Battery Tie down?

tgrimmett · tgrimmett's Garage

I just noticed that my battery is not secured in anyway, except by what little security the pos/neg cables provide. '84 Carrera. And, I can't tell what the stock design was to hold the battery down. I suppose I could rig up a fabric strap arrangement, but if any of you have suggestions and especially pictures, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
-Tom

mpetry · mpetry's Garage

there are numerous battery installation threads, including one that suggests you buy a plastic cutting board, cut it up, and fabricate a mount. The plastic is a good thing in my opinion.

I have a gel cell battery and I fabricated a very solid mount out of 1" aluminum angle. Took 2 hours, very solid, and total cost about $10.

Don't mess around with tie down straps, bungee cords, or duct tape. Buy or make something that you don't have to worry about when you throw it into a turn. If that 12v lead touches the body, you could have a fire that burns up the wiring in the front compartment, and the gas tank is only a few inches away.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

The marine style with a floor and top or the enclosed box are popular. The floor is fixed to the interior via epoxy, double sided tape or short self tapping machine screws, place the battery inside, put the top on securing it with butterflies or the supplied non conductive belt.

kidrock · 02-21-2011, 06:46 AM

Maybe you haven't seen it? On my '88, it's just a very simple flat clamp that is located at the front / bottom of the battery, and is bolted down at the same location with an allen head bolt. I didn't even know it existed until I actually needed to replace my battery. I had to remove some type of A/C fan in order to get at it.

70SC · 70SC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidrock

Maybe you haven't seen it? On my '88, it's just a very simple flat clamp that is located at the front / bottom of the battery, and is bolted down at the same location with an allen head bolt. I didn't even know it existed until I actually needed to replace my battery. I had to remove some type of A/C fan in order to get at it.

NOT THE MOST SECURE

For anything more than frwy driveing i'd at least do a nice j-hook & cross bar system

javadog · 02-21-2011, 07:59 AM

Here's the part you need, along with an M8x20 bolt:

Pelican Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW

JR

Wil Ferch · 02-21-2011, 08:13 AM

These are all great answers...but ... the original poster is asking about his stock battery.

The stock battery has a small ledge/lip on the backside vertical case wall......that fits under a "C" shape clamp on the floor. For the front, depending upon how big of a battery you have, there are 3 different holes in the floor ( to accommodate 3 different battery lengths),....where a shaped steel plate gets screwed-down.

You are expected to use a long "L" shaped hex wrench in the tool-kit, with a rubber booty to hold it all together....so you don't have to take stuff apart like the front A/C blower, for access....

See here from an owner's manual-->

Wil Ferch · 02-21-2011, 08:49 AM

Some more pics.....one shows the empty bay with the 3 holes at various "lengths" on the floor, with loose clamp also shown on the floor.... and another shows the stock front clamp used on the Optima mounting board

nesslar · 09:27 AM

Yep. That's the stuff, I have that clamp and the bolt, per javadog, as well as the "allen wrench" with the little boot, per Wil. And Wil, my rear "lip" on the tray comes up, then forward, your picture just looks like a "straight up" little "wall" if you will. Mine is (side view) like this: [ Maybe it just doesn't show right in your photo...
Only problem is, when I push my current battery back so the rear flange on the base/bottom of the battery is against and under the back "lip" of the tray, I'll need to drill a new hole for the clamp bolt in the front, since my battery is (obviously) not as long as the original one. No existing hole will fit my situation....
EDIT: So I believe. Once I fully shove the battery back, I will know.
Once I drill that hole in front, if need be, and grab the bolt with the boot and lower it into the the clamp and tray holes to get it started, then it needs to be fully tightened with an extension and socket. The boot should hold the bolt to get it started, but the bolt from Pelican is NOT a hex head type, therefore I'll have to get one, or use a normal extension and socket to finish. No problem.
The front clamp will hold down tight on the base of the battery where there is an extension about 3/8" out from the battery at its base, and it's about 3" wide. A flange.
As was said, it is great for normal use, but more "containment" is possibly suggested for "racing" and such, a strap at least. The stock containment looks pretty tight though, asssuming the tray is solid.
I believe I'll be doing this today. Put it off long enough.
I currently have a softball sitting in front of the battery to keep it from sliding forward when braking!!

nesslar · 09:51 AM

Well I was wrong again! No surprise there....

Thanks, Wil, I was able to use the second hole in from the front after all (the clamp has an oblong hole in it allowing for adjustment), and the job is complete! No more softball; was able to get in there with a 13mm socket on the end of a short "srewdriver" type "ratchet" and tighten her down. Battery is snug as He**. What an intense project......

Think I'll change the clutch, rebuild my motor, and do a respray now; should be done by noon......
Anyway, tgimmett, this should be all you need, the parts and 5 minutes.....

Wil Ferch · 02-21-2011, 11:16 AM

Nice to see that you posted another answer. The pics I showed were found from other Pelicanheads' threads, so I have no control over whether the rear steel clamp was "C" in profile or not....but I get the drift. Yeah, the rear mount has a metal ledge that goes up and forward to catch the battery "ledge". Correct.

More importantly, I am glad you didn't have to drill a new hole, 3 should be plenty and if mods are necessary, better perhaps to fashion a new steel hold-down plate for the front that is either a smidge longer or shorter to fit your battery better.

Glad it all worked out.....

nesslar · 02-21-2011, 01:23 PM

Yep, all is good. Took a spirited drive, and the battery is still there! Went to Safeway to get some......................................... beer!