Battery tray, why do they crack and how to stop it?

[Tom W]

Hi all, happy Christmas.

Quick question on battery trays. It seems the P6 boot mounted battery tray has a reputation for cracking round the mounting flange. After I removed the battery to charge it, I found the tray on mine was in a pretty bad way, about half the flange has snapped off. I've bought a replacement in good condition, but I don't want it to crack again. So, my question is, am I missing any parts? Is the battery purely supported by the top hat shape of the flange on the tray. If so, has anyone modified the standard setup to prevent future cracking?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[KiwiRover]

Re: Battery tray, why do they crack and how to stop it

Not come across it myself but I've only ever seen two fiberglass battery trays. NZ built cars (and possibly export models too) had a battery tray made from steel and coated in plastic. They are of a sufficiently heavy gauge steel that rust isn't really a problem and the other advantage is that they are not tapered on the inside so you can actually fit a decent size battery in them. It could be worth trying to replicate one of these if you have ongoing troubles.

 

[josephp6man]

Re: Battery tray, why do they crack and how to stop it

hi kiwi,
all the export cars i have fetched in from the states have the metal battery tray as well, like you say heavy gauge and originally coated. if any one wants one i have a couple for sale.

ian

 

[colnerov]

Re: Battery tray, why do they crack and how to stop it

When I restored mine a few years ago the whole panel was in poor shape and the
battery tray broken as yours is. So I remade the panel welded a 16swg angle frame
around the aperture and welded two 16swg straps down and under the replacement
battery tray because like you I didn't want it doing it again. Personally I think it is
asking a lot of fibreglass/plastic to take the weight of a battery in a car.