It was written: >> On Monday, August 12, 2002, at 09:40 PM, Peter VanDerWal wrote: >>> Remember this box will probably be holding over 1/2 ton of batteries, do >>> you really want to risk having them come loose at speed when you hit a >>> bump or have an accident? >> >> Actually, it'll probably have more like 300-390 lbs. But no, I don't want >> to have them come loose in an accident! I believe that a properly bolted >> box can be just as strong as a welded one, maybe even stronger as long as >> you use the correct materials and mounting points. > > A welded-in battery box is stronger. Actually, it's MUCH stronger, > especially in an accident where the box will bend. Think of a piece of > paper fastened to a wall with thumbtacks versus the same piece of paper > glued to the wall along it's edge.
When I was rear ended in my S-10 by a large pickup, the impact was mostly on my rear battery box. My boxes consist of a 1/4" polyethylene plastic box supported by U-shaped 2 or 3" wide, 1/4" thick steel flatbar, welded to the frame and 1.5" square crossmembers. This was a bit overkill - I think I could easily have gone with a much lighter design, but this worked at the time. I choose to have a professional welder come rather than trying to do it myself, becasue I wanted the welds to be really, really good. When we got hit, the steel flatbar bent, but not one of the welds even cracked in the least - my frame even bent where the square stock was welded on. This photo doesn't show it that well, but the top of that piece of square stock had been horizontal. It took the frame with it when it twisted. http://members.fortunecity.com/electricityboy/Tour%20Photos%20Web%20Page/Pag es/Image161.html So, like you said, welds can be really strong. Personally, after having been hit, I would go for strong over easy. My 2 volts worth -Seth -- QUESTION INTERNAL COMBUSTION http://members.fortunecity.com/electricityboy http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/387.html
