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02-26-2017, 04:58 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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21' Dual Battery Filler
After trying to fill the batteries on my 21' dual battery setup, I quickly decided that a change was in order.
The battery on the right was fairly easy but the battery on the left was under the bench and difficult to reach.
So, off to Google search to look for a solution. The Flow-Rite system seemed to fit the Escape the best and I ordered it.
Next is the installation:
__________________
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe in fixing it so that it never breaks.
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02-26-2017, 05:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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Step 1 was to remove the existing filler caps and install the new ones.
Step 2 is where I have connected the hoses to the filler caps. The hoses that come with the kit are a little long so I had to trim about a 1/2" off each one to fit. Then I cut a piece of the long hose to go between the two batteries then connected the remaining hose to the end connection.
Step 3 - I connected the hand pump, put it a bottle of distilled water, and checked for leaks by pumping it up.
Step 4 was to drill a hole into the top side of the battery enclosure just smaller than the hose, push the hose through the hole, and connect it back to the end connection. I also used the same drill bit to drill a notch in the lid to match.
__________________
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe in fixing it so that it never breaks.
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02-26-2017, 07:33 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 140
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Battery photos
Tom, I really appreciate the images you posted. I have no Escape experience and no knowledge of what I have ordered. Seeing the installation of the batteries is very helpful. While I have not chosen the u shaped dinette, I have decided to install my own solar system and the photos give me some idea of the work ahead.
Thanks. Steve
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02-26-2017, 08:31 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 140
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Watering system
Hey! The battery watering system is very nice!
Steve
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02-27-2017, 05:50 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Naples, Florida
Trailer: New 21 Escape (not classic)10/16 Sold Lil Snoozy 7/16
Posts: 484
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battery box
when drilling through plastic box what kind of sealant did you use ? ETI put some gooey stuff where the cables come into battery box? what is that stuff ?
Why did you need to refill batteries so soon ? Thanks Jim
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02-27-2017, 06:15 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,561
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Kinda liking my maintenance free AGM batteries more and more, as in my 5.0TA that left battery is a bit tougher to get at.
I too am curious about the need for more water already. I topped mine up once a year before this, and rarely added much at all.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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02-27-2017, 08:17 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jennykatz
when drilling through plastic box what kind of sealant did you use ? ETI put some gooey stuff where the cables come into battery box? what is that stuff ?
Why did you need to refill batteries so soon ? Thanks Jim
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I spent most of my life as a maintenance/reliability engineer. As such, I never took anything for granted. The batteries didn't need water but they were on my checklist to confirm. When I saw how difficult it was going to be to fill that one battery, I started looking for a solution.
I drilled the hole in the battery box such that the hole was slightly smaller than the water hose. I squeezed the hose through the hole and it was an air tight fit requiring no sealant.
The stuff Escape uses on the other penetrations is electrical duct seal.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gardner-Ben...t-Seal/4595233
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02-27-2017, 12:52 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fremont, California
Trailer: 2016 21/ '16 Tundra 4.6L Dbl. Cab
Posts: 1,564
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
Kinda liking my maintenance free AGM batteries more and more, as in my 5.0TA that left battery is a bit tougher to get at.
I too am curious about the need for more water already. I topped mine up once a year before this, and rarely added much at all.
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This my experience also. I checked the batteries shortly after pick-up and they were full. I just rechecked, after almost a year and added just a little to each. I followed Baglo's lead and use my wife's favorite turkey blaster. It makes good Thanksgiving Dinner conversation......
__________________
Steve and Debbie
2016 - 21'
“Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down” -Indigo Girls
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02-27-2017, 01:35 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Clark
This my experience also. I checked the batteries shortly after pick-up and they were full. I just rechecked, after almost a year and added just a little to each. I followed Baglo's lead and use my wife's favorite turkey blaster. It makes good Thanksgiving Dinner conversation......
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"Say, did you use a little vinegar when you brined the turkey?"
__________________
Rich & Mary
"Everything in moderation, including moderation."
- Oscar Wilde
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02-27-2017, 02:08 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 140
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
After trying to fill the batteries on my 21' dual battery setup, I quickly decided that a change was in order.
The battery on the right was fairly easy but the battery on the left was under the bench and difficult to reach.
Next is the installation:
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Would it be possible to move/relocate the battery box so it would be easy to do maintenance? It looks like a three inch move would be all it takes.
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02-27-2017, 03:23 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fremont, California
Trailer: 2016 21/ '16 Tundra 4.6L Dbl. Cab
Posts: 1,564
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zardoz
"Say, did you use a little vinegar when you brined the turkey?"
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Affirm, a little vinegar can mask any unpleasant odors.
__________________
Steve and Debbie
2016 - 21'
“Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down” -Indigo Girls
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02-28-2019, 07:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starbrightsteve
Would it be possible to move/relocate the battery box so it would be easy to do maintenance? It looks like a three inch move would be all it takes.
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I'm going to check on this in May, either move the box or drill holes in the support top board. The only issue with moving is there is a vent hose that exits the rear behind the spare, that needs to be addressed.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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02-28-2019, 07:46 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,213
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The more important issue would be wire length which is why it would be best to have ETI do it during build.
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
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02-28-2019, 08:02 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
I'm going to check on this in May, either move the box or drill holes in the support top board. The only issue with moving is there is a vent hose that exits the rear behind the spare, that needs to be addressed.
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Good idea! Moving the battery over and adding a passenger side access door would create another outside accessible storage area.
__________________
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe in fixing it so that it never breaks.
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02-28-2019, 08:55 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Front Range, Colorado
Trailer: ?
Posts: 739
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Another possible issue with moving the heavy batteries towards the center may well be the weight balance of the trailer.
In the 21’ the two single heaviest items are probably the batteries and the refrigerator. They are intentionally, I suspect, placed on opposite sides of the trailer to even the weight distribution.
Reece would be the source for this info. I’m just guessing based on past RV experience.
When weight scales are available that permit weighing each side of the trailer individually, shifting stuff around to maintain a good weight balance side-to-side is suggested.
Today I Used my new-to-me tongue scale on my loaded new-to-me 21’ and shifted stuff around until I was happy with the fore and aft weight distribution. No way to do side-to-side at this point. I’m just conscious of the issue when loading stuff.
Enjoy your travels.
Ed
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02-28-2019, 10:47 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starbrightsteve
Would it be possible to move/relocate the battery box so it would be easy to do maintenance? It looks like a three inch move would be all it takes.
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In my 2014 the battery box is shifted to the right as you say, I have no trouble getting to the fillers. Wonder if folks putting in their build sheets could just ask for the move.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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10-20-2020, 05:23 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 21
Posts: 174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
After trying to fill the batteries on my 21' dual battery setup, I quickly decided that a change was in order.
The battery on the right was fairly easy but the battery on the left was under the bench and difficult to reach.
So, off to Google search to look for a solution. The Flow-Rite system seemed to fit the Escape the best and I ordered it.
Next is the installation:
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Thanks for this post. Just did an identical mod on my '21. Had I found this earlier, I'd have saved myself a lot of time. I can't believe how inaccessible the second battery is. Unless the box is moved, I think a single point watering system is essential.
On top of everything else, the negative cable nut on that battery was only finger tight (on my three month old trailer).
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10-20-2020, 06:55 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ridgway, Colorado
Trailer: 2018,5.0 TA
Posts: 337
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I'm looking into these, Hydrocap | Hydro caps they recombine the hydrogen and oxygen back into water and put it back into the battery.
They don't eliminate watering but it says they extend the watering cycle 4 to 10 times.
From the FAQs
Where are HYDROCAPS used?
Primarily in industrial applications. Battery rooms in industry, communications and grid switching stations.
Power plants, nuclear laboratories and AEC operating facilities and battery-powered vehicles.
Undersea equipment such as commercial or private submarines, battery-powered photographic equipment, and remote control devices.
All other types of lead acid batteries applications for Golf Carts, RV’s and Boat batteries.
Are HYDROCAPS approved by any governmental agencies?
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) accepts HYDROCAPS as an alternate to controlled ventilation.
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordinance has utilized them in underwater missiles.
The U.S. Naval Weapons Center incorporates HYDROCAPS in undersea craft.
The Atomic Energy Commission specifies the catalyst cap for stand-by batteries.
I could't find specs as far as size, they look kind of tall so not sure if they will fit under the cover of the battery box. I'm going to give them a call to get some more info price for one.
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10-20-2020, 08:26 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,379
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanandDaphne
I'm looking into these, Hydrocap | Hydro caps they recombine the hydrogen and oxygen back into water and put it back into the battery.
They don't eliminate watering but it says they extend the watering cycle 4 to 10 times.
From the FAQs
Where are HYDROCAPS used?
Primarily in industrial applications. Battery rooms in industry, communications and grid switching stations.
Power plants, nuclear laboratories and AEC operating facilities and battery-powered vehicles.
Undersea equipment such as commercial or private submarines, battery-powered photographic equipment, and remote control devices.
All other types of lead acid batteries applications for Golf Carts, RV’s and Boat batteries.
Are HYDROCAPS approved by any governmental agencies?
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) accepts HYDROCAPS as an alternate to controlled ventilation.
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordinance has utilized them in underwater missiles.
The U.S. Naval Weapons Center incorporates HYDROCAPS in undersea craft.
The Atomic Energy Commission specifies the catalyst cap for stand-by batteries.
I could't find specs as far as size, they look kind of tall so not sure if they will fit under the cover of the battery box. I'm going to give them a call to get some more info price for one.
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I tried the Hydrocaps, and while it is likely they extended the time between needing to add water, the problem I had is they were very difficult to remove to check water levels. I gave up on them and went to the Flow Rite system. An even better solution was my switch to lithium. Solved the watering problem as well as the blaring of the propane detector...
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10-20-2020, 08:37 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ridgway, Colorado
Trailer: 2018,5.0 TA
Posts: 337
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Were they hard to turn? It looks like they would be easy to get a grip on.
I guess they fit in the battery box, were you able to close the lid completely?
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