Now that a big batch of the Birchhaven projects are done (bodywork, cooling=
and steering) its time to turn attentions back to the Eleganza projects =
later this month. The beefy Trojan T-145 deep cycles served their time we=
ll with our solar array, but now after 8 years its definitely time to rep=
lace them: one pair on each side up front, and one pair in the rear near=
the generator. The 145=E2=80=99s are slightly taller and pricier than the=
standard T-105=E2=80=99s. So we=E2=80=99re considering same-sized T-125=
=E2=80=99s, or going Costco, or Interstate http://www.interstatebatteries.c=
om/m/category/golf/golf-car-content or even this =E2=80=9CUS" brand that we=
heard good things about http://www.batterytown.com/us-battery-us125xc-6v-d=
eep-cycle-golf-cart-battery.html With the onboard studio, our electric ne=
eds (without generator noise) are a bit more extreme than most, but this =
time around we gotta keep costs low-as-possible, so any first-hand reviews/=
prices on deep cycles (in SoCal) to fit our GMC front compartments (w/Ragus=
a battery trays) would of course be appreciated, thanks! And instead o=
f re-using the kinda fragile terminal extenders (which extend upwards from =
the battery post, allowing more connections to the post, while making every=
thing too cramped up there), this time i=E2=80=99m gonna have to find a few=
junction/mounts for all the heavy-duty cable connections (and i=E2=80=
=99ll need 3 of them, one for each positive post of each battery pair), and=
each one has to be able to handle a size range from 4 gauge to 4/0, includ=
ing: the solar connections, the 0 gauge for connecting parallel pairs of ba=
tteries up front, and then the monster 4/0 runs for going to the inverter. =
Might have to build my own junction boxes, =E2=80=98cause between searchin=
g Grainger and high-end car stereo install places, i=E2=80=99m not seeing a=
ny commercially available options that handle up to 4/0. Any ideas where e=
lse i can look? ideally they=E2=80=99d be shielded with see-through plasti=
c. And ideally they=E2=80=99d mount on top of the fiberglass recess for th=
e headlights, with a heavy-duty pig-tail running to the positive post. =
Installation will probably involve another week in Tijuana, =E2=80=98cau=
se we=E2=80=99ll take the opportunity to tackle all the over-due work up fr=
ont: weld those broken aluminum struts behind the radiator; rebuild the lea=
king steering box; and yes, some more bodywork with the front cap=E2=80=
=A6 reinforcing those cracked thin parts below the front access doors, re-m=
ounting the grille=E2=80=A6. all vestiges of the crash of 2003, when the ri=
g was totalled-out with a bent frame! Sometimes it takes a few attempts t=
o get a job done right, Right? cheers all,. Greg / Los Angeles / =
=E2=80=9976 custom cut-down Birch / =E2=80=9978 Eleganza II
and steering) its time to turn attentions back to the Eleganza projects =
later this month. The beefy Trojan T-145 deep cycles served their time we=
ll with our solar array, but now after 8 years its definitely time to rep=
lace them: one pair on each side up front, and one pair in the rear near=
the generator. The 145=E2=80=99s are slightly taller and pricier than the=
standard T-105=E2=80=99s. So we=E2=80=99re considering same-sized T-125=
=E2=80=99s, or going Costco, or Interstate http://www.interstatebatteries.c=
om/m/category/golf/golf-car-content or even this =E2=80=9CUS" brand that we=
heard good things about http://www.batterytown.com/us-battery-us125xc-6v-d=
eep-cycle-golf-cart-battery.html With the onboard studio, our electric ne=
eds (without generator noise) are a bit more extreme than most, but this =
time around we gotta keep costs low-as-possible, so any first-hand reviews/=
prices on deep cycles (in SoCal) to fit our GMC front compartments (w/Ragus=
a battery trays) would of course be appreciated, thanks! And instead o=
f re-using the kinda fragile terminal extenders (which extend upwards from =
the battery post, allowing more connections to the post, while making every=
thing too cramped up there), this time i=E2=80=99m gonna have to find a few=
junction/mounts for all the heavy-duty cable connections (and i=E2=80=
=99ll need 3 of them, one for each positive post of each battery pair), and=
each one has to be able to handle a size range from 4 gauge to 4/0, includ=
ing: the solar connections, the 0 gauge for connecting parallel pairs of ba=
tteries up front, and then the monster 4/0 runs for going to the inverter. =
Might have to build my own junction boxes, =E2=80=98cause between searchin=
g Grainger and high-end car stereo install places, i=E2=80=99m not seeing a=
ny commercially available options that handle up to 4/0. Any ideas where e=
lse i can look? ideally they=E2=80=99d be shielded with see-through plasti=
c. And ideally they=E2=80=99d mount on top of the fiberglass recess for th=
e headlights, with a heavy-duty pig-tail running to the positive post. =
Installation will probably involve another week in Tijuana, =E2=80=98cau=
se we=E2=80=99ll take the opportunity to tackle all the over-due work up fr=
ont: weld those broken aluminum struts behind the radiator; rebuild the lea=
king steering box; and yes, some more bodywork with the front cap=E2=80=
=A6 reinforcing those cracked thin parts below the front access doors, re-m=
ounting the grille=E2=80=A6. all vestiges of the crash of 2003, when the ri=
g was totalled-out with a bent frame! Sometimes it takes a few attempts t=
o get a job done right, Right? cheers all,. Greg / Los Angeles / =
=E2=80=9976 custom cut-down Birch / =E2=80=9978 Eleganza II
