I'm replacing my batteries on my 4106 and I would like to install a slide mechanism for the batteries. The batteries are located in a baggage compartment on the left side and it's hard to crawl in there to service them. There are 4) L-16 batteries that weigh approx. 115 lbs each. I'm wondering if anyone has made such a mechanism or knows where I could purchase some heavy duty sliding rails (500+ lb load rating) so I can make my own set up. If you have any pictures, please post them. Thanks!
The first incarnation of my electrical included a cabinet with full length slides on two trays which each held 4 Trojan batteries. I used garage door track to make the slides.
They worked very well and held up the 4 T-105 batteries very well.
There are some photos and text on the project at http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Electrical/Battery_Rack/battery_rack.htm. (http://www.gumpydog.com/Bus/MC9_WIP/Electrical/Battery_Rack/battery_rack.htm.)
If you want to come get it, I'll sell you what's left of the cabinet. I had to remove it a couple years ago because I needed that space for my generator. I put the batteries in 2 plastic
boxes with lids. No more slides on them.
Rockler sells some real heavy duty slides. I bought some that were like 60" long for about $400 some years ago for a sliding tray in a travel trailer. (There was a outside accessible compartment under a bed almost the full width of the trailer.)
I just purchased two new Slidemaster slides for my batteries but have not installed them yet, I'll post a link at the bottom! I plan only on having 4 house batteries, two each slide that is rated for 300#. One pair will rest on the compartment floor and the second pair will sit on 3" angle iron above the first pair! Slide Master slides are very well made and simple to install. The slides I selected will only come out 70% of the way but this allow's plenty of room for replacement or maintenance!
I only paid 300 bucks for both slides, I wasn't as lucky as the slidemaster I found for the generator on ebay! But that still wasn't bad, considering what it would have cost to build two and the time to make them!
http://www.slide-master.com/ (http://www.slide-master.com/)
check out junk yards most moterhomes use them and a lot of school buss the ones i used came from a monaco very heavy duty
hello; Slidemaster in minnesota makes a terriffic slide . I have 12 Trojan T105 batteries and the slide works well. It was about $500. about 6 years ago.
If you have time, searching for a used motorhome slide or building your own is a cheaper way.
Regards and happy bussin mike
Thanks for the information guys! I really like the looks of the Slidemaster and the prices seem reasonable. Looks like that's the way I'm going to go. ;D ;