Battery Hold Down Source

[WildHorses 378]

I've got several horse's that all need new battery hold down bars and rods.  I'm not finding a good (cheap) source for a battery hold down kit.  Does anyone make them, I haven't seen any in the vendors section or on the auction site.  I think paying $20+/ plus shipping is a little crazy for something that has to be Jerry rigged, especially when the hold down bars I'm seeing don't have the middle L shaped section to actually hold the battery in place like the originals. I don't have the time or tools to make my own or I would based on what I'm seeing.  Does anyone have a better solution? Maybe something made out of plastic? Or know where I can get a good new set for $10-15 each?

 

I attached a picture of what I'm looking for exactly. 

Edited April 19, 2017 by danielbaute
correcting

[Jerry77 1,218]

I would try A to Z in our vendor section - probably has what you need..

[wallfish 15,907]

Since you don't have the tools now, put the $80 towards them and the steel pieces then you end up with the tools. ($80 cost for 4 @ $20 ea )

 

2 steel rods = $10

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-x-48-in-Plain-Steel-Round-Rod-801587/204273972

Angle = $6

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-48-in-x-1-2-in-x-1-8-in-Plain-Steel-Angle-800877/204225743

Drill bit = $6

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-1-4-in-Cobalt-Red-Helix-Drill-Bit-48-89-2313/203115295

1/4-20 die for cutting threads = $7

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gyros-1-4-20-Threading-Carbon-Steel-Hex-Rethreading-Dies-92-91420/204626038

Small adjustable wrench for Die and to tighten nuts -$8

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-MaxSteel-6-in-Adjustable-Wrench-90-947/203710898

Vice = $30

http://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-4-1-2-in-Light-Duty-Bench-Vise-with-Swivel-Base-BV-HW45/205023078

Drill =$20

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-Reconditioned-5-5-Amp-3-8-in-Corded-Variable-Speed-Drill-ZRD43K/206382736

Hammer = $10

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-20-oz-Ripping-Hammer-N-S20SHD-HN/205157322

Hacksaw = $5

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-10-in-Standard-Hacksaw-12150/204748830

Tape measure = $8

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-12-ft-Tape-Measure-33-312L/100123236

Lag bolts for mounting vice, 1/4-20 washers and nuts = $3

Black paint = $1

 

You can skip the angle pieces, just buy more rod and bend it. It holds the battery because it goes across the top of the battery vs holding it on the corner. Use the money for the drill, angle steel and bit to buy a propane torch which will make bending the rod into a circle much easier. You could also buy threaded rod instead of steel rod and a die.

Propane torch = $17

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-UL100-Basic-Propane-Torch-Kit-UL100KC/203665003

 

1 hour to shop for tools and parts, 2 hours for mounting vise and building 4 battery braces.

Total = $106 so it just cost you an extra $26 and a few hours for those tools plus 4 battery hold downs. Skip the angle, drill and bit and save another $15 plus less time to build.

Building your own stuff = priceless

Just spent 1/2 hour putting this reply together. LOL  I have more time into this project than you do!

P.S. Probably best if holes are drilled directly into corner of angle

 

 

 

[WHX?? 46,693]

I agree with John and would do what he is suggesting , but I do realize some members just are not a fab kind of guy and maybe don't even have the space or inclination to do fab work. I do know the missus gets kind of uppity when I heat metal in her laundry room!  My suggestion would be to find a neighbor orcoworker  who does and perhaps and get him a stick of summer sausage & a 12 pack & make some friends! Maybe find a local who says sure I can whip that out while we shoot the breeze. When he's done you ask whadda I owe ya and he says how bout five bucks or even nothing...... that's when you proceed to buy the aforementioned groceries 

[doc724 924]

Stens has generic ones, about $11 as I recall

[Jerry77 1,218]

Everything but the angle piece - Ebay - https://www.jackssmallengines.com/equipment/list/lawn-tractor/Batteries/BATTERY-HOLD-DOWN      

[WildHorses 378]

I have the tools to do what Wallfish is suggesting. I don't have the tools to make a replica of the original which is what I want. My gripe isn't so much that I can't find something that will work (or that I can't make something that will work), I just don't think it should cost $30-40 unless it is exactly what came on the tractor and it's new. 

[cleat 4,936]

Here is where I bought one exactly like the original.

 

http://www.mowerpartpros.com/OEMpartfinder.htm#/Toro_Consumer/31-20OE01,_520-H_Garden_Tractor,_1988/ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM/31-20OE01-2550-1988/810623R1-23R10062-00028

 

Cleat