2nd battery installation warning

[bushpig]

Hi all, I have just posted an article on 2nd battery installation. Anyone considering a 2nd battery should read this. Please email me if you have any questions.

Cheers
Jack

[chaser]

send me the photos as i to have the battery in the same place

[TOMUCH]

Yeah Mate, I'll have a look at the pics too... I have a battery set up in the same place...its an AGM as well.... TOMUCH
Send the pics to
mgbarnes@bigpond.net.au

[Uteracer]

Bushpig, what type or brand of tray was it that you had installed originally?

[Dave]

Here's the photo from Jack

[TOMUCH]

Bushpig, what type of battery carrier were you using?? was it commercially bought (ARB / TJM) or did you make it yourself?? I have the ARB Version and have had the AGM Battery fitted approx 6 months and no evidence of cracking yet... I have driven over some pretty shitty terrain and no problem yet... can you give us any more info??? or pics of how the battery looked when mounted?? Cheers TOMUCH

[bushpig]

I bought the the tray from ABR and is a 90amp AGM. I beleive that the tray is from ARB. The problem was that it was bolted dirctly onto the wheel arh and all weight was on forward two bolts. Arch flexed and cracked. I have taken some photos but don't know how to upload them here.

[Brett B]

Hmmm, mine is fitted in the same spot using ARB carrier, all ok at vthe moment.

Have u contacted ARB ??

[DrewXT]

This isn't the first I've heard of an ARB bracket causing the guard to be split...

Apparently the Piranha stainless tray doesn't have as many problems...

[TOMUCH]

Bushpig, I got your pics on my PM... The tray shown is a generic battery tray available from Super Cheap for about $12.00.. The ARB one I have is purpose built to fit the existing holes and mounts in several places on both the inner guard and side guard.... The ARB Battery tray cost approx $130.00 about the same as the TJM item...(and looks very similar except TJM is stainless) Cheers TOMUCH

[Brett B]

Can u post the pic of this trouble carrier here ?

Would be intereted to see it :o

[TOMUCH]

Guys I believe this is the kit that Bushpig bought through a company called ABR run by a fella named Derek Bester... if you look at the battery tray you will see how flimsy it is .... a flat tray being bolted to a curved surface is not going to last... no matter how many dodgy brackets are made to support it... http://www.sidewinder.com.au/page40.html

Guys, make sure you do your homework before you spend the cash... a liitle extra in the beginning MAY produce better results in the long run.... having said that I do not advise just going out and buying ARB or TJM... their gear can have problems too... but just ensure you are getting value for your hard earned cash... Remember, if the gear you buy is gunna break... its gunna break when you need it the most...Murphys Law.... Cheers TOMUCH

[Brett B]

Thanks for following this up TOMUCH, would be a few guys around goiing PHEW about now.

Major bummer for bushpig - I would be just a little more than upset.

[bushpig]

Thanks guys
I made a mistake buying the setup that I did. Should have gone to someone who knows about this stuff. Once bitten.....
All sorted now. The cost to have the existing tray modified and attached was $150 so had I bought properly the first time would have saved wheel arch and $30. If anyone else has this problem and you live in Sydney area Panther Trikes at Gosford will fix it up for you. Ask for Neill
Cheers Jack

[kazdan69]

Thanks guys,
Have been eyeing off the ABR kit on e-bay and will now stay away from it.
Cheers

[saab463]

I would steer well clear of any place that was playing off the name of a reputable company for their own benefit.

[Troyota]

I had a piranha battery tray on a 99 hilux and it split the inner guard in a similar way, although it was near the top of the guard and not the arch. I guess the answer isto check all installations regularly and only buy from reputable dealers.

[dibbsy]

had same cracks appear under my wheel arch after trip. i had a metal plate welded in similar to that under standad battery.

[TOMUCH]

Guys. I can't stress how improtant it is to fully support any battery you may fit into your car... if the bracket braeks and the battery leaks, you will have some pretty severe problems.... I have the ARB battery mount under the bonnet, there are some other really good ones out there too... they should be fully braced and preferably not welded... this can have a tendancy to weaken thin metal ... especially if you are putting a load on it... Cheers TOMUCH