I decided to upgrade my 12v Group 31 Deep Cycle battery to a pair of >> [a href="http://usbattery.com/products/6-volt-batteries/us-2200-xc2-lf/"]US Battery's US2200XC2 232AH 6v GC2-size batteries[/a] <<. Found them on sale at the auto parts store next to my office. Even with 20% off, such batteries are very expensive here in Canada. With the core charge & sales tax my total came to $332.77 Can. (That's $253.33 USD at today's exchange rate). They are also quite heavy -- 62 lbs each.
When I ordered my small but mighty 2013 CL11FDB in 2012 I had anticipated I would eventually install a pair of batteries so as an option the factory installed to the trailer tongue area a tray for two batteries & they provided it with two plastic battery boxes. Turns out the boxes were for group 27 size batteries -- the boxes ended up in the garage never used. (They are still there). My first battery was a Group 31 size so I had bought a box for that size. After putting a rectangular polycarbonate bottom in the angle tray that Livinlite had installed, the tray could support one group 31 battery box with some left over space to collect dirt and leaves. That tray isn't big enough for the two GC2-size golf cart batteries so I went on the hunt for a solution.
On amazon I found a durable commercial-grade box designed to hold two GC2 golf cart batteries. Made by NOCO, I liked that it was self supporting -- meaning I would not need a structural tray thingie to put under it. The box was also smaller than buying two individual boxes. I ordered the box from amazon. >> [a href="http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-HM484-Commercial-Automotive-Batteries/dp/B002WD1MY6/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1463997861&sr=8-24&keywords=noco"]NOCO HM426 Dual 6-Volt Commercial Grade Battery Box[/a] << When it arrived I was very impressed by the quality construction. The quality is far superior to the typical atwood boxes commonly used to hold individual batteries. For instance the cover has star-handled knobs to clamp down the cover & the associated hardware is brass for corrosion resistance. The base of the molded box is very stiff -- easily capable of supporting 124 lbs of batteries. Made in the USA, the box & cover are very well designed for their purpose. It has mounting points in the four corners. The batteries fit in with very little play so I don't believe I need any interior clamp down tray as are sometimes used with more spacious boxes.
To mount to my trailer I found I'd need to remove the aluminum ange tray Livinlite had screwed to the trailer frame. Easier said than done. My initial try was unsuccessful. The large stainless self-tapping screws Livinlite used wouldn't budge. I slathered them in WD40 and left them for a few days. Then with vice-grip pliers I was able to get them loosened up enough to be able to remove them -- saving them to use in mounting the new box. With the tray out of the way I could play with the positioning of the new box. It quickly became apparent I'd also need to reposition my single propane tank holder. Vice-grip to the rescue there too. In positioning the box I found I could only get three corners to land on the frame. Given the construction of the box I had no concerns with only three-point mounting. Using the big self-tapping screws with a corded drywall screwgun the box was secured to the frame quickly. The repositioned propane tank was secured to the frame in alignment with the box for a nice neat installation. The position of the box allows me access to reach the charge test button associated with my previously installed >> [a href="https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Breakaway-Kit/Tekonsha/50-85-313.html"]"Tekonsha Push- to-Test Breakaway Kit with Integrated Charger".[/a] << that is mounted to the frame. I'm happy with the overall installation. >> [a href="http://livinlite-owners.com/thread/1077/added-dc-inverter-battery-monitor"]As noted in this earlier thread[/a] << I have a 100A fuse, a shunt for my battery monitor, and a battery cutoff switch mounted just inside the trailer -- approx. 30" from the battery post. The pair of 6v golf cart batteries are installed in series providing the small but mighty trailer with 232AH.
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Very nice installation!