Leisure battery clamp

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by LewBLew, Jul 14, 2014.

  1. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Halfrauds sell battery tie down kits.
    You'll need to drill a hole if theres not one there.
     
  2. OK thanks. Just wondered if it came with a hole as standard!
     
    snotty likes this.
  3. That clamp is made for the job. I have two here awaiting fitting (the main battery needs a better clamp). There's no existing hole on the left (or at least there isn't on mine).
    I don't have the leisure battery yet. I trial fitted an old 45Ah starter battery I have kicking around, and offered up the clamp - but I didn't want to drill the hole as the final LB will be larger and it needs to be in the right place.
     
  4. I remembered I'd driven the van to work today so went and had a look. There is a hole but it won't be in the right place for the LB. Ah well! Where to earth it to as well? The spare wheel well?
     
  5. I've used the corner of my motor (I have a type 2 and there's a bolt in the fan housing there) to earth the LB. thought that would be the very best as the current will be coming from there to charge it! But you could use the wheel well, or any bare metal really, cause it's all linked, isn't it!
     
    LewBLew likes this.
  6. Yep. Now I'm just trying to find a battery which will fit. They all seem too tall to fit under the spare wheel well. Anyone got any idea what the highest AH battery you can get which is no more than 200mm tall in total?!
     
  7. They do, but the JK holes have been made in China, and are of terrible quality...
     
    MK-Bay and MarcT512 like this.
  8. LewBLew likes this.
  9. I've had my last 4 batteries from them (different vehicles).
    All have been good and all are still going strong 2 years + later.
     
    paradox likes this.
  10. If you're using this type of clamp, it looks the part but as stated you need to drill a hole to bolt through. In addition the tray doesn't have a bracket at the back to stop the battery tipping so you need to fabricate something. Did on mine anyway.
     
  11. Push it up against the wall?
     
  12. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    I'd just get the Halfords type that goes right over the battery kind of like an inverted "U".
    2 holes, jobs a good'un.
     
  13. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    200 mm is a pretty standard height. But what you need to check is if the carrying handle on your chosen leisure battery fouls any quick release connectors you use. Mine is earthed to the spare wheel well.
    Also some leisure batteries like mine are the opposite hand to the starter battery so the negative terminal ends up nearly touching the wheel well not the positive terminal which would be the case if it had the same handedness as a starter battery and you fitted it with the terminals facing the engine.
     
  14. Probably not a great idea as if it moved you'd have a dent in your rear quarter. I you don't fancy replicating the fastenings on the right hand battery tray there's also a fitting which clamps from the top such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3908...f11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0. This what baysearcher mentions. I prefer the look of the one you refer to at JK mind.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2014
    LewBLew likes this.
  15. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    ^^^ that's the ones I meant.
     
    LewBLew likes this.
  16. It can't tip towards the rear quarter because I'm using the clamp on the engine-side bottom lip of the battery. So it can't tip towards the sides surely? With the clamp on secure enough I doubt it could tip the other way either (towards the engine). Sure it might come loose if the van was rolling upside down or fell on its side severely but the battery would be the last thing on my mind after gas, knives, pots and pans! So I don't quite get the problem.. o_O
     
  17. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Those clamps hold the battery down if its up against something on the other side of the battery. If you rely solely on that clamp I'd guess it'll be rattling around in a few miles.
     
    LewBLew likes this.
  18. Ok cheers
     

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