How to physically remove/replace a heavy battery from the far corner of an A'van Cruiseliner

riakmacz · Member

How to physically remove/replace a heavy battery from the far corner of an A'van Cruiseliner

Possum3 · Guru

Disconnect all battery leads, Place a length of 250mm X 25mm flat board at an angle between Battery and water heater to act as a sllde to slide the battery up on top of water heater, then it will be more manageable.

Whenarewethere · Guru

As said above.

Also if you can tie a rope to something at the other end, you could loop a rope through the battery handles to give you a 2:1 lifting purchase, or more if necessary.

Craig1 · Guru

manufacturers can surely be stupid a..h.....

Possum3 · Guru

Ann, It would be prudent to fit a door/hatch to side of van for future battery access similar to www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/thetford-service-door-4-black-1.html

PeterD · Guru

As I view it, the biggest problem is getting a grip on the battery. If you construct a couple of loops from belts, tie down strap or even rope then you could get a better grip on it. You should be able to rock the battery end to end enough to get the loops under the ends of the batteries. Also, you will get a better access to the battery if you remove the gas strut. Either get someone to hold the bed up or use a prop, you may be able to get the bed higher that way.

PeterD · Guru

Craig1 wrote:
manufacturers can surely be stupid a..h.....

I don't think that stupidity can be labelled on the part of the manufacturer. With these small vans it is very much a case of fitting things where you can. As not all of these vans were supplied with batteries, I could not imagine that the builder would have been inclined to build in a battery box with external access. Doing things like that pushes the price of these vans too high. Also, if you locate the battery where it easily accessed it then means that the owners will have to use that space for things they use frequently

A friend of mine was able to get the battery in and out of his unit OK, and he has been totally blind since he was 7 years old.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

My van battery was awkward, not as bad as that, but I took the whole van to a battery place, and paid them to change and replace battery, they got a strapping strong young bloke to lift it out for me and replace it

landy · Guru

As Ric has suggested most of the main battery suppliers will be only to happy to fit a new battery for you as part of getting the sale. I would not be expecting to pay any extra for them to install it for you.

rgren2 · Guru

landy wrote:
As Ric has suggested most of the main battery suppliers will be only to happy to fit a new battery for you as part of getting the sale. I would not be expecting to pay any extra for them to install it for you.

Dont go to Battery World then, free replacement only means under bonnet and easy access.

Are We Lost · Guru

I like Possum's first suggestion of a board to drag it up (shouldn't need to be 25mm thick. And that would be helped by the straps for better grip as suggested.

Then, using those, here's a way to make it easier. At the top end of that board, attach a pulley and make yourself a rudimentary block and tackle to drag it up the board. . With double purchase, that 30+kg will be manageable. I use such a device to help get my LPG bottles lifted from an awkward space in the corner of the front boot.

Possum3 · Guru

Are We Lost wrote:
I like Possum's first suggestion of a board to drag it up (shouldn't need to be 25mm thick. And that would be helped by the straps for better grip as suggested.

My reasoning for 25mm was that as it has to be pulled over and on to water heater it would better protect the said heater.

landy · Guru

rgren2 wrote:

landy wrote:
As Ric has suggested most of the main battery suppliers will be only to happy to fit a new battery for you as part of getting the sale. I would not be expecting to pay any extra for them to install it for you.
Dont go to Battery World then, free replacement only means under bonnet and easy access.

As you said argren2 don't go to Battery World they obviously don't want the business. biggrin

riakmacz · Member

Many thanks for replies thus far. We hope to tackle the job this weekend. Have collected a plank or two, a pulley and (my own idea), a Hayes chain wire strainer ...
Will describe in due course just what we do and how it pans out.
Cheers, riakmacz

rgren2 · Guru

If you have a back brace, wear it.

ShortNorth · Senior Member

Possum3 wrote:
Ann, It would be prudent to fit a door/hatch to side of van for future battery access similar to www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/thetford-service-door-4-black-1.html

Not practical - between the water heater and the battery are the town water/filler pipe (cream hose) and the battery box vent pipe (black hose) both through the side wall of the van just where a hatch would be placed. If you fit a hatch there is a LOT of other rearranging to do to make it all fit, as well as the cold/hot water piping in the way.

I'd say this is not the original battery, as the original is placed in enclosed battery box with a vent to outside air - the battery shown in the photo does not have a battery box, but the vent pipe is still there.

I replaced my battery two years ago - I got a local caravan repair place to supply and fit a new battery AND a new battery charger, as the old ones had 'life expired'. Cost the parts plus $95 labour all up.

-- Edited by ShortNorth on Saturday 30th of October 2021 11:25:42 PM

ShortNorth · Senior Member

Possum3 wrote:
Disconnect all battery leads, Place a length of 250mm X 25mm flat board at an angle between Battery and water heater to act as a sllde to slide the battery up on top of water heater, then it will be more manageable.

A disaster in the making - the water heater is secured to the side wall of the under bed area by webbing straps and mounted around 50mm ABOVE the floor - the weight of the battery would rip the water heater from its mountings and make quite a mess. I had my local repair guy refit the water heater after the webbing straps loosened bouncing over rough roads and broke the water elbow underneath the heater - now the water heater is secured like a 'brick outhouse'.

-- Edited by ShortNorth on Saturday 30th of October 2021 11:28:34 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Two smaller batteries ? Half the weight . Fit em somewhere else ? Under chassis ??

StewG · Senior Member

Depending on how strong the bed is, remove the mattress, pass a strap or two through the 'breather hole' probably second one from hinge. Close the bed, tighten the straps and anchor to bed, lift the bed and the battery rises. Put blocks under battery. Not having seen the full detail, it's hard to see if it would work satisfactorily, but it is an idea to use a lever that is 'built-in'. Failing that, get your strong midget.

landy · Guru

How is the base of the bed hinged can you remove it for better access? Many minds make light work biggrin

-- Edited by landy on Monday 1st of November 2021 09:34:13 PM

TravellerBob · Veteran Member

How about remoivng the mattress and then undoing the gas struts, that would allow the bed base to open up further allowing greater access to the battery.

You may just need to prop the bed base with a suitable length of timber etc. over near the side of the van out of the way

Possum3 · Guru

TravellerBob wrote:

How about remoivng the mattress and then undoing the gas struts, that would allow the bed base to open up further allowing greater access to the battery.

You may just need to prop the bed base with a suitable length of timber etc. over near the side of the van out of the way

Unfortunately in an A-Van that is extent of travel in bed/mattress due to shape of roof/wall. The whole bed unit would require removal from van for little gain in space.

PeterD · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Two smaller batteries ? Half the weight . Fit em somewhere else ? Under chassis ??

Have a look at the avatar in the message before. The camper in the avatar is the one under discussion. I don't think a battery would fit under that.

Further my earlier message, I am familiar with the replacement of the batteries in these units. As I said above, the big problem is getting a grip on the battery to lift it, that is why I suggested adding some temporary handles so you can get a grip on it. If you need a bit more space to get to the battery, then just remove one gas strut. I would be leaving the bed there so you can lean on it to retain your balance.

My blind friend replaced his battery, that demonstrates that a strong able body person can cope with the replacement. I would suggest that anyone who can not remove the battery as I suggested above will also have problems carrying it when they have it out. Get yourself an able-bodied person who knows what they are dong to do the replacement

-- Edited by PeterD on Tuesday 2nd of November 2021 11:36:36 AM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes suggestions I also said to fit rope or some form
Of net under battery before replacing this one . Even a battery box ? Different sized batteries can be fitted anywhere !! Yes it may require other clearance or lifting of van ? Its just a suggested option !! The old equal
& opposite reactions !

oldbloke · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Yes suggestions I also said to fit rope or some form
Of net under battery before replacing this one . Even a battery box ? Different sized batteries can be fitted anywhere !! Yes it may require other clearance or lifting of van ? Its just a suggested option !! The old equal
& opposite reactions !

Or just buy one with a handle fitted.

SoloMC · Senior Member

Hopefully you have sorted it by now but if not, just take it to an auto electrician and get them to do it for you They lug these things around all day Dont risk injury Its not as if you need to do it on a regular basis Pay the $

riakmacz · Member

Have now removed the old battery and installed the new!

How?

Well I had prepared the plank ramp, complete with pulleys, wire strainer, and assorted blocks, and was all psyched up for a prolonged endeavour

Then my powerful son-in-law arrived and with sheer brute muscle he did both the removal and replacement quite unaided!

He also did a series of electrical enhancements to my rig.

Thanks again for all your ideas.

riakmacz

StewG · Senior Member

APPLAUSE!

elliemike · Guru

riakmacz wrote:
Have now removed the old battery and installed the new!
How?
Well I had prepared the plank ramp, complete with pulleys, wire strainer, and assorted blocks, and was all psyched up for a prolonged endeavour

Then my powerful son-in-law arrived and with sheer brute muscle he did both the removal and replacement quite unaided!
He also did a series of electrical enhancements to my rig.

Thanks again for all your ideas.
riakmacz

I have known a couple of Avanners here in WA, who after getting the battery replaced by (1) Battery supplier, and (2)one by a Son in law and his mate.

Finished up with flooded vans next time they filled their water tanks.

In each case the "Air Vent Pipe" had be broken off inside the van. Not noticed till filling the tank, water was running out of the van while the hose was poked into the filler.

-- Edited by elliemike on Monday 8th of November 2021 03:15:09 PM