gulfcoast john
New member
Colby,
I’ve enjoyed your trip reports!
In 2019 we had major EOH issues including needing new brakes and actuator pump. Locals in the Keys rec’d South Seas Rigging. The owner was very dismissive of the concept that a 9Ah battery could properly run the system. He replaced it with a ‘lawn tractor’ FLA battery in a battery box bolted to the tongue, with enough room leftover for a spare wood block for the jack. That battery also now powers the 12v electric jack. They seem to be rated in CCA with no Ah claim, but it’s much bigger. Keep the 5Ah to exchange and avoid the core charge. They run $30-$50 at Wal-Mart.
I tend to expect any lead-acid battery to last three to at most five years, or three times the length of the FULL REPLACEMENT Warranty, whichever is SHORTER. I replaced it last year after it quit holding a charge (I also was not trickle charging it as often as I should have).
The pump was over $1,000 with install and is not waterproof. I started giving it some extra protection by covering it with an $8 upside-down Rubbermaid 3g commercial waste basket, secured with a battery tie down kit around the tongue. My thinking is it’s facing hurricane-force rain if I’m going 65 MPH and the rain is going 10 MPH. The bottom is not protected, but a welded on plate precludes enclosing the pump in a battery box.
We dropped the trailer off for a good going over prior to the Trent-Severn/Georgian Bay trip. I thought the tech might laugh about the trash can housing, but he said it was a good idea.
With your experience plus the confirmation that the proper non-breakaway operation of the EOH system DEPENDS ON the breakaway battery leads me to conclude bigger is much better. Especially for a safety related braking component.
Safe Travels!
John
I’ve enjoyed your trip reports!
In 2019 we had major EOH issues including needing new brakes and actuator pump. Locals in the Keys rec’d South Seas Rigging. The owner was very dismissive of the concept that a 9Ah battery could properly run the system. He replaced it with a ‘lawn tractor’ FLA battery in a battery box bolted to the tongue, with enough room leftover for a spare wood block for the jack. That battery also now powers the 12v electric jack. They seem to be rated in CCA with no Ah claim, but it’s much bigger. Keep the 5Ah to exchange and avoid the core charge. They run $30-$50 at Wal-Mart.
I tend to expect any lead-acid battery to last three to at most five years, or three times the length of the FULL REPLACEMENT Warranty, whichever is SHORTER. I replaced it last year after it quit holding a charge (I also was not trickle charging it as often as I should have).
The pump was over $1,000 with install and is not waterproof. I started giving it some extra protection by covering it with an $8 upside-down Rubbermaid 3g commercial waste basket, secured with a battery tie down kit around the tongue. My thinking is it’s facing hurricane-force rain if I’m going 65 MPH and the rain is going 10 MPH. The bottom is not protected, but a welded on plate precludes enclosing the pump in a battery box.
We dropped the trailer off for a good going over prior to the Trent-Severn/Georgian Bay trip. I thought the tech might laugh about the trash can housing, but he said it was a good idea.
With your experience plus the confirmation that the proper non-breakaway operation of the EOH system DEPENDS ON the breakaway battery leads me to conclude bigger is much better. Especially for a safety related braking component.
Safe Travels!
John