A few months ago I mentioned how dangerous it is to have an uncovered battery under Your rear seat..
Someones knee digging into the seat can short out the uncovered battery and start the fiery death of another Beetle...
Someone mentioned the marine battery boxes, but they are about $80 each as they have terminals and things attached to them...
Well, Super Cheap has the standard plastic Battery Box on Special from $12-99 from thursday 19th aug until the 5th september,,,,

Lee

PS: I have nothing to do with super cheap... I'm just a VW
owner...

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

Hey Lee,
Thanks for the news, a question though on the battery box. Is it just a plastic cover for the battery or an entire box? Does it fit a standard battery?

Reason I ask.....I have to start afresh with my '60 bug, it has no harness or anything, and as it is 6v it seems to have a larger than normal battery. If these only fit a standard 12v then I'll avoid it, but if I can use it - cool!

Anyone have advice on building a new harness? Does anyone sell them?

It measures 180mm x 270mm no height given...
Whether it would be large enough for a large 6 volt battery I'm not sure.. and whether other sizes are made I don't know... if only one size is made.. it should be large enough...
I don't know of anyone with a wiring harness as Most VW parts that come into Australia come from Left Hand Drive Countries... Someone did mention on here they were going to start making them.. but they are expensive... about $200.
I think they cost around $200US in the uS.. for LHD..
I have totally rewired My 68 Auto Beetle and it was very difficult as I don't have access to all the different colors..
but wiring a 60s Beetle is a fairly a simple operation... I have done them before and have another to do soon...
The high low beam switch on the floor, no hazard lamps or relays etc.... just blinkers or trafficators .. All the ones I've done have been for 12 volts...
plus I usually convert them to sealed beams with the Rossi type headlamps...
and it is a complete battery box ... and the top isa really odd shape...
cheers

Lee

picture of Battery Box

is that thing still gonna be able to fit under the seat? And what about ventilation for the battery?

Whether it will fit under the seat...
I don't know though I have heard of people using them..
maybe they cut them down to size , would'nt be too difficult.
and they are made for Lead acid Batteries that need to breath.. they Do not seal the battery.. the leads have to be able to come out from different sides..

Lee

Maybe cut the top of and use it. cause that is the main problem shorting ?

For that price cutting is an option

[Edited on 23-8-2004 by beerdoc]

why cut the top and the bottom isn't joined together. the top just lifts off

I looked at those at Autobaun a few weeks ago...reckon they are too big with the lid on to sit under the bugs seats.
(The lid isn't joined on either...just sits on top)
Judy

[Edited on 23-8-2004 by ByronBug]

if it did fit under the seat it would be great and may not rust out the pan???, but it looks to high to fit under the seat

not a prob mate just making sure you got the info you were after cause i know i spent hours researching on the net cause there was no aussie forum at that time

Nice find, thanks mate.

Yeah I bought one for my Baja bug, it fits an 11 plate battery no probs, they were also selling larger ones for $17.99. As for just using the top, the idea with the box is that you wont get battery acid spilling onto the floor and rusting it with the battery in the box, it also comes with a strap to strap the lid to the box, and the lid is vented.
I'm not sure if it fits under the seat as I'm mounting mine behind the back seat, but I dont see it being a problem under the seat.
Graham

i use a car floor mat over the top of the battery, is that safe?

Use a rubber mat over the top of your battery
Judy

also using a rubber mat...might have a look at the supercheap battery boxes...

So long as the rubber mat doesn't rot or split etc... as they do when they are old... probably two thin mats or an old truck mud flap is good as they are really thick,,,

Incidently, the Positive terminal - closest to the centre of the car is the Dangerous one...
The earth strap is OK... its usually on the Right Hand side of the battery...

Lee