I am not sure how many FWC models share this issue. I have a new style Eagle with front-rear facing seats, a 20 gal water tank under the front bench and room for an AGM 31 battery. The factory installed battery, 75 amp hour, looks lost in the large box which is clearly designed to hold a size 31. But getting an AGM 31 into the box can very entertaining. Since I am not sure how many of you are likely to face this specific issue I will spare the details but am happy to discuss the issues with anyone about to undertake the task. FWC could make a few minor adjustments that might reduce the installers need for Ibuprofen.
AGM 31 in Eagle
Started by
Hittheroad
, Sep 08 2010 12:49 PM
2 replies to this topic
#2
esimmers
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Senior Member
Posted 09 September 2010 - 05:07 AM
I have the same camper. Tell us, please.
#3
Hittheroad
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Senior Member
Posted 09 September 2010 - 01:40 PM
It appears that 1% of readers may have this problem so here goes. Make sure battery has a good top grip. Mine came with a handle attached - very useful.
There are two problems. The vertical front wood panel needs to be pulled back about 1 inch. The plastic box holding the battery either needs to be removed or notched.
I made two saw cuts on my plastic box at the corners about 2 inches down so that I could bend the front top rim out about 1/2 inch.
Pulling back the front wood panel requires the following: remove 5 screws holding down the top panel and remove panel (phillips drive). Remove two screws (square drive) holding front panel to metal L bracket on right side. In my case there was a very small overlap of the the side panel that still held the front panel in place. I slipped the
equivalent of a knife blade into the joint so that by bending the font panel I could slide it past the tight point. One could also make a small saw cut to eliminate the overlap.
With all these modifications I was just able to squeeze the battery in with a lot of pulling on the panel while trying to wiggle the 75 lb. battery around to push past all the obstructions. If one plans on doing this repeatedly one might better notch the font panel down about 2 inches and reinstall the notch with hinges so that it folds out and down.
The plastic box needs a similar modification only I doubt there is a need to replace the notch - a 1/2 inch is likely enough. FWC might want to consider these as modifications to later models.
After reinstalling all panels I found a few edges slightly scuffed up but no worse than I was. Careful planning could make this all very easy but the geometry needed to pre calculate all the clearances is more than this old math teacher wanted to take on.
There are two problems. The vertical front wood panel needs to be pulled back about 1 inch. The plastic box holding the battery either needs to be removed or notched.
I made two saw cuts on my plastic box at the corners about 2 inches down so that I could bend the front top rim out about 1/2 inch.
Pulling back the front wood panel requires the following: remove 5 screws holding down the top panel and remove panel (phillips drive). Remove two screws (square drive) holding front panel to metal L bracket on right side. In my case there was a very small overlap of the the side panel that still held the front panel in place. I slipped the
equivalent of a knife blade into the joint so that by bending the font panel I could slide it past the tight point. One could also make a small saw cut to eliminate the overlap.
With all these modifications I was just able to squeeze the battery in with a lot of pulling on the panel while trying to wiggle the 75 lb. battery around to push past all the obstructions. If one plans on doing this repeatedly one might better notch the font panel down about 2 inches and reinstall the notch with hinges so that it folds out and down.
The plastic box needs a similar modification only I doubt there is a need to replace the notch - a 1/2 inch is likely enough. FWC might want to consider these as modifications to later models.
After reinstalling all panels I found a few edges slightly scuffed up but no worse than I was. Careful planning could make this all very easy but the geometry needed to pre calculate all the clearances is more than this old math teacher wanted to take on.
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