Any advice or tips for installing the Slee primary battery tray?

[PhillipPinot]

Im purchasing the Slee primary battery tray for the Interstate 31P-AGM7 Battery. I’m a woodworker but I have zero car experience. I looked through the instructions and it looks simple enough. Are there any tips/tricks from anyone who installed this share? Like using a particular kind of drill bit or making sure to remove something carefully to avoid being broken, or making sure to always install/remove the negative terminal first (example. I have no clue). Also, do I have to upgrade the alternator?

Thanks!

 

[Itsky]

Same

 

[Markuson]

Nothing special.
Same alternator.
It’s about as simple as it gets.
I didn’t drill at all. Once you attach basic screws and tighten down the top bracket? That battery isn’t going to budge.

The stock “tray” on my 08 was literally a paper-thin, plastic tray...thinner than a cafeteria to-go food plate. No bottom attachment. -Just sitting in there, relying on the wimpy top bracket pressure.

Slee provides a means of securing from below if you want to add more, but I skipped it.

 

[KLF]

I've done it twice now. The Slee instructions don't mention it, but it's MUCH easier if you remove the left front wheel. You need to remove quite a few fender liner screws to get it pushed back and out of the way. Wear a headlight so you can see what you're doing under there.

Don't bother drilling the hole. There are 3 other 3/8" bolts holding the bottom tray down, plus the top bracket, it is not going anywhere. I actually replaced all the bolts with stainless steel. You will need a second person to hold the wrench on the bottom (or turn the cap screw from above), you can't reach both ends.

 

[PhillipPinot]

Awesome, thanks!

Also, I just called interstate and they’re saying there’s no 31P-AGM7, only 31-AGM7. What is the difference?

1) 31P-AGM7
2) 31-AGM7

 

[elkeye]

I've done it twice now. The Slee instructions don't mention it, but it's MUCH easier if you remove the left front wheel. You need to remove quite a few fender liner screws to get it pushed back and out of the way. Wear a headlight so you can see what you're doing under there.

Don't bother drilling the hole. There are 3 other 3/8" bolts holding the bottom tray down, plus the top bracket, it is not going anywhere. I actually replaced all the bolts with stainless steel. You will need a second person to hold the wrench on the bottom (or turn the cap screw from above), you can't reach both ends.

I do not understand why rivet nuts are not used.

Buy or borrow a rivet nut setter. For example,

Astro Pneumatics 1442 Hand Nut/Thread Setting Riveter

 

[KLF]

I think rivet nuts are not used for 2 reasons:

- Very few people have access to the install tool, and it's tough to justify the expense.

- The environment is prone to a lot of moisture, I would only want stainless fasteners there.

Of course, there's nothing that says you couldn't use them if you want.

 

[elkeye]

I think rivet nuts are not used for 2 reasons:

- Very few people have access to the install tool, and it's tough to justify the expense.

- The environment is prone to a lot of moisture, I would only want stainless fasteners there.

Of course, there's nothing that says you couldn't use them if you want.

rivet nuts are available in stainless steel, for example

Rivet Nut Insert | Suncor Stainless

 

[KLF]

Awesome, thanks!

Also, I just called interstate and they’re saying there’s no 31P-AGM7, only 31-AGM7. What is the difference?

1) 31P-AGM7
2) 31-AGM7

The 31 doesn't have posts, just threaded connections. So the 31P is just a 31 with post adapters installed. I went though the same thing when I bought my Odyssey.

 

[TN03Cruiser]

The 31 doesn't have posts, just threaded connections. So the 31P is just a 31 with post adapters installed. I went though the same thing when I bought my Odyssey.

View attachment 1848493

Did you have to do any modifications to the odyssey battery to fit it in the slee tray?

 

[belmontjoe]

No mods needed when I fitted ODY31-PC2150T

 

[KLF]

Did you have to do any modifications to the odyssey battery to fit it in the slee tray?

Nope. Dropped right in (almost literally, that thing is heavy).

 

[TN03Cruiser]

Did you have to do any modifications to the odyssey battery to fit it in the slee tray?

Thanks I just ordered the battery.

 

[Fisher23]

Im purchasing the Slee primary battery tray for the Interstate 31P-AGM7 Battery. I’m a woodworker but I have zero car experience. I looked through the instructions and it looks simple enough. Are there any tips/tricks from anyone who installed this share? Like using a particular kind of drill bit or making sure to remove something carefully to avoid being broken, or making sure to always install/remove the negative terminal first (example. I have no clue). Also, do I have to upgrade the alternator?

Thanks!

What battery you select depends on how you plan to charge it.
Example do not mix a deep cell battery with a normal one if not being charged separately.
If you plan to parallel them with a celluloid then that 31 will be fine.
Other group sizes do fit and I went with a group 35. (personal preference from reading 31 vs 35 batteries)

There is info in the "power" forum on dual batteries. Example if this is for a fridge Lithium is better vs winching AGM or wet cell is better. They also have some good video links over there. Plus cost .. I picked up a Lithium 138 Amp Hour for $350 for the fridge (not winching). So I have a 3 battery setup.

 

[hedd]

The 31 doesn't have posts, just threaded connections. So the 31P is just a 31 with post adapters installed. I went though the same thing when I bought my Odyssey.

View attachment 1848493

I have the same setup, nice choice!