solar controller inside the box and add a solar hookup plug to the side. I'll take more pics and do an updated post when completed.
	Keith