Holding the battery down

[dirttracker Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dirttracker]

Hi all,
I have looked to see if this has been covered, but no luck.
I have a new 100 AHr battery (30 kg) in my Jayco Camper but I don't trust the battery box, held down by four screws, and strap. How do you hold down your batteries in your campers or in the back of your vehicle?

[D4D-GXL Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D-GXL]

Hi there Martin, as you mentioned, I would not trust your battery mounting either.
To be on the safe side, I would have a look under the van directly below where the battery is mounted. What you should be looking for is either some significantly thick timber or some steel framing that you can bolt the battery mounting down with. You may need to use stainless 10mm bolts/nuts and washers as they are stronger than normal steel bolts.

Have you got any pics to show us your battery setup from above (without the battery) and from underneath (where the screws come through). Would be helpful to see what your up against.

[dirttracker Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dirttracker]

Thanks Gordon,
That was my thinking also. I intend to put either some large washers or plates on the inside and the same under the floor. It is interesting that you think that stainless is stronger. I have not heard that. I do know that you have to be careful with stainless if you need to do them up tight as they snap and are more brittle than mild steel. I could use high tensile but I think all that is over kill. Stainless would be good for longevity. As to the size of the bolts, do you mean 10 mm head, ie 1/4 shank? or 10 mm shank? 10 mm shank is huge and would simply move the weak point to the box itself.
I will post a pic tomorrow to assist your thinking and suggestions.