Battery location

[Digger09]

Was trying to think of the best way to mount a battery under the bed of the mule. I wanted to try to avoid drilling thru the bed. I've seen some with the mounting off the chassis tube. Any thoughts and better yet any pics would be great.

 

[RodUSMC1962]

Is yours electric start now? If it is the old pull start I think it take a fair amount of work to change it. When I in the Corps all ours were pull start, so I have never converted one.

 

[hndrsonj]

It's easy to convert. I'd order a box from mechanical mules of America.

 

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

I really have difficulty with the photos posting portion of this forum. I was typing a response and uploading photos. The photos did upload. The response was typed, but my computer froze. I had to shut it down. Kept the photos and lost the response. Maybe I need to upload the photos before typing the response; let the computer freeze up; shut it down; restart the forums; and then type the response using the photos that were uploaded. Yea, that's sound like a really good plan.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yea, battery box placement.

When I bought mine, the battery "box" was fastened to the frame tube under the right side. It used a full-size battery and they originally used an insulated bolt as an attachment point for the battery charger. It does not have an alternator. I did not particularly like the look and wanted to be able to store the seat / foot basket in the original location - not that I ever will, but how else can you win "Best of Show" - not that I ever will.


Original location -

OK, screw it! You should see the photos, but oh well!

 

[Digger09]

Its already converted and the battery was up on the deck. I want to hide it underneath so I can maximize the deck space. I was looking at group 26 size batteries which aren't to large or possibly a lawn tractor type battery. I did see the mount at Mechanical Mules of America and it looks like its mounted with bolts going thru the chassis tube but I'm not 100% on that. Is that ok to mount like that?

 

[hndrsonj]

Yes, a lot are done that way.

 

[emmado22]

A lawn tractor battery is plenty big enough for a Mule.

 

[emmado22]

 

[Digger09]

Great looking mule!

 

[emmado22]

That was what it looked like when I started.. Here is it now.

 

[Digger09]

Nice work!

 

[emmado22]

95% of it was cosmetic work. Mechanicals were fine when I bought it.

 

[Digger09]

Sounds like mine. Runs like a champ. Just doing a couple little things before I paint and stencil it. Im almost there.

 

[Digger09]

This is the battery box idea I came with. Didnt have to drill any holes just a couple clamps.

 

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

I am aware that ammo cans as battery boxes should be vented and I expect you are too.
However, I gotta say that ammo can hanging under there looks a whole bunch better than any battery you could put under there.
Most excellent job! I like it!

 

[Digger09]

I cut the lid open from terminal to terminal which makes it well vented I think.

 

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

On closer inspection of the photo, I can see the cut in the lid. I agree. I can't possibly see how that can is not vented.
I still think it looks really good - much better than just an old battery hanging down there. It almost looks like it is supposed to be there - like some kind of ammunition storage rack.

 

[The Auto Shop teacher]

Nice, clean looking setup. Please remember to tie the battery down in that box otherwise rough bouncing (do mules bounce?) will put the battery terminals into the bed causing a short circuit.

 

[Digger09]

Its tied down on the inside. It doesnt move around at all.

 

[C15TA]

This is how I am going to revamp my battery box. I was at the Sussex show in the spring and saw the way Digger09 did this and thought it looked great. Notice the way he finished the handle on the end of the can. Nice engineering.
Cheers,
Barry