battery case

[RDfella]

Anyone know of a source for 6v battery cases? They used to be available in fibreglass, but can't find them anymore. Rubber seems to be the only option nowadays and I've just received one. It's so floppy it's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. So floppy you couldn't clamp it in any way and as I don't intend locating it with black duct tape looks like another new part is going in the waste bin.

[scotty]

I got 2 from Paul Goff in UK.

Very robust, solid and very clamp-able.

One lives on the A10 the other outdoors on the hen house open to the elements and still in good nick

S

[RDfella]

Thanks for that scotty. I emailed Paul, but he informs me his battery cases are rubber and it's the battery inside that 'firms them up'. Not what I had in mind, and whilst I could, frankly I can't be ar**d to start making moulds to create my own cases. I don't want a jelly mould, I want a rigid case. Do they still make those original 6v rubber batteries? Maybe I could buy one and then scoop out the interior whe it expires as I used to do decades ago.

[Greybeard]

My case, from Goffy, is rubber with a battery that fills it.
What about folding up an aluminium, or even a plywood box form to put inside a rubber case?

[RDfella]

Neil - Had thought of an ally insert, but a) it wouldn't be as good as a rigid case and b) why should I have to bodge up a bad design?

[Swarfcut]

RD, time to go prospecting next time you go to the dump. You never know what lurks in the scrap battery pile. Maybe worth asking for a pick through at  your local bike shop, if you can face it!

 Swarfy.

[Slymo]

Easiest thing in the world is to make one out of plywood and spray it matt black. I have even gone to the extent of cutting ribs around the outside in imitation of the Exide pitch cases of old. You can then drop in a small 6N6 battery as usual.  All you need is a sufficient quantity of 7mm ply and a reasonably accurate saw. Small tip for the novices, make the box as a complete enclosed shape then cut off the lid.

[Brian]

I make mine out of wood, must have made 20 or more of them now. Just drop a modern battery inside.

[gt6uk]

Hi RD, i think i might have what you are looking for in the garage. i will have a look later and let you know.

Steve.

[RDfella]

Pic attached of one 'hard rubber' case. Maybe it needs some viagra? Was wondering if heating it up might harden it, given the process used for curing rubber? Haven't tried that yet, as don't want to destroy £30 'worth' of goods. Not that it is much good. Yesterday tried sticking some 4mm ply inside to stiffen it up, but that failed despite using sikaflex which normally sticks well to rubber, being a similar material. This is a real dog's breath of a product.

[Swarfcut]

RD That really needs a rigid internal box, then some double sided tape around the top edge will keep it in place. Polyurethane wood glue is also worth a try, it's quick setting an will stick you to almost anything.
 Swarfy.

[gt6uk]

RD, is this what you are looking for?

[RDfella]

As Swarfy said, the only way to stiffen that pile of jelly was to make a wooden box whose ID matched the battery and OD the flexible battery case. Now done but, again, why make unserviceable parts? I presumed 'hard rubber' would have been similar to an old battery case, not so floppy it can barely stand up without folding over. Not impressed at having to spend time overcoming others' not-fit-for-purpose merchandise. Had I known beforehand I'd have made a wooden battery box as another suggested. Have made several mahogany gun boxes over the years so the process is understood.