Battery box question

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

OK, I follow that. What is the battery clamped to?

The rough-riding vehicle structure, of course... but that's still better than bouncing loose.

[gbaglo]

Trying to wrap my head around this scenario.
It is better for the battery if it bounces up and down ( I'm thinking Skagit washboard ) while clamped to the frame, than if it bounces up and down inside the battery box, which is clamped to the frame?
You probably know that I'm not likely to do anything, but, for the sake of argument...

[santacruzer]

The battery is actually pretty secure inside the box, what with its weight and cables, and would not likely bounce out. The lid to the battery box just slips on, and it's the strap that holds that down.

[RonS]

Sorry!
I was just trying to correct/repair a corrosion issue on the back bumper due to the battery setup.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by RonS

Sorry!
I was just trying to correct/repair a corrosion issue on the back bumper due to the battery setup.

Why apologize? This has been a great sharing of information.

Besides, there are some who have now had the opportunity to tell you that the corrosion is just fine - rust, rotting wood, and unsecured batteries are all part of the RV ownership experience, and if it's not the aspect of the trailer that interests them, it should not be improved.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by santacruzer

The battery is actually pretty secure inside the box, what with its weight and cables, and would not likely bounce out.

I agree that short of a collision, the battery won't bounce right out of the box. Speaking of those cables and there connections... that's another reason I would prefer that the battery not move around.

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Trying to wrap my head around this scenario.
It is better for the battery if it bounces up and down ( I'm thinking Skagit washboard ) while clamped to the frame, than if it bounces up and down inside the battery box, which is clamped to the frame?

Yes, I believe so, because the shock of "landing" if it bounces out of contact with the frame is worse than following the frame down. I may be mistaken, of course, but then every motor vehicle manufacturer who uses a clamp inside a box seems to be similarly mistaken. Could be.

It's not a big deal, either way.

[Brian B-P]

I don't want to belabour the point, but I finally searched the right place and found this in the FAQ from Interstate (the manufacturer of batteries used by Escape)...
What are the most common causes of premature battery failures?

• Deep discharges (leaving your lights on)
• Misapplication
• Using an undersized battery
• Loss of electrolyte due to under-hood heat or overcharging
• Undercharging or loose alternator belt
• Excessive vibration (due to loose hold down clamp)
• Corrosion
• Freezing (any fully-charged vehicle battery will not freeze until the temperature is -75 degrees F. Frozen batteries are not warrantable.)
• Failure to charge a battery during a period of 6 months or more

(I added the bolding for emphasis of the relevant part)
So, it looks like a clamp is desirable, although obviously not required.

[tractors1]

Is there some way to wrap the battery case in plastic bubble wrap to act as a shock absorber?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I don't want to belabour the point.....

Hmmm, it would seem to be something you love to do.