Battery Box Separation

[Geronimo John]

Physic's 101.  

On 1/19/2026 at 4:54 PM, Geronimo John said:

Yep weight and G-forces will tend to find weak parts.  At least your Litho weight is way under what the OEM's were.  

We now have seen frame fractures and battery boxes being damaged by trailers likelly exceeding their design limits in one way or another.  Just a reminder that stiff Frames/Springs/Shocks and high tire pressures are things to avoid or at least mitigate where we can.

The above includes airing down tires and running with light gray and black tanks when going off road.  

GJ

 

 

[dewdev]

@topgun2

 

Did Mike say what product OTT uses to attach the bulb to the fiberglass?

Thanks

[Geronimo John]

JD:

I suspect that the root cause is the slotted two piece stiff-leg that was utilized for installation & adjustment purposes.  I am concerned by several aspects of the picture:

• All structural two-piece columns must utilize at least two GOOD bolt connections. Single Point of Failure Rule.
• There does not appear to be sufficient aluminum angle to angle overlap.  A two piece structural column must have significant overlap to allow for both compression and angular deflections.
• The slot appears to have been hacked into the angle, not milled.
• Only having a single bolt.  This allows the connection to act like an "elbow".  

Combined the above structural member could not effectively resist the battery and tray mass from moving out of the trailer.

If it were mine, I would take a magic marker and physically strike the top of the lower angle for use as a witness mark.  Then unload the batteries and determine at what height the support plate requires for proper elevation, flush alignment for the horizontal rivets, and to (hopefully) provide a slight slope to the outside for drainage.  I would also add 1/8" in height for grins.

Then of course add two bolts for permanent fitment.

GJ

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by Geronimo John

[topgun2]

10 minutes ago, dewdev said:

Did Mike say what product OTT uses to attach the bulb to the fiberglass?

No - sorry but I didn't ask.

[carnivore]

I just received a call back from Oliver parts so I just ordered from them what they use. Someone on here asked what type of adhesive Oliver uses. I’ll know for sure after I receive the replacement part but looking at what I removed, it appears the adhesive was  probably already on the gasket.