Choreo

I am thinking of building a custom battery tray out of 1/8" aluminum to protect against battery acid getting to the PCM.

SJPD

yes

Choreo

Well... that's not what I wanted to hear!

Is there anything I could coat it with?

Warp Factor

I thought about heat-forming some sheet ABS plastic into a tray, but it's a little hard to figure out how to maintain a lip where the hold-downs are. In the meantime, I just ordered a "Battery Mat" to try. About 4 bucks.

"The Battery Mat is made of super absorbent polypropylene needle punch felt, with one side heat treated to give it additional strength. This fabric is slowly pressure-treated at high temperatures with a unique, all-natural, acid neutralizing formula, and then cured in ovens. Finally, the fabric is dipped in a latex sealant mixture, again in ovens, and screen printed."

http://www.dccarcare.com/battery.html

Supposedly a product used by the military, and recommended by "Corvette Fever".
Anyone have experience with these?

I'll probably put out a little extra for a sealed battery next time.

LoneStarFRC

Have you looked at anything in the marine category? Seems like I have seen plastic battery containers. Maybe something that could be adapted/modified?

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/mm5/g...9065-1_med.jpg

Cybermind

Your tray should not contain any metal. Sulfuric acid attacks metal. You need to make it out of plastic (same as the battery casing).

Carcass

Go to an RV supply store(or WallyWorld), get a plastic battery box like the kind used on travel trailers,and cut the bottom 1" off it and use that for your tray .
They're actually marine boxes ,like LoneStarFRC suggested,acid won't touch them.
Whether the hold downs will work with it,I can't say,but maybe you can figure something else out.

rebelheart

Like a hot knife through butter!

SJPD

why not just get a battery that won't leak ?

Warp Factor

Can you recommend one that will last better than the "red tops" etc., and won't leak out the vents when the car gets tossed around a little?

Choreo

I have a Red Top now and never had a leak, but I have seen rare posts where even the Red Tops leak. Just want to protect the harness and PCM underneath. I have one of the Mats now, but it would be hard to tell when it is saturated?

lucky131969

Frequent inspection and preventative maintenance thwart a lot of disasters......

Cybermind

I got a an Exide Orbital (AGM) battery and I am very pleased so far. It is supposed to be leak proof. It's sold in Canada under the Eliminator brand name. I highly recommend it.

BOTTOMS UP

Deka

striper

I was going to say the same thing. I've got a Red Top that's 10 years old and still works perfectly. Never had a leak either. If you're interested in the Exides they are available at NAPA stores. I've got one of those in my pickup with absolutely no problems.

zagger

Make it out of PolyPro, HDPE or Polyetheline. Trick is that the same chemical composition making them impervious to acid also make them resistant to any glue. Boxes can be fabricated by hot air welding the seams and provide 100% protection. Or as others mentioned get a gel type battery like the optima and be done. Custom box from a good fabricator would cost more than lets say Red Top Optima. That is what I use in my car and boats and I have a plastic fabrication shop.

dieseldave56

My motorcoach has eight lead/acid batteries. Two (2) for starting the diesel and six (6) 6 volt /trojan golf cart 'house' batteries. Try to keep that battery compartment corrosion free. My solution was to powder coat everyting, all the metal components ( the house batteries sit in a purpose molded plastic tray). All hardware is SST with battery absorbant matts and terminal felts. It is as new for 12 years , with annual maintenance.


The battery box in my '87 GN ( mounted in the trunk) is also powder coated but I also use a yellow top Optima. Most of my collectable vehicles use the Optima battery , just for that purpose. Dielectric grease, gold plated terminals ect can be used as well.


There are many mfg'ers who produce molded plastics marine and automotive purpose battery boxes.

GUSTO14

Rhino Linings... http://www.rhinolinings.com/

Yes, it the same company that makes bed liners for pick-ups etc. The coating is very easy to apply and can even be tinted different colors. It's durable, remains flexible over time and is very resistant to abrasions. I've used it on a number of places on machinery that are prone to corrosion and hard to get at to remove it.

There are a number of other companies that offer similar materials. You can pick them up at most good auto parts stores. It is most excellent for coating battery trays. Prepare the surface properly (neutralize any acid present) and it will last until you manage to damage the finish and allow acid to get to the metal underneath.

Oh, and I've also had good luck with the Exide Orbitals...

Good luck... GUSTO