Battery Relocation

[jonesal]

I did a bad thing and left the master on after doing some electrical diagnosis on my M923. I think it's a PITA having those batteries under the seat in my M923 when it comes to working on them. Here are shots of the box all rusty 'n such. Nice of Minot to install a new box and wood before they sold it. Plus, I wanted to put a VIC, surge protector, battery minder, etc. under the seat anyway so I'm relocating the batteries.



Here's the battery minder I'm putting under the seat doing a "bench" test. A steal for $50 off ePay - google "Genius Gen4". A true four bank minder.


So I went down to my FLAPS and picked up a Battery Relocation Accessory Kit. I'm ok with losing the small tool box - it doesn't hold all that much BII anyway. Here are shots of the tool box and relocation box side-by-side and inside the new battery box. The Kit has EVERYTHING. All new battery cables, boxes, holddowns, bussbars, and every fastener to do the job.


Here are shots of the old short braces and new ones, and old and new side braces. It's designed to hold the weight.


Here is the area stripped out and repainted ready for new parts. The directions state you need to take both tanks out but you really only need to take the bottom one out. OH, and those long bolts that are on the tanks straps are 6-1/2" - kind of tough to find. The directions say to reuse them but I had to cut them off - John Deere has them.


The directions are ok to follow. I would not have been able to figure out the correct fasteners without them.


I can post the instruction in hi-res pdf if there is a need.

As soon as the shop temperature is back above 15 degrees, I'll post pics of the install of the box and how it turns out. Definitely by this weekend.

Al
'84 M923

 

[M35A2-AZ]

That is on my to-do list also if I can find one here in the west.
Thanks for the pics!!

 

[quickfarms]

That is on my to-do list also if I can find one here in the west.
Thanks for the pics!!

Ditto

A pair group 24's will fit in the tool box

 

[MyothersanM1]

That is on my to-do list also if I can find one here in the west.
Thanks for the pics!!

I got mine out in Santa Clarita, CA. PM me for contact info if interested.

 

[jonesal]

OK, the project is complete. The following are the latest pics. These four pics show how the battery cables are mounted to the buss bars and how they lay in the box. All new cables are included in the kit.



These pictures show how the batteries mount in the battery boxes, and then in the main relocation box.



This next pics shows the modification I did. The welded S-hook is supposed to go into the bolt. I thought that was too weak so I used a fender washer to capture the cable instead. I think it will hold longer. The next two pics show the completed project.



I think the directions might have a typo in that the main braces and straps call for nylon-lock nuts (which I used) and the battery j-bolts call for prevailing torque nuts. I think that's backwards. The stock braces and straps had prevailing torque nuts. Putting those on the j-bolts would be a PITA to get on and off.

OH, and another thing. The directions call for a 12v circuit breaker (extra kit you need to pick up) in the box. I cannot find any of these. Anyone know where to find 12v military MV circuit breakers?

Al Jones
'84 M923

 

[jonesal]

And here are the last two pics.



Note that the top battery box does not slide all the way in. Numbnut (me) did not follow the directions to a T and I installed the slave receptacle wrong. I clocked it 90 degrees and all fits fine now.

So after that, I finished my flush of the transmission (change over to Dexron III), changed both trans filters (it looked beautiful inside the pan), and finished installing my new fitted cargo cover. The last mystery will get a separate post when I can take some pictures.

Al Jones
'84 M923

 

[wheelspinner]

Nice, just got my kit, gonna do this in the next few weeks

 

[BillabongKong]

Good Job !

Awesome install jonesal ! First Class Work!
This months project is installing a second air ride seat. But that is only after I accomplish the same swap.
Red River did half the work for me, I already have the large tool box. I hope you and the other contributers dont mind PM's about where to get the Kit.
How did the Dexron III work? I have read noting but good things about switching, did you flush it a few times?
Thanks again
Post Script

MyothersanM1 Thank You so much Sir!
For taking the time to reply to my request in moments! And within three mouse clicks I have excatly the same kit on its way to me!
It took less than a half hour from first reading this post im sure its a new record! Thanks all !

 

[jonesal]

I drained the trans and replaced with Dexron III, ran the truck for awhile, then drained again, replaced the filters (kinda messy) and replaced the fluid again. The goal obviously to dilute as much of the EO as as possible. I need to test drive it and will let you know if I can "feel" a difference in shifting. After the first drain and replace, I could tell a difference. I also need to adjust the linkage as it shifts too soon across all gears. I wanted to change the fluid before I did that.

Al Jones

 

[wsucougarx]

Great write up Al. This project is still on my project list. Too bad they don't have them locally.

 

[cranetruck]

Nice installation!

 

[Hoefler]

I did this to my truck last year with exception of moving the batteries.

 

[jonesal]

Yes, shipping the one I bought did make my wallet scream but it was something that floated to the top of my must-do list. My back can't take bending over those batteries under the seat.

I drove the M923 to the corner gas station yesterday and I think the Dexron III makes it shift easier. Up shift was smoother and the even downshifting seemed *a little* easier. My M923 doesn't have the teeth dislocating downshift like some of you have described so shifting down to first is firm but not bad at all. If my gauge is correct, then the transmission also runs about 25 degrees cooler and is now at 125 degrees, but it was only 60 yesterday so I may revise that once it gets warm again... next year. I'm going to put my favorite additive in too and I'll bet it drops another few degrees. Of course all of this may be the placebo effect...?

To get back on track, when I got back from my other wallet screaming excersion (the gas station - dang, diesel is sure expensive), I opened the new battery box and warm air came out. I was a bit surprised at first, and then remembered there is a large access opening in the back that allowed warm air to trickle in. I'll have to monitor that when the temps are in the upper 90s. I checked all the j-bolts and batt terminals and all looked good. All I have left to do is make up my own kit for the 12V side of the heater motor and mission accomplished. I may make a rubber curtain to go over the back of the battery box (18" wide by 12" high) if any road rash makes is inside.

It's snowing outside. Ewwwwww.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Al Jones
'84 M923
'70 M35A2
'69 M105A2
'66 M416
'55 M38A1
'66 CE106AC

 

[BillabongKong]

Thanks again Al!
You answered my next question before I could ask it!
I was just on the Summitracing websight looking at through the firewall grommets. I was going to adapt the existing box which has no holes in it. What diameter grommet should I get to pass the wires through? I was thinking 3/4 inch would let the connectors pass. Or I might get even bigger diameter grommet and slip some fuel hose over the Batt. wire for added chafe guard
Do you think the heat was coming from the exhaust pipe?
Thanks again to all here for some really sound advice, and a great installation thread.
Frank

 

[jonesal]

The heat was coming from underneath the truck, combination of exhaust (minor given the pipe is at the top of the box) and motor.

Not sure what the question is regarding the grommets. The relocation box only requires one huge one for the slave receptacle.

Al Jones
'84 M923

 

[BillabongKong]

Well now I don't feel so bad for scooping up my Battery Relocation Kit on eBay.
Aparrently the vendor has a quantity of them, as it has been relisted soon after my purchase.
Price isn't so bad considering the large box and all the copper swaged with connectors.
But the weight effects the shipping, Imagine if it included the Hawkers... Ouch!

 

[Continental]

First class work as usual.

 

[jonesal]

The shop has been above freezing so I've been able to get back on this project. I build a rack and have hard mounted the 4 bank battery minder (see pics). Now I want to mount the intercom system. A question for you folks that are running VIC-1s in your 5 tons. I only plan to use the VIC with headsets on long trips (I pulled my setup from my M35A2 I'm selling). I'm also thinking of wiring in a CB at some point but that's 536 on the priority list.

Here's my dilemma. I want to mount the AM-1780 under the seat because my M923 has a soft top. I'm not happy with the mounting options of the 1780 on hard surfaces. So my plan is to install a solenoid between the batteries and power cable (CX-4720) that feeds the MX-7777. My MX-7777 feeds the AM-1780 and a 30 amp 13VDC power converter (see pics). Then I'll mount a remote switch on the dash that kicks the solenoid. Does anyone see any problems? I don't think the 1780 will see any power spikes from this setup as I will only turn on the solenoid after I start the truck. And I'll leave all the equipment switches on so I don't have to raise the seat up and down - which is the goal here. Let me know if you see any issues down the road.



Thanks,
Al Jones

 

[jonesal]

Based on no responses, did I ask a stupid question? I didn't think everyone here what that polite... Should I have posted this in the radio forum? I thought it was connected enough to my battery relocation, to keep it here...?

 

[juanprado]

I think you would get better feedback on the radio forum. That is where I have gotten better results.

Looking Good!