Octane: New Battery Cover

97 Octane

97 Octane

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This has been a project I've been working on. Built a new battery cover made of 1/4 inch plexiglass to replace the OEM battery cover on my Mark.

http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/Octane/vehicles/74587/photos/4305391

The new battery cover features blue LED lighting from below both battery clamps and it gives the post a nice blue halo effect at night whenever I take it to a car show.

http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/Octane/vehicles/74587/photos/4305419

http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/Octane/vehicles/74587/photos/4305415

The cover design allows me to remove the cover at any time without having to rewire it each time the cover is removed. There are a set of positive and negative contacts imbeded at the holes where the battery post go through. Electrical connection for the Blue LED circuit is made when the cover is put back on the battery.

http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/Octane/vehicles/74587/photos/4305423

Here you see the switch hidden on the bottom of the cover. The switch will be hidden from view once it is installed over the battery. I can manually turn it on whenever the need comes up or at a show.

The LEDs brightness is controlled through that blue potentiometer. Set at 7 Volts, it keeps the Blue LEDs from burning out too soon. All the wires are bonded to bottom cover by a two part clear epoxy.

http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/Octane/vehicles/74587/photos/4305399
http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/Octane/vehicles/74587/photos/4305403


The clear top plexiglass acts as a barrier to prevent accidental electric contacts by show spectators. It also reflects the shine off the LEDs at night giving it a real nice effect.

Stay tuned for more neat stuff.............
Thanks for looking!
 
This all sounds pretty cool, but unfortunately, I can't see any of the pics....

Anyone else?
 
ahhh, just more clutter in the already cluttered engine bay. Night as well put matching neons under the car also. :eek:
 
Ok, now it's letting me click on them...


Looks pretty nice. Good workmanship.

Interested in getting anything laser engraved into the plexiglass? I've got a laser engraver here at work that I love to play with. lol. If that plexiglass lights up, an engraved area ought to really stand out.

Just an offer...
 
Sorry the pics didn't come up. I'll get this photo posting right one day.
 
You really need to learn how to post pics. Put the dang
before IMG.
 
That thing looks cool. I would like to see some pics on the car...
 
I must be missing something here lol. I guess it's just one of those things that interest some and don't interest others, idk. Now if you have an engine bay worth looking at, I could understand making the battery look all pretty and stuff.
 
The rubber grommet you see at the top is to protect the new 4ga B+ and Neg wires that will go through there. That raised bump hides the filler cap of the battery. Next to the post holes are the tiny Blue LED lights.

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The clear polished plexi is held up by a set of four chrome stanchions. It is there for two reasons. One; it is to prevent accidental shorts if someone sets a piece of conductive material across the posts. Two; To garner points at SQ competitions. Careful measurements were taken as not to sit too high and touch the hood when closed

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I used a router to open up this tunnel. (Picturebelow) This was necessary to give me more clearance to avoid hitting the hood once the cover is on the battery.The blue object inside the tunnel is the LEDs voltage regulator set at 7 volts.

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Blue LED lights were epoxied underneath the cover, at either side, next to the post holes. (Pictured below)

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Took a few minutes to temporarily install the cover on my '94 Mark, Magnatude. Because I'm a car guy like you all are. I'm willing to bet you are wondering how this will look in a real car. So... few pictures were taken to kinda give you all a different angle cause it is very difficult to take one nice shot at night.


I epoxied a chrome metal Lincoln Badge over the center of the cover underneath the clear plexi.


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I can turn the LEDs on and off just by reaching for the hidden switch between the coolant reservoir and the battery cover.

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There are two extra sets of black wire loom taped to make it look like factory wiring leading from the alternator to the battery. In one of those wire loom is the 4ga Streetwires brand ground cable attached to the alternator body and another 4ga Streetwires cable. This one is the positive conductor. Both cables are wrapped in Techflex fire retardant flexible net loom. Splitloom is wrapped over that and taped with 3M black electrical tape. From the view in engine bay, I wanted the wires to look like it was installed there from the factory.
 
Nice stuff man! I really like your creativity with your car. I've been following the other threads with your work. I like your taste....er....in car stuff. You should start one thread with Octane progress thread or something. Post up everything youve already done. I would def subscribe to it. Great stuff again!
 
I think a digital volt display would look good tied in there somehow.
 
I gotta say, I am impressed with your custom skills. Quality looks top notch. Kudos!
 
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