I've modified my F-877A-1 battery tray to accept two EarthX 900-VNT batteries, side by side, with a contactor for each. I checked the loads, and it's well over-strength and quite stiff.
![fuselage_2023-12-08_01.png fuselage_2023-12-08_01.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35191-0b6bbb1dbe22b7d8ea1a2b907363056a.jpg)
The extra pieces are cut from the spare angles in the fuselage kit, plus a floor of 0.032" 2024-T3. Was able to cut the F-877C battery hold down in half, with just enough length to span the EarthX batteries.
![fuselage_2023-12-09_02.png fuselage_2023-12-09_02.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35192-2513b546c4002c64eb91c8aede0605f5.jpg)
Structure is assembled with MS20426AD4 solid rivets. For securing the hold-down bolts, had to use MS21051L4 single lug plate nuts on underside of battery box and trim the corners of the adjacent angles for clearance.
![fuselage_2024-01-17_01.png fuselage_2024-01-17_01.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35193-dec431ab2c40fd055ec2b162f29bd822.jpg)
The assembly installs to the baggage ribs using the same fastener locations as for the standard battery tray. The centre two holes use AN509-10R9 screws, and the four forward and aft fasteners are replaced with MS27039-1-11 pan head screws. The spanwise angle flanges are a bit light on edge distance for the pan head screws, but all screw loads except tension will be carried by the original F-877A-1 battery tray.
![fuselage_2024-01-17_02.png fuselage_2024-01-17_02.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35194-aee45b63460444b262dce0f44f18a2a4.jpg)
![fuselage_2023-12-08_01.png fuselage_2023-12-08_01.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35191-0b6bbb1dbe22b7d8ea1a2b907363056a.jpg)
The extra pieces are cut from the spare angles in the fuselage kit, plus a floor of 0.032" 2024-T3. Was able to cut the F-877C battery hold down in half, with just enough length to span the EarthX batteries.
![fuselage_2023-12-09_02.png fuselage_2023-12-09_02.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35192-2513b546c4002c64eb91c8aede0605f5.jpg)
Structure is assembled with MS20426AD4 solid rivets. For securing the hold-down bolts, had to use MS21051L4 single lug plate nuts on underside of battery box and trim the corners of the adjacent angles for clearance.
![fuselage_2024-01-17_01.png fuselage_2024-01-17_01.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35193-dec431ab2c40fd055ec2b162f29bd822.jpg)
The assembly installs to the baggage ribs using the same fastener locations as for the standard battery tray. The centre two holes use AN509-10R9 screws, and the four forward and aft fasteners are replaced with MS27039-1-11 pan head screws. The spanwise angle flanges are a bit light on edge distance for the pan head screws, but all screw loads except tension will be carried by the original F-877A-1 battery tray.
![fuselage_2024-01-17_02.png fuselage_2024-01-17_02.png](https://vansairforce.net/data/attachments/35/35194-aee45b63460444b262dce0f44f18a2a4.jpg)