FYI: Interim Fix for Failed Battery Tray Latch [2020 LEI]

[Brian and Maria]

On our most recent outing one of our battery tray latches failed. The pin on the left/fore side of the battery tray was totally missing as was the rivet/pin on which the rear of the latch pawl pivots. Fortunately I found the latch pawl itself loose in the battery compartment. Our temporary fix to get us home included tie wraps and, of course, duct tape to secure the latch pawl in place. The right (aft) side battery tray latch was not affected.

Until such time we can arrange a permanent repair, I'm confident that our semi-permanent solution pictured below will serve to keep the tray secure. It consists of a stainless steel anchor shackle holding the latch pawl in place so that it cannot be raised whatsoever, thereby preventing the battery tray from sliding out. I found that the 3/16" shackle fits perfectly, with the anchor shackle pin fitting snugly in the holes.

For reference the particular shackle I used is made by National Hardware, #N100-347 and available at Lowe's. Hopefully this information is helpful to those who may experience the same failure. Be safe everyone.  - Brian

[topgun2]

Back in the day when these trays only came with one latch, there was discussion about what was to be done in the event that single latch failed.  This led to simply drilling a hole in about the same place as your shackle is pictured and placing a stainless bolt through that hole.  It works!

Bill

[Patriot]

Here is a pic of our battery tray in our 2020 LEll. No issues to date. It appears quite robust and solid.

 

 

[Brian and Maria]

On 5/27/2021 at 3:34 PM, Brian and Maria said:

I found that the 3/16" shackle fits perfectly, with the anchor shackle pin fitting snugly in the holes.

For reference the particular shackle I used is made by National Hardware, #N100-347 and available at Lowe's.

Corrections: The shackle size that I used as pictured in my original post is 1/4" made by National Hardware #N100-278. I apologize for any confusion. - Brian

[Geronimo John]

I searched the University and Forum and did not find an answer.  So am asking here as at least this topic in sort of on topic to this thread.... sort of.   🙂

What is size the inside dimensions of our OE2 battery tray, and what is the vertical clearance from tray to ceiling of the storage bay?

I am laying out possible solar batteries and associated equipment and want to make sure they will fit.  

I thank you,

Geronimo John

MODERATORS:  If there is a better place to post this, I would appreciate your moving this post as appropriate.  Thanks.

 

 

[Geronimo John]

On 6/1/2021 at 7:53 AM, Patriot said:

Here is a pic of our battery tray in our 2020 LEll. No issues to date. It appears quite robust and solid.

 

 

 

@ Patriot:  If you don't mind, some questions from a soon to be Lithium owner:

What batteries do you have?

What are their dimensions and overhead clearance?  Thank you

Geronimo John

[ScubaRx]

1 hour ago, Geronimo John said:

I searched the University and Forum and did not find an answer.  So am asking here as at least this topic in sort of on topic to this thread.... sort of.   🙂

What is size the inside dimensions of our OE2 battery tray, and what is the vertical clearance from tray to ceiling of the storage bay?

I am laying out possible solar batteries and associated equipment and want to make sure they will fit.  

I thank you,

Geronimo John

MODERATORS:  If there is a better place to post this, I would appreciate your moving this post as appropriate.  Thanks.

 

 

You can easily fit three Battle Born's in the tray. There are a few owners out here that have done just that.

[Geronimo John]

@ ScubaRX:  Is that three 270 Ah Battleborns?  Or three smaller ones?

Thanks

JPR

[topgun2]

GJ - 

You might want to PM Patriot in that he jus might miss your request for info on his batteries.

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

11 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

@ ScubaRX:  Is that three 270 Ah Battleborns?  Or three smaller ones?

Thanks

JPR

I’m sure Steve has three 100aH batteries based on what he told me before I did my installation.  I installed two Battle Born 100aH batteries and there is room for one more.  I don’t think three of the larger batteries would fit.  Mike

[Overland]

The tray that Oliver uses is the MorRyde SP60-042 Utility Tray, inside dimensions 14" x 21" x 2.75".  There's 12.75" clear from the floor of the tray to the bottom of the aluminum catch for the lock.  The Battleborn 270Ah batteries are 21.3" x 11.6" x 10", so I don't see how you'd fit even one without removing the tray.  Three of their standard 100Ah batteries will fit easily, and four will fit tightly; i.e., it will take some work to wire them up.  

[Overland]

BTW, I see that Battleborn have their standard 100Ah battery on sale for $799 right now, which is the best price I've seen since I bought mine in '17.  

[Geronimo John]

10 hours ago, Overland said:

The tray that Oliver uses is the MorRyde SP60-042 Utility Tray, inside dimensions 14" x 21" x 2.75".  There's 12.75" clear from the floor of the tray to the bottom of the aluminum catch for the lock.  The Battleborn 270Ah batteries are 21.3" x 11.6" x 10", so I don't see how you'd fit even one without removing the tray.  Three of their standard 100Ah batteries will fit easily, and four will fit tightly; i.e., it will take some work to wire them up.  

Thank you SOOOOOO much for this data.  

Geronimo John

Lives in Hi, Ollie in OK.  Somewhat of a PITA for project planning.  But it is what it is.  

[rideandfly]

On 9/19/2021 at 7:57 PM, Geronimo John said:

What is size the inside dimensions of our OE2 battery tray, and what is the vertical clearance from tray to ceiling of the storage bay?

 

 

 

John, Replaced Ollie's battery tray with Oliver's latest tray about 6 months ago, took a few measurements of the old (2015) and new tray.

New tray on right:

Old 2015 tray:

I only use one Battle Born 100AH lithium battery with a 100W solar suitcase with plenty of room for other stuff in the tray:

[Geronimo John]

On 5/27/2021 at 9:47 AM, topgun2 said:

Back in the day when these trays only came with one latch, there was discussion about what was to be done in the event that single latch failed.  This led to simply drilling a hole in about the same place as your shackle is pictured and placing a stainless bolt through that hole.  It works!

Bill

@ Bill:  LoL "Back in the Day".  Those single latch trays were used on  my 2018 Ollie.  Hopefully that ancient time, just 3 years ago, does not qualify for us to be "Ole Timers"!!!!

On a previous post   you are correct about "bolting" the single latch and using a nut and bolt.  This topic was addressed a couple of years ago, way back in 2019 I think, and I commented that instead of using a nut, to use a RivNut so that we are not having to fish the nut after we drop it.  For those not acoustomed to RivNuts (AKA:  Rivet Nuts, Blind Flange Nuts, etc.), below is a sample.   

If you are not familiar as to how they are installed, send me a PM.  

Mahalo!

 

[SeaDawg]

6 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Hopefully that ancient time, just 3 years ago, does not qualify for us to be "Ole Timers"!!

Some of us (sensitive to "age") prefer the term "experienced." I can live with "seasoned," as well. 🤣🤣🤣

Btw, which size  rivnuts did you use in your installation? Did you use backer material,  or, just the fiberglass sidewall? I ask, because I'm really only familiar with these in furniture/wood. Thank you.

[mossemi]

If I remember the original post correctly and that’s a 50/50 proposition, the RivNut was installed in the sidewall of the tray mount and a bolt threaded into the RivNut acted as a tray stop to prevent it from sliding.

Mossey

Edited September 22, 2021 by mossemi
Clarification

[topgun2]

9 hours ago, mossemi said:

and that’s a 50/50 proposition,

Always the optimist - 😂 aren't we?