Battery strap options

[DeLorean]

Well mine is missing entirely... I don't want to pay the $150 DMCH wants for a strap... what else can I easily use?

[David T]

You can make up a bungee cord but in reality you really do not require any.
David Teitelbaum

[DeLorean]

I know you don't really "need" one as there is nothing but fiberglass in an enclosed box, however in many hard driving situations I can heat it clunking around in there. I was kind of thinking that a universal mount with threaded rod and a nut right into the floor would probably do the trick...

[Kenny_Z]

The old strap is just a braided fabric. Find an old bookbag, laptop bag, or fannypack at a thrift store and cut out what you need. Just be sure to use a lighter to melt the edges if the strap is weaved plastic.

[EdR5150]

PJ Grady used to sell a reconditioned kit for around $50, but I can't find it on the website anymore. As long as you don't care about having the OEM setup, you can make your own. Mine cost $3: http://www.16908.info/?p=560

[GS450-Junkie]

Feel silly for asking, but can someone please post a picture of how the OEM Battery Hold down strap is supposed to be routed and secured? I'm not figuring out the buckling system. Complicated little bugger....

[Soundkillr]

I actually used the full seat belt set up from a shopping cart. Works perfectly. You can unhook it very easily if needed. Mine even came in black....
The one I used is similar to this....

[EdR5150]

http://1561project.com/?page=batt-strap
http://dmcnews.com/Techsection/batterystrap.html


Feel silly for asking, but can someone please post a picture of how the OEM Battery Hold down strap is supposed to be routed and secured? I'm not figuring out the buckling system. Complicated little bugger....

[jawn101]

http://1561project.com/?page=batt-strap
http://dmcnews.com/Techsection/batterystrap.html

And even then, it's tough. The strap has a fixed length at one end and was designed (shortsightedly) to work with the Delco battery originally installed. My Interstate is too short for the strap and it's not possible to get it tight enough.

[mluder]

I modified a tie down strap from Home Depot. It was less then $10 and I had 3 straps left for tying stuff down.
This is the kit I bought...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-in-x-6-ft-x-1200-lb-Cam-Buckle-4-Pack-5205-111/203009785

I cut the hooks off and, if I recall I had one half of the strap, slipped it through the metal retaining hook and sewed it down. This one I installed in the back position because it's impossible to work in there. The other side I threaded through the part where the retainer clip would have gone and then shot some staples into it and bet over the ends to hold it together.

Since you don't have ANY part of the strap you may have to get creative. Take a trip to the hardware store... I bet you can come up with something.

Cheers
Steven

[GS450-Junkie]

And even then, it's tough. The strap has a fixed length at one end and was designed (shortsightedly) to work with the Delco battery originally installed. My Interstate is too short for the strap and it's not possible to get it tight enough.

I have the same battery, and the same problem. Whatever I end up doing it's gotta be fully adjustable once I'm done to ensure that it will work with any battery from this point on. I hate to cut the straps and then the next battery is bigger than the Interstate.

[1batt4u]

I think DPI(Josh) now sells them.

[jawn101]

I think DPI(Josh) now sells them.

Really? I don't see them on his site. Is it new or something? My original strap is in perfect condition but I despise the stupid thing. I'd love to get something that actually works.

[1batt4u]

Really? I don't see them on his site. Is it new or something? My original strap is in perfect condition but I despise the stupid thing. I'd love to get something that actually works.

I could have sworn I saw it some where.

[NightFlyer]

Feel silly for asking, but can someone please post a picture of how the OEM Battery Hold down strap is supposed to be routed and secured? I'm not figuring out the buckling system. Complicated little bugger....

Not sure if these help you or not - I took them last year after struggling a good while trying to figure it out so that I wouldn't forget again in the future. I'm currently away from my car for the next couple weeks for work, thus it's the best I can do for you.

Best luck :thumbup:

271322713327134

[DMCMW Dave]

You should be using a Size 78 battery. MANY people for some unknown reason are using size 75. 78 is very common, crosses to about every Chevy pickup truck ever made. Get a side terminal only battery, DO NOT let them talk you into a dual terminal battery as it is too tall.


Also see:

http://dmcnews.com/Techsection/batterystrap.html

[NightFlyer]

That's a Group 78 in my car. It is a dual terminal (top and side posts), and I have no problems fitting it in the battery cubby.

As far as tightening down the strap - I never do, as I don't drive the car in such a manner that I'm concerned about the battery shifting around. Not really sure why this is such a concern for many here...

In my DD's, as soon as the stock/OEM battery fails and needs to be replaced, the hold down typically goes into my 'parts eliminated' bin.

I personally prefer AGM car batteries manufactured by East Penn. I was previously an AC/Delco car battery loyalist until they started outsourcing some of the production. Now I'm an East Penn man. East Penn manufactures the AGM Duracell (available at Sam's Club) and AGM Sears Die Hard Advanced Gold. For more info, you can check out this thread:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?7511-Better-Battery-Option%28s%29-Than-Optima

[DMCMW Dave]

That's a Group 78 in my car. It is a dual terminal (top and side posts), and I have no problems fitting it in the battery cubby.

As far as tightening down the strap - I never do, as I don't drive the car in such a manner that I'm concerned about the battery shifting around. Not really sure why this is such a concern for many here...

In my DD's, as soon as the stock/OEM battery fails and needs to be replaced, the hold down typically goes into my 'parts eliminated' bin.



May be some slight variation, but some two-terminal batteries will hit the top of the compartment at the back. Makes them hard to put in there and puts some stress on the posts.

I kind of agree on strapping the battery since it's inside the car and in wood/plastic anyway. O\n "normal" cars if not strapped it can bounce in the battery compartment which is rough on the internals and I've seen things short as the battery terminals make contact with metal parts under the hood. Depends completely on the design of the car relative to the compartment.

[jawn101]

As far as tightening down the strap - I never do, as I don't drive the car in such a manner that I'm concerned about the battery shifting around. Not really sure why this is such a concern for many here...


If it's not tight, the strap becomes just one more source of noise in the car. But I can't bring myself to cut it out since it's in perfect shape and removing it is a one-way trip. For now I have a little piece of bubble wrap zip tied around the metal ends so they don't clank around. I'm hoping my next battery (should be soon) will be a little taller so I can use it as it was intended.

Plus, wanting the battery to be secured down isn't automatically a question of necessity. The old "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it" mentality.

[NightFlyer]

I kind of agree on strapping the battery since it's inside the car and in wood/plastic anyway. O\n "normal" cars if not strapped it can bounce in the battery compartment which is rough on the internals and I've seen things short as the battery terminals make contact with metal parts under the hood. Depends completely on the design of the car relative to the compartment.

Yup - totally dependent on compartment design. In most cases, I can eliminate the hold down without issue, but in some designs, it's better to keep them.

[GS450-Junkie]

Just finished up a refurb on my battery strap setup. Took out the metal hold-down straps and had them blasted and powder coated. Opted for some new straps and went ahead and had some quick disconnects sewn on. Installation was a snap and it unhooks and re-hooks in less than a second. Damn OCD.....:tongue2: Well, at least that's done....

[DMC-81]

Hi. That looks great. Question: do you still have the metal hook pictured in the bottom right of the third photo? I need that particular part.


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