Battery access

[Fishpants]

Hi all,
I have a 2016 29S. I’m wanting to replace my house batteries, but the access is terrible- via the cockpit locker and with great yoga skills. I’m wondering if anyone has removed the cockpit fridge and cut out an access port in order to more easily access these batteries? Is this workable?
-David

 

[Mastercraft]

I doubt an access from the cockpit fridge will help. Depending on your age and size, and mechanical inclination, just go for it. I weigh 180, age 64, 5’8” and changed 5 batteries in 2017 R29. Identify all wires and don’t spark them. Mechanic wanted $2000 to change batteries. That was highly motivating to do it my self. I spent 4 hours to do it. The weight of the batteries was no problem yet I thought it would be. It is crawling in the slot. You can drag the batteries out of slot and then lift batteries up.

 

[gswearin]

You might check out this thread and call Kenny.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17508&start=0&hilit=batteries+cockpit+fridge

 

[RichBirk]

David

This is what I did. The fridge is easy to take out and to my surprise, just as easy to reinstall. FYI the floor under the fridge is a honeycomb fiberglass about 1 1/2" thick. I made a wood frame covered with plastic to slide underneath to catch debris and dust then cut a hole with a short blade in a sawsall. Be sure all cables are out of the way. When you reach in to your new access for the first time, remember, fiberglass slivers in the arm can be miserable.

I did this to inspect and load test only as I have 2 start batteries. For battery replacement, I would probably just slide the whole battery tray back.