Over the past couple of weeks I pulled new solar wire with MC4 connectors, rewired the orig Shell Solar panel (110) with heavier wire and MC4 connectors, installed a Carmanah 160 panel (two more panels to go, but they will have to wait). Ordered up a 3000 Watt pure sine wave inverter, two automatic transfer switches (replacing the org shore/genny one as I read it was recalled due to fire concerns and adding a new one for the shore/genny vs inverter), a Blue Seas sub panel (3 breakers for outlets, kitchen outlet, and microwave). Went to install my second OEM dual battery box yesterday. It was freezing fog and just too damn cold. After removing the little compartment door where the second batt box will reside, I discovered it will take a lot more work (the hole is 3" wider than the hole needed in one section, so I will have to fill the wall to make it narrower (think I'll laminate up .5x1" oak strips for this, then glue on fiberglass skin from other areas where I'll be enlarging the hole (vertical) and fill those mating seems with Marine Tex -should not be noticeable when done, but going to take a bit of work -the batt door will cover most of the repair, but not quite all). Oh, installed a 28" smart TV (only $209 from Wal-Hell, so can't hardly beat that). Old pic below, but you can see where I intend to install the second batt box on the left. Other option is to stick it right in the middle. However, there's a stud right in the middle. Suppose I could build a header and transfer the force to the sides of the new batt box, but I'd have to build it between the exterior and interior sheathing. I think it would be a pain and unless I used a lot of wood or used steel or T6 (I have a lot of 1x1.5 T6), I would have concerns about doing it this way. If I moved the orig box forward an inch, I could put the new one right next to it, but even then, I'd be cutting into the vertical stud at the center. I think I have to go with the wide hole and dress it up. Uggh.
I'll probably stick with the compartment area. If I can't match things up perfectly, and even if I do, I may just add a sweep to it as I'll have to remove the current one. Something like this would work (flipped over):
