After talking about sunken battery trays I tried placing the battery in the passenger foot well and it was exactly the right width, so seeing as there was less fabrication I decided to fit it there.

It still took far too many hours to cut, bend and shape one big piece of ali chequer plate, rivet in a square spacer, glue in pads, drill a few holes etc.


So for those have done the same or similar, how have you protected the positive batery lead where it goes through a panel?

I am using a rubber grommet but am concerned that should for some reason the lead wear, it will short out the battery and seeing as there is no quick way to release the leads, it is going cause some serious damage.

cable grommet

(for charging battery and jump starting I can use the solenoid terminal).

The battery is secured in all dimensions - the footwell sides stop side-to-side movment, the panel stops moving it to and fro and and a threaded rod insdie a steel tube covered in rubber fuel hose clamps it down to stop any up and down movement so there should be no fretting of the battery lead but still it concerns me.

vcmj <-- the cat jumping ontp laptop typed that!

Also the battery is right up against the footwell (ali) so although the positive terminal is covered should I be concerned about is is that close to metal (I can't see how it would be possible for it to come in conctact with the panel but still ....)


front panel

So ideas and comments.

[Edited on 21/2/07 by 02GF74]

[Edited on 21/2/07 by 02GF74]

You can further protect the leads by splitting some hose and wrapping around but these will make them quite stiff to manipulate. Other option is to wrap with spiwrap.

To protect ali panel you can line with rubber sheet / carpet if its needed.

Looks good, did you pay less than £90 for teh battery? if so where from???

Regards,

Skint!

02GF74

I've always used cable glands as they are less likely to work loose than grommets and seal the bulkhead better.

Maplins do them (link) although they're cheaper in electical wholesalers.

Regards

Wyn

yeah. cable glands - good one, I am sure I have seen something that connects plstic conduit to boxess - will check out the local shoppe. having inadvertantly touched the allen key against the footwell whilst doing up the postive terminal, I'd feel much happier with a more robust fitting - more stuff to undo

and yes, I did pay less than 90, less than 60 too

http://tinyurl.com/2ozzaw


Note the nuts are sold separately...don't ask how I know!

Less than 60 quid?? where from??