Moving Start Batteries
 

Moving Start Batteries

Started by Tikvah, February 25, 2017, 03:51:53 AM

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Tikvah

I have to replace my start batteries.  And, while considering this replacement, I started thinking... well, my thought process goes like this.

Instead of spending nearly $400 on 8Ds I could possibly gain some advantage of having the batteries closer to the engine starter, and maybe comfortably get away with a pair of Group 31s for $200.  The space where the old AC compressor sat is not being used anymore.  There is already a wire going to the old battery bay for any 24v shared loads.

But then I got to wondering, why did MCI place the batteries up front?  They must have had some ingenious engineering because they did it for years.  If they have good reason, I don't want to change it.

Any thoughts?  Experience?  advice?
1989 MCI-102 A3
DD 6V92 Turbo, Alison
Tons of stuff to learn!
Started in Cheboygan, Michigan (near the Mackinaw Bridge).  Now home is anywhere we park
http://dave-amy.com/

sledhead

they put it up front because of the heating / a/c stuff ( big dc power hogs )

dave
dave , karen
1990 mci 102c  6v92 ta ht740  kit,living room slide .... sold
2000 featherlite vogue vantare 550 hp 3406e  cat
1875 lbs torque  home base huntsville ontario canada

luvrbus

Was easier for the drivers to flip the disconnect switch,the Grey dog drivers hated going to the rear of the Eagle to turn off the batteries a couple  told me.Eagle buses has always had the batteries close to the engine when they used the 8D's or the 3 group 31's  
Life is short drink the good wine first

chessie4905

maybe to add more weight to lighter front end, and away from dirt and heat.
GMC h8h 649#028 (4905)
Pennsylvania-central

HB of CJ

Hopefully the starter cables are at least as big as they need to be, (maybe fatter) and as close/short as possible.  We custom made ours using new big mining cables.

Swagged on connectors using a very very large hand swagger.  No sodder.

Sometimes it is possible to relocate batteries to free up underside space AND to address the desire to have a near perfect side to side and front to back balance.

This includes both static and dynamic input burning fuel and using and relocating coach liquids.    All fun.  All doable.  The math is easy after a 10 year old girl explained it.

Tikvah

I'm not the least worried about weight balancing.  My wife sits on both sides.
When a bus sits on air bags, I don't think weight distribution plays a significant roll.
I'm more interested in getting the most use from the space.  In this case, where the AC compressor once sat is wasted space.
2nd reason is that I might get away with less battery by placing the batteries closer (and still using a large cable).
1989 MCI-102 A3
DD 6V92 Turbo, Alison
Tons of stuff to learn!
Started in Cheboygan, Michigan (near the Mackinaw Bridge).  Now home is anywhere we park
http://dave-amy.com/

HB of CJ

Actually weight balancing IS very important.  What is fun is determining who and what may move around inside the coach. Yikes!  :)

Bill B /bus

One of the first things I did was move the starting batteries to the old A/C compressor area. Moved the battery disconnect and the 24V/12V equalizer to the battery box forward side. Using two Group31's.

Bill
Bill & Lynn
MCI102A3, Series 50 w/HT740

Zephod

That just seems like a lot of extra work for no real gain.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Carpenter 3800 1994 on a Navistar 1994 chassis with a DT466 and alinson transmission.

Tom Y

I moved mine to the rear, glad I did.
Tom Yaegle

Iceni John

After I relocated my starting batteries I noticed that the starter now turns the engine quicker than before.   That's the difference from previously having 25 feet of 4/0 cable to having only a few feet now.   Well worth it.

John
1990 Crown 2R-40N-552 (the Super II):  6V92TAC / DDEC II / Jake,  HT740.     Hecho en Chino.
2kW of tiltable solar.
Behind the Orange Curtain, SoCal.

Oonrahnjay

Quote from: Tom Y on February 26, 2017, 05:40:39 AMI moved mine to the rear, glad I did.

Quote from: Iceni John on February 26, 2017, 07:41:55 AMAfter I relocated my starting batteries I noticed that the starter now turns the engine quicker than before.   That's the difference from previously having 25 feet of 4/0 cable to having only a few feet now.   Well worth it.
John   

    Yes, me too.
Bruce H; Wallace (near Wilmington) NC
1976 Daimler (British) Double-Decker Bus; 34' long

(New Email -- brucebearnc@ (theGoogle gmail place) .com)

kyle4501

Quote from: Tikvah on February 25, 2017, 03:17:51 PM

When a bus sits on air bags, I don't think weight distribution plays a significant roll.

True if you are below the tire load capacities.

A friend was having problems with the right inside rear tire blowing out - his axle weight was ~500# under max. I talked him into getting side to side weights - the right side was over 2000# heavier than the left. The leveling valves masked the problem by adding more air on the rt side.

His wife didn't like being told to leave some cabinets empty . . . . So, he went to a higher load capacity tire & carries less water to maintain safe tire loading.
Life is all about finding people who are your kind of crazy

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please (Mark Twain)

Education costs money.  But then so does ignorance. (Sir Claus Moser)

B_K

Quote from: kyle4501 on February 26, 2017, 05:00:39 PM
True if you are below the tire load capacities.

A friend was having problems with the right inside rear tire blowing out - his axle weight was ~500# under max. I talked him into getting side to side weights - the right side was over 2000# heavier than the left. The leveling valves masked the problem by adding more air on the rt side.

His wife didn't like being told to leave some cabinets empty . . . . So, he went to a higher load capacity tire & carries less water to maintain safe tire loading.

For a second I thought you were going to say "His wife didn't like being told she couldn't go!" LOL!
;D  BK  ;D

daddysgirl

OK, I'll be a voice of decent...maybe  8)

It is a PITA to have those 8D's, the cables, etc. where they are. However, in my personal opinion, based on my experiences, I think the batteries and the fuel tanks were placed away from the engine for fire prevention and possibly weight reasons.
I know many people who put batteries in the right rear side access without issue. I was going to move mine. Then I realized a small fire would possibly cause the batteries to explode.
So, I made new 4/0 and 2/0 cables. And I do agree that it is much easier to pull the kill switch from the drivers seat, but it's also faster should you ever need to kill it.
Andrea   Richmond, VA
1974 MC8 8V71/HT740 new in 2000 and again in 2019-