battery box adapter

[jesselashcraft]

One of my pandemic projects was putting on the battery box that came with the car. When the car came to me, there was only one bolt holding it on. There were 4 holes in the battery box and 9 holes in the running board and only one hole would match up at a time! I made an adapter out of mahogany so I wouldn't have to drill any more holes in the running board. The Africans carved their canoes out of mahogany so it ought to stand up to any moisture it encounters. I fashioned some details in the adapter so it might appear to be "of the period" but I doubt I'll fool anybody. Anyway, I was able to place the battery box in between the doors so it doesn't present an obstacle to anyone getting in or out (the holes from before are probably from a longer tool box).
The battery box was big enough to fit two 6 volts Optima batteries. The idea is to someday operate a 12 volts light system with running lights, turn signals and stop lights by wiring the batteries in parallel.

[mtntee20]

Jesse,

For 12 volts you need to wire the batteries in SERIES. Wiring them in parallel will give you 6 volts but twice the amperage or battery life (amp/hours).

Wiring positive to negative and using the not connected negative and positive posts will give you 12 volts at the original amp/hour rating.

VERY NICE JOB!

Good Luck,
Terry

[Craig Leach]

I've seen this done before with a series parallel switch cranked on parallel 6vdc & ran on 12vdc series for lights & ignition. Big trucks used to use them to switch from 12vdc to 24vdc for cranking.
Craig.

[Allan]

Jesse, you have duplicated the way I mount toolboxes to my T's. I used the running board bolts to hold down the wooden base board. Then the toolbox is screwed to the wooden base. That way there is never a need to drill holes in an original Ford part.

Allan from down under.

[mtntee20]

Craig,

They still do have series/parallel switches. Although some of the more modern set ups do it electronically instead of with an old contact type switch.

Cheers,
Terry

[jesselashcraft]

>>>For 12 volts you need to wire the batteries in SERIES.<<<

Yeah, that's what I meant to write. I have to think about the difference every time.

Before I glued the two boards together that form the adapter, I dadoed a channel inside so the wires can run from an existing hole in the running board to the hole in the bottom of battery box.

[Scott_Conger]

when you're done, you'll sure want to place some sort of insulation in the lid

[Allan]

Those batteries need to be clamped down! Without that, Scott's suggestion of insulating the lid is really good insurance. How does one afford two red top Optima batteries?

Allan from down under.

[DHort]

$240 apiece right now. Made in Mexico. Designed in Milwaukee.