My $10 Odyssey Battery mounting solution

[einreb]

I killed my 400 lb Energizer car battery and decided to go a little lighter. I went with a 25 lb PC925 rather than the 15 lb 680 for a little more umph.

$10 in aluminum bar stock and some angle pieces bolted together. Its sized to bolt in with the normal battery mounting points.

Feel free to let me know if you see a problem with this. It feels pretty sturdy.

[efhughes3]

What's not to like? Nice work!

Is it the angle of the pic, or does the battery look square?

What do you need to do to hook it up-any cable mods?

[einreb]

Originally posted by efhughes3
What's not to like? Nice work!

Is it the angle of the pic, or does the battery look square?

What do you need to do to hook it up-any cable mods?

Yup, the damn thing is square. roughly 7", similar to the width of a stock battery.

I guess my title is a lie since i put the battery away from the neg ground strap and had to spend $5 for a longer ground strap (easy swap with a 13mm socket at the body). its shiny and pretty though.

[Elombard]

Can we see a pic installed. I cant visualize and need to do a similar thing.

[rnln]

Not only nice, very nice and clean.

[rnln]

Not only nice, very nice and clean.

[einreb]

Originally posted by Elombard
Can we see a pic installed. I cant visualize and need to do a similar thing.

I need to put a cover on the positive side cables and then I think I'm good to go.

[Jay Auskin]

Nice work Bernie. Aside from the battery, way to keep with your theme of all future mods being from Menards or McMaster Carr.

[david.avery]

Nice! 925CCA out of such a small battery @ 25 lbs...! Good choice, optima is 38lbs, which I have.

[VFR750]

Nice Job. It fit beautifully. I may do the same when I put in a 680. I want the extra weight savings ;-)

Please understand these two comments are given with respect for you and concern on my part:

1) The positive terminal is VERY close to the fuel tank. Make sure the terminal is covered with something sturdy. And put a rubber mat on the gas tank to protect against the accidental contact during removal or installtion.

I personaly would turn the battery 90 degrees (or 180) to get the positive terminal as far from the tank as possible. You never know, someone could hit the car and drive the battery into the tank. It might fail a Driver Ed tech inspection.

2) The top strap attaches to the frame with two bolts. I can't tell, but it looks like the head of the bolt is up against the battery case. I don't know if you put some spacers between the battery and the cross piece to prevent the bolt head from wearing onto the case. Although these are sealed batteries, I think they will still ooze if the case is punctured.

Respectfully,
VFR750

[einreb]

Originally posted by VFR750
1) The positive terminal is VERY close to the fuel tank. Make sure the terminal is covered with something sturdy. And put a rubber mat on the gas tank to protect against the accidental contact during removal or installtion.

I personaly would turn the battery 90 degrees (or 180) to get the positive terminal as far from the tank as possible. You never know, someone could hit the car and drive the battery into the tank. It might fail a Driver Ed tech inspection.

2) The top strap attaches to the frame with two bolts. I can't tell, but it looks like the head of the bolt is up against the battery case. I don't know if you put some spacers between the battery and the cross piece to prevent the bolt head from wearing onto the case. Although these are sealed batteries, I think they will still ooze if the case is punctured.

Thanks, thats the sort of feedback I'm looking for!

(1) I actually rotated it that way to to keep the positive side clear of the wall for the install/removal reason you posted. I'll take another look and see if the benefit of that is outweighed by getting it away from the tank. I made it a point when I posted the pic to point out that I'll be adding a rubber boot... but I think your concern w/regard to the tank is a valid one.

(2) Good point, some countersunk machine screws will take care of that. I think I'll be able to stay under my $10 budget.

-Bernie

[sushinav]

Now you have room for a 6 pack too! Here's what I did, the strap mounts to a threaded hole that was already there. I have no idea about it's original purpose.

[Jon Sailer]

Where can one get the covers for the cable ends? Like the idea for the obvious reasons.

[ianc]

Very nice work Bernie! What did you use to form the AL rails so nicely? I'll definitely go this route when my batt dies...

ianc

[steve911]

Originally posted by Jon Sailer
Where can one get the covers for the cable ends? Like the idea for the obvious reasons.

Jon--
Any PepBoys, Autozone, Kragen, etc. should have covers in a variety of sizes and styles. Definitely make sure that you have a cover for the positive size of the battery.

[TonyG]

Here's my battery with the included factoy bracket! :-)



This is an old pic... the wiring has been cleaned up since.

TonyG

[VFR750]

Originally posted by einreb

(2) Good point, some countersunk machine screws will take care of that. I think I'll be able to stay under my $10 budget.

-Bernie

I don't think we will mind if you blow the budget by 15 cents.

[Crowbob]

Tony,

Where's my money? The money I sent you on December 3rd. fro parts you never sent?

[ZOA NOM]

In addition to the proximity ti the fuel tank, the strap shown should be non-conductive if it's going to be so close to the terminals. There is a good chance you'll touch it with a wrench when you're installing/removing the battery.

[Wil Ferch]

TonyG needs to (likewise) cover his positive connection, too....

funny...how *many* people here post pics of batteries and *don't* do this simple and necessary step !

- Wil