1977 23' Birchaven Batteries

T

Tom Katzenberger

Well-known member
Jun 26, 2019
795
287
63
Good day all,

I am going to install new batteries in the coach. The question I have is what is the best choice for the house battery and coach battery?

Should I go with a marine battery? I only have room for 2 batteries. I fabricated a new large stainless steel battery tray which is 19" x 20" so I
should be able to handle large batteries plus some storage. I am not very good in the area of electric and am all ears?

Thanks again all,
Tom K.
--
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D.
 
IF you only have room for one battery for the house, I guess a "marine/deep cycle" would be the best choice.

Better yet, although more complicated, convert to Lithium batteries. Jerry Work has a good tech article on GMCWS.org:

http://gmcws.org/blog/lithium-battery-presentation-gmcws-2019-fall-rally/
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Tom,

Amazon is listing a 200Ahr LiFePo4 for 800$.
This is all I know about it. It is attractive, but it will need a DC-DC charging system.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Matt and Carl,

I will go the direction of lithium for the coach and acid battery for the engine per you guys suggestion. I watched the presentation on the Lithium
and it doesn't seem too difficult.

Thank you guys for the input, again it is very much appreciated!

Take care,
Tom K.
--
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D.
 
Amazing! Prices still falling quickly. I popped last year at $1400. Now
half that. Another year and they'll be a no brainer for everyone.

bdub
http://bdub.net/SweetPeaSolar/

> Tom,
>
> Amazon is listing a 200Ahr LiFePo4 for 800$.
> This is all I know about it. It is attractive, but it will need a DC-DC
> charging system.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL,
> GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum
> Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
 
Tom,

I'm not sure I understand your 2 battery limitation. You meant 1 starting and 1 house battery, right?

My Birchaven has the 1 starting battery behind the driver's side headlight and the 2 house batteries behind the passenger side headlight. I thought
this was Birchaven standard. What's preventing you from having 2 house batteries up front?

Richard
--
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach with 18,477 verified miles;
‘76 Edgemonte
 
Because Chaumière is a 73 and I have the air pump under the driver, I have three batteries in the other corner. That is a pair of GC2 (T105) and a
Grp 36 starting battery. There is also the little (aka cheap) battery back by the APU. I made the larger battery tray out of fiberglass covered
plywood years ago.

Matt

--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
My 23' has the Ragusa 3-battery tray on the passenger side with 2 each
GC-2's for the house and 1 each Gp 27 for the chassis. Because of my
grille-to-radiator ducting and other components, the batteries must be
R&R'd thru the wheel well. Pretty easy on my service rack with a special
mod to my engine hoist:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5425-battery-lift.html

For those without a lift, I suggest an unload/load ramp. That's a 1x6
board long enough to reach from the back of the battery tray to the upper
A-arm. At the tray end of the board, a piece of angle iron screwed to the
end engages the lip at the back of the tray to secure the "ramp". Works
pretty well -- IF you can lift the battery onto the ramp by hand. Then
side the batteries up & down the ramp.

By the way, for anyone who wants to make their own battery tray, here's the
template developed by John Richardson:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4280-battery-tray-pattern.html

Ken H.

> Because Chaumière is a 73 and I have the air pump under the driver, I have
> three batteries in the other corner. That is a pair of GC2 (T105) and a
> Grp 36 starting battery. There is also the little (aka cheap) battery
> back by the APU. I made the larger battery tray out of fiberglass covered
> plywood years ago.
>
> Matt
>
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL,
> GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum
> Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
 
Quote:
> My Birchaven has the 1 starting battery behind the driver's side headlight and the 2 house batteries behind the passenger side headlight. I
> thought this was Birchaven standard.

My Birch came with 1 house up front with the starting battery and a 2nd paralleled in a vented box under the bed in the back.
--
Tim Taylor
Austin TX
Philadelphia PA
76 Birchaven (SB)
76 Triumph TR6
 
Very nice information, I keep thinking I will have this coach up quickly, but by the time I keep making improvements it has been set back quite a bit.
--
Tom & Oki Katzenberger,
Kingsville, Maryland,
1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D.
 
> Very nice information, I keep thinking I will have this coach up quickly, but by the time I keep making improvements it has been set back quite a
> bit.

Tom,

We all fight this battle. Decide what mods you really need and put the others on a punch list. Go enjoy the coach and it will motivate you to make
the important changes first. (Says the guy that has the front of his coach apart for a repair but is planning three upgrades while it is.)

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
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