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cruz-in

Southern Maryland

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Posted: 04/21/12 03:01pm

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Hi All,

I have been searching and searching for a sturdy reasonable battery box to add a few extra batteries. I saw mentioned using the Fat MAx Toolboxes. They are waterproof, so already sealed. So what do you all think:

23 Inch Fat Max Tool Box (can be had for $20 even at Walmart)

and

28 inch Fat Max Toolbox

Two Group 27 will just make it into the 23 inch box...

I suspect two group 31s would easily make it into the 28 inch one.

* This post was edited 04/21/12 03:13pm by cruz-in *

pauldub

North of Seattle

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Posted: 04/21/12 03:05pm

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You'll want to vent it unless you are using AGM batts.

RoyB

King George, VA

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Posted: 04/21/12 05:01pm

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great idea thanks...

They may not be as secure and the metal boxes but being out of sight if probably all you need anyway...

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cruz-in

Southern Maryland

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Posted: 04/21/12 03:11pm

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pauldub wrote:

You'll want to vent it unless you are using AGM batts.

sure...would even vent them with AGMs...

Turbo Diesel Dude

Green Mountain, NC

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Posted: 04/21/12 03:19pm

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X3. You can drill a suitable sized hole in the side and epoxy a PVC pipe of the proper size and sinply put a hose that has been rolled in a circle and tied with a zip tie. The circle is to prevent water from entering while venting the box to the atmosphere. JMHO

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boogie_4wheel

SLC, Utah

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Posted: 04/21/12 05:08pm

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I never thought about using a tool box as a battery box. Awesome idea! I have the 28" box in the backend of my truck holding tools now and so far it has been a good one, for the last few months anyway.

Post pictures when finished.

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Luke Porter

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Posted: 04/21/12 05:35pm

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The vent is supposed to be 2" out of both the top and bottom.

Yep, actually drove to all of these places---in the last eight years. Missed Rhode Island and New Jersey.

.

wa8yxm

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Posted: 04/21/12 06:16pm

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IS this box going to be indoors or outdoors.. If it's outdoors you can simply drill a vent hole in the bottom and mount a PVC Flange (With a hole drilled in the side) and an elbow. If inside a hose. (and a flange on the bottom hole too)

My concern is the weight of the battery v/s the strength of the box. How many pounds of lead can it carry... I suspect you may "overload" it.

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JimInMich

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Posted: 04/21/12 06:32pm

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I just bought a new battery box at Menards, it was under $7. This doesnt seem to be an economical way to go. I just dont get it, sorry.

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CincyGus

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Posted: 04/21/12 06:44pm

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JimInMich wrote:

I just bought a new battery box at Menards, it was under $7. This doesnt seem to be an economical way to go. I just dont get it, sorry.

Same here. I went to Pepboyz and bought a huge battery box for my group29 deepcycle batteryI bought last week for $15. Besides tha fact that I don't thinkit's economical, I'm not too sure a plastic tool box would hold up with the weight of a battery bouncing on it because the bottom may not be moulded with enough structure to support the battery properly. Might work, just seems more expensive than the standard battery box solution.

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