just did some repairs on a new winnebego motorhome for a fellow member of the C.M.C.A., he had only just arrived in south aust. from sydney, did the run up the coorong, he's doing the loop. had a solar system installed in sydney before he left, including batteries (5 of 12v deep cycle) great job with the solar panels and the digital readout of every little detail fantastic, but they didnt secure the batteries well enough, tore loose from the mounts and ripped the sheet metal away from the base of the bin, broke two of the new batteries, the vehicle batteries were also damaged so acid over everything, I dont even know why they mounted them where they did, I patched it up as well as I could, welded in a couple of braces (which should have been put there in the first place)  and salvaged two batteries for the vehicle, but he's on his way back to sydney now, not a happy chappy, this fellow is a bright and active man he just didnt inspect the workmanship, lesson for young players, check ALL work carried out if you are about to do the big one, and if you cant check it yourself take it to someone who can, even if it is a c.m.c.a. helper or someone in the know, I wont name the company (not that stupid) but they are well known

grizz. I.m a member of the c.m.c.a. and as such I am a "helper" any member travellers going past that are in trouble have my name and my number, some members keep their number quiet, others like me are just plain gragarious and love the company and love to help, lot of people out there travelling, a lot have problems as well, lot of people out there helping you just dont hear about them, busted spring hanger with no help anywhere to be seen can be a catasrophe to some, but if they look up a "helpers" number it is a half hour job and a cup of coffee and piece of cake, and a new lifelong friend is made, my inbox is constantly full from freinds all over the country, some I have helped, others I have met on the track, I'm a happy man if my skills help others, the batterys were a nightmare I dont mind telling you, but the weight just tore the whole bottom of the box to pieces, they didnt reinforce where required, I bet they hear about it when the couple get back to sydney, danger from fire was there, I underplayed it, but I have seen some nightmare privately built setups as well. it's a major inconveinience to these people who must now backtrack. that's why I keep banging on about becoming a member of the c.m.c.a. the "helpers" are everywhere, the peace of mind that brings is in itself a major help

Dave...May I ask were they 12v 12amp Batteries all wired together....And could you tell me what solar power panels output is he getting to charge them...Thank you

James, the mess was such and the mood was such that it was a matter of figuring out what was wrong and repairing the problem, I just pulled everything that was in the storage bin out, tidied up what I could for the poor buggers, repaired and salvaged what I could, he had other gear stored in there as well such as sullage hoses and power cords and he had some washing in there, all was acid ruined, they looked about the size of 100 amp hour deep cycle gel cell, but I dont know what the output or anything else was, I just got them back on the road, all talk was concentrated on the repairs and general natter

Okay!!! Thanks.

got a call from the owner, took the unit back to the installer/supplier, fully apologetic, putting them up in five star luxury suite all costs paid for whilst repairs are under way, everything will be fixed/replaced, repairers will send me a voucher for a restaraunt meal for two, liked my reinforcing struts so much they will now become common place on all new instalations, problem was as simple as not enough reinforcing to take the weight and a couple of loose bolts, if the bolts had been checked, quite possibly would not have happened. all in all I guess a good outcome but could have been so easily averted, check those repairs/modifications

Geez!!! Fancy them doing all that......Guess it could have been disasterous

James I was surprised as well but it wasnt a cheap installation and the company involved is a big one and instantly recognisable, the couple were in no way responsible, and I guess if they wanted to take it further they would probably have a good argument, so all in all I think a good result all round however the couple have a lot of backtracking to do, but time is on their side