I'm installing a temp leisure battery, which has different terminal layout than my current one. This one has positive terminal on the right. Should I fit the positive at the front under the wheel well (which already has a bit of rubber glued on) Or should I fit it so the terminals are at the back, which would mean positive would be back left and negative back right. The photo is of old battery set up with negative front right. No clamp Thanks
As long as its fastened down and can't move it shouldn't matter i'd imagine (though I'd go earth at the front near the wheel well).
I’d also fit it so the negative is under the wheel well and as said the battery must be secure. And always disconnect the earth first and reconnect it last of course.
I've just got a regular scrap yard battery in mine for leisure puposes. It's all I've ever needed. The terminals are with the positive at the front, which could be a serious fire risk if the battery slid forwards and hit the wheel well. Mine is properly clamped and has a plastic insulated cover on the positive terminal.
i don't have a clamp or an insulated cover. i think the bit of rubber glued to the spare wheel well should help prevent any sparks until i get properly sorted
I've only just read these having fitted it The positive is NOW at the front right under the spare wheel The only other option is to have the positive at the rear left and negative at rear right, almost behind the spare wheel well
The catch of course is that if you turn the battery back to front it's quite difficult to get at the terminals. I have quick release terminals which provide insulation. I like to be able to disconnect quickly. I do hope you are going to get a clamp to hold it down asap though.
Anyone recommend where I can get a suitable (easy to fit) cheap clamp from please? I'll get one for the main battery as well. My batteries haven't moved much in 20 years of ownership though
I have turned mine around to get the earth under the spare wheel well to stop any potential shorting issues- this does put the terminals to the outside of the bus which isnt quite as convienient but I figured this was better than a fire...
To be fair my Devon never had a clamp on the leisure battery and I ran my current bus 4 years without one, but then I had a minor incident. I tooled one up to match the clamp on the main battery. The catch is the the left hand tray doesn't have the same fittings to hold a battery as the other side. A quicker method is to get a clamp from Ha*fords or ebay.
Nice one @snotty Do you just poke them up through the drain holes, thread them through the metal bar and wind up the wing nuts?
Nope, you have to drill two holes for the threaded bits. Actually, looking at the pic, there are other versions with a big rubber strap that goes across the top of the battery. Have a look on fleaBay.
I've looked on ebay, can't see anything that looks like it will work, Can't really see how I can clamp onto anything I don't want to drill any holes in my bus if at all possible
Having an unsecure battery is dangerous and an MOT failure if it’s noticed, the police could also issue a fine if they decided to carry out an on the spot inspection. And no doubt if an insurance assessor was looking for a reason to avoid paying a claim they’d be happy to see a loose battery (or two), it basically means you’re driving without valid insurance. http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/unsecured-batteries-mot-failure.39806/ Anyway, at least you got the stereo retuned.
