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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> The battery covers purpose!
        
(Message started by: harry.m1byt on Jan 20^th, 2008, 11:42am)

Title: The battery covers purpose!
Post by harry.m1byt on Jan 20^th, 2008, 11:42am

I'm struggling a little with the idea that the battery covers purpose is solely to divert water away from the nearside fuse box. I see it oft repeated when there is a suggestion that damp has got into a fuse box, that it could be due to the lack of this battery cover.

Whilst accepting that it can offer some protection, I don't think that is why Ford fitted it at all. If the NS box needs extra weather protection, then why isn't the off side one similarly protected by a cover?

Even Ford themselves on the Granada fell for this, issueing a field modification in the form of a close fitting fexible cover to add over the top of the OS fusebox.

My own thoughts on the purpose of the battery cover are that it is there to prevent the battery being shorted out in the event of an RTA by the bonnet and thus causing a fire.

The fuse boxes themselves are fitted with an overlapping cover and further sealed by a soft rubber gasket. If the lid is correctly fitted, then this ought to be enough to keep out any water falling in from above - the only risk is that of drain holes becoming blocked with leaf debris, permitting water to be retained there. If retained the water can then make its way into the interior of the boxes.

So rather than worry about the battery cover being fitted - make sure the fuse box covers are properly located at the hinge end, firmly clipped at the clamp end and equally important - the bulhead drains are checked and kept clear of debris. You should also never allow large quantities of water to pour down into the bulkhead area, as the drains may not be able to cope.

Getting back to the battery cover...

I strongly suspect that the lack of a battery cover might be an MOT failure, should the tester happen to notice its absence.

Title: Re: The battery covers purpose!
Post by Tompion on Jan 20^th, 2008, 1:59pm

I don’t agree, the seal isn’t as good on the battery side fuse box, the box is rather long and not very well braced so the sides easily distort and can miss the seal in places, also the grill is above the battery side box but not the other box.

The battery side fuse box isn’t as well protected, you can see the copper layers down the side of the fuses, whereas the other fuse box has raised shrouds around the legs of the fuses & relays and has a couple of drain holes at the upper level.

I've added a couple of pictures with a white cable tie pushed through one of the drain holes as they aren't that obvious, the red arrow on the side shows the level the hole enters on the inside.

http://i.imgur.com/1yK6gTV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vpVFReZ.jpg

Title: Re: The battery covers purpose!
Post by mr._floppy on Jan 20^th, 2008, 5:58pm

Yes, other car models and manufacturers don't feel the need to cover the battery in the engine compartment, in fact the scorp's battery is well to the centre of the car and outside the engine bay and it would take a severe impact to distort the chassis and the bonnet.
My Crown Vic's battery is forward of even the radiator and therefore first in line for damage in a frontal collision.

Title: Re: The battery covers purpose!
Post by a900one on Jan 20^th, 2008, 7:25pm

Is it there to stop water over filling the battery and eating the metal under it, and the battery ending up on the passenger floor. Thats what use to happen on the old escort, but most batterys are sealed for life now.

Title: Re: The battery covers purpose!
Post by taliban aka Cheekyboy2 on Jan 21^st, 2008, 12:08am

the battery cover is not on the mot, however the security of the battery itself is.....

Title: Re: The battery covers purpose!
Post by martin_rowe on Jan 21^st, 2008, 8:48am

unfortunatly, battery security is not covered by the MOT, but the condition of the battery tray is if its in a 'prescribed' area or within 300mm of a mounting point of a safety item, steering, brakes , or suspension. insecure battery is actually an advisory item.

Title: Re: The battery covers purpose!
Post by sector-9 on Jan 28^th, 2008, 12:52am

Personally I agree with Harry - the fusebox seems adequately sealed from water dripping from above and is obviously designed to seal when closed. I suspect the cover is mainly a cosmetic item since it wouldn't do to have the battery, wires and fusebox visible through the grille on Ford's flagship motor!

Of course, I haven't suffered from wet fusebox(es) on my Scorp - though I did have a (cracked) cover fitted. As already said, the most important thing is to make sure that the drain holes are clear.

Darren