AP2289 Build log 'stage 2'

[Harpoon PV2]

I think you are on the right track. You could make some crescent moon peace's of metal, that would follow the bezel on the watches. Make them wide enough for the screw to go through the crescent on the outside edge of the watch and then do what you are thinking of doing, drill and tap the back plate with spacers. I think that would make it pretty hard to pilfer! Cheers, Dennis

[xb-60]

Today's job - fit switch knobs.....



The ignition switch is around the place somewhere, just got to find the "safe place" where I put it some years ago


Cheers!
Glen

edit: still no update on when my mechanic will be available

[xb-60]

Back to the stopwatch security issue, I added 3 x M5 screws to each stopwatch, with nyloc nuts on each side of the mounting panel.



Cheers,
Glen

[Harpoon PV2]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Back to the stopwatch security issue, I added 3 x M5 screws to each stopwatch, with nyloc nuts on each side of the mounting panel.

Attachment 37538

Cheers,
Glen

Looks good, Kiss (keep it stupidly simple) method! Should keep them in place, and stop them from walking away from the car! Cheers, Dennis

[xb-60]

Yes, I know this is "belts and braces" ....but I like Cole Hersee switches, and it adds an extra degree of security. It will be mounted in the trunk.






Cheers!
Glen

[tkb289]

Glen,

Great idea and well executed.

Having a master switch to disconnect the battery is a good idea for many reasons. The two primary benefits are being able to safely work on the electrical system and as you mention, a security device.

- Tim

[xb-60]

Thanks Tim. However, now with a few days to think about it......

A further development here ….. I'm now looking for a different location for my battery disconnect switch.
Why? Well the continually developing story is – I started investigating where to run the battery cable from the battery's current location in the trunk, forward to the engine bay. Sounds easy, but my ‘chassis’ is a semi monocoque, and the routing of a substantial cable almost the full length of the car in a safe manner is far harder than I thought. Hence, considering locating the battery on the floor in the passenger’s footwell. It will fit easily, access will be adequate, securing it should be easy enough ….and importantly, the route of the battery cable will be short, direct and easy.
Now the problem is where to locate the battery disconnect switch in a safe and secure place but that will be an easy one to solve.

Cheers!
Glen

[1795]

Glen,

Have you placed the battery box in the passenger footwell and tested for fit with someone sitting in the seat? I have the battery in the same place on the race car, and when I take people out for a ride to the false grid or around the track, their knees are just below their chin.

Cheers,

Jim

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 1795

...Have you placed the battery box in the passenger footwell and tested for fit with someone sitting in the seat? ...

Jim,

Yes, have placed the battery in the footwell, and there is adequate room for my legs. I'm 6'2", and I would be comfortable sitting in the passenger's seat with the battery fitted in the footwell.

Here's a pic of the footwell. I'm sitting in the passenger seat and I have to stretch my feet out - with my legs straight - to touch the front of the footbox.
Remember, he [Cobra] is RHD. No battery in place, obviously.





I remember thinking some time ago that, because of the depth of the footbox, I might need to provide a footrest of some sort (like the "flipable footrest" fitted to Datsun 240/260Z's passenger side).
If I do mount the battery here, I will provide an angled footrest panel (easily removable for battery access).

Will post pics if that's the way it pans out.

Cheers!
Glen

[Harpoon PV2]

I had to look that up, since I knew my 240Z didn't have those, it was an option! I can see where they would have been nice, I know most of the women I dated back then, had trouble with no foot support. On the other hand, I took a friend who was 6'4" to pick up his car, he said, "I can't fit in there!" I told him to shut up and be grateful! Of course once he got in, his feet were comfortably on the firewall. He said he couldn't believe how much room there was. Cheers, Dennis

[xb-60]

OK, near end of the week, and thoughts turn to ....the battery mounting

So, already established that I have more than adequate room in the passenger's footwell, enough to be able to hide the battery in there.

I added - with not a little amount of time consumed - a small platform for the battery to sit on. Didn't want it sitting on the floor for a number of practical reasons.

So, this is what I came up with....






Then, pulling out the 'vice bender', made up an easily removable panel to hide and safeguard the battery.....




Here's the footrest sitting in place. Four screws to easily release the panel from the angle bracket behind it for access to the battery....




Cheers!
Glen

[1795]

double post.

[1795]

Glen,

Looks great! Nobody would even know that the battery is there. But with that cover in place, how is your passenger going to be able to experience the pleasure of placing both of their feet on the battery terminals as you accelerate ? You're denying them the true "jolt" of your cobra.

Cheers,

Jim

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by xb-60

OK, near end of the week, and thoughts turn to ....the battery mounting

So, already established that I have more than adequate room in the passenger's footwell, enough to be able to hide the battery in there.

I added - with not a little amount of time consumed - a small platform for the battery to sit on. Didn't want it sitting on the floor for a number of practical reasons.

So, this is what I came up with....



Attachment 37635


Then, pulling out the 'vice bender', made up an easily removable panel to hide and safeguard the battery.....

Attachment 37636


Here's the footrest sitting in place. Four screws to easily release the panel from the angle bracket behind it for access to the battery....

Attachment 37637


Cheers!
Glen

I rode in a car that was similarly equipped, and it was very uncomfortable. If a tall passenger cannot stretch his/her legs straight out it will be a disaster on anything more than a very short trip. Just a thought, as it is not possible to tell from the photos. Your work is awesome, Glen!

[xb-60]

Thanks Paul.
My footboxes are very deep, and I would probably have needed to include a footrest on the passenger side had I not decided to locate the battery there.
I'm tall, and I can sit there quite easily.

Cheers,
Glen

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Thanks Paul.
My footboxes are very deep, and I would probably have needed to include a footrest on the passenger side had I not decided to locate the battery there.
I'm tall, and I can sit there quite easily.

Cheers,
Glen

Very good, Glen!

[Blas]

Don’t forget to include a battery acid mat under the battery And terminal protective rubber boots should someone pushy too hard on the battery box cover.
Blas

[xb-60]

Blas, appreciated and noted. The battery will be securely restrained with the two straps, and there is approx. 2"-3" gap between the battery and the footrest/battery cover.
Also, I have stuck a rubber sheet to the rear side of the footrest/battery cover

Cheers!
Glen

[tkb289]

Glen,

Great solution to a challenging problem and your fabrication skills are top notch, especially when one considers your creative use of the tools & equipment that you have at hand.

Have you given any provision for ventilation of the battery? Some batteries come with a vent / drain tube for use in enclosed spaces. I would suspect some level of ventilation would be a good idea.

- Tim

[xb-60]

Tim,

Yes, tasks that are challenging because of a lack of equipment and space in the home garage often require "creative use of tools and equipment" ....but then a little thought can turn out results that, while not professional, are not unprofessional


Now, to ventilation. Here's another picture of the footwell with the panel sitting in position...



There is around 4'' to 5'' gap above the top of the footrest panel that can't be seen from the passenger seat, so not a problem for ventilation.

Further venting/drainage.... as it's not a sealed area, that's not a problem in itself. I do however already have a drain hole (shielded on the underside of the chassis to prevent moisture ingress) in each footwell, main purpose being for stormwater drainage.

Keep the comments coming. I often miss a detail and have to redesign or rework a feature.

Cheers!
Glen