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MG MGA - 12 volt battery and tool box

Hi all. Sure some one has done this before but its new to me so I thought I would share my idea with you all on this wet Sunday.
I removed the 6 volt batteries and replaced with one 12v, was left with a large space so with a spare piece of aluminium fabricated a tool box to fit into the space. I can now fit a small jack, 1 ltr oil, inner tube, spanners etc
I know its not much but saves space in the boot.
Will now try to up load photos
Ian McGregor

Exactly what I did about 5 years ago, except I made my tool box out of S/S and made sure it was a good seal on the lid so it could keep everything inside in a good condition.
Only problem I have had was on the 2 occassions I have needed a tool on both times it has been whilst travelling to a Gite in France with all our luggage fully loaded. It is then a ball ache to take everything that was stored behind the seats to gain access to the toolbox via the battery cover. Can't win em all can you.

Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

photo ?

Ian McGregor

Love this idea , I'm going to source some aluminum to build one to come up flush to the battery cover
Chris Velardi

Ian, what type and size of battery did you use, I couldn't find any that fit the original battery cradle on this side of the pond.

Andy 60 coupe
Andy Preston

Andy

I had to weld a very small extension on the the end of the cradle to take the standard size battery, but I believe there are batteries that do fit the existing size. I am sure there is mention in the archives of suitable size batteries.

As an aside, I fitted my spare battery in the other cradle. I run them in series with one always isolated. A useful get you home method for battery problems when out on a run. Hopefully I then don't need the extensive tool kit! It has helped me out a couple of times during the last 5 years.

Steve
Steve Gyles

We did the exact same thing with our A. Nice tool box but we have never used it. Its far easier to get into the boot for tools than lift up the rear cover panel. I suppose if i was travelling for a while I would use it. This box was inserted before the body so it cannot be removed without distroying it.

DJ Lake

Yes I know what you are all saying but if you haven't got that spanner /jack cos the little lady wants that extra space in the boot this is the next best thing.
What I find is if I have the spanner / jack, I will need the socket set,It's a bit of trying to out guess the gremlins!
One other shot of the box in place,still room to get battery out
Ian Mc
ps. any one going to do this years Christmas Cracker run in the lakes this weekend I know I have the only MGA enterd?Last year was good bit of snow.

Ian McGregor

Ian, Nice idea to extend the box side ways at the top. Now I know what to do with the empty cradle.
Andy - the one I bought recently was for a Fiat Punto diesel van - but maybe they don't permit Fiats into USA!
Cam Cunningham

I swiped a tupperware plastic container to fit in the other battery box for road spares. No problems with rust or water. As only as my wife does not find that it is missing.
Keith Lowman

Andy
There is quite a lot in archives. People your side of the pond talk about a Group 26 battery, whatever that is. Apparently there is also much in the MGB archives.
Good luck, Graham
Graham M V

Andy

I am told that a Miata battery fits with room to spare.

HTH

Larry
58A
Lawrence Hallanger

Different car same concept, but I also did the 12V conversion on my MGC and fitted a drop in plastic liner made for the purpose. Perfect fit, and looks the business. Possibly they are available for the MGA from suppliers??

Just had a look, Brown & Gammons lists them for the A as an example:

BATTERY BIN 6 VOLT

Part no: GAC4096X
Price: 28.65 + 4.30 VAT = £32.95 (EACH)

Peter Steyn

I have a Miata battery in my "A." It does fit with room to spare, and seems to be very adequate for the task.

Ken
k v morton

I have Group 35 batteries in my cars.
R J Brown


I seem to remember reading about somebody using a military surplus ammo box. I picked one up for a buck or two, but it was a little too big to open the lid once in place.
I ended up keeping ammo in it instead, of all things.
It would have been perfect--a water-tight gasketted seal, heavy guage steel and a secure latch. I know they came in other sizes, though I haven't looked further.
If you make one out of stainless, you might want to consider insulating it galvanically from the steel rack to prevent corrosion.
Johh V.
John Vallely

This is a cool idea. Does anyone have dimentions for such a box? Thanks, Tom, 1960 1600
Thomas McNamara

An option I am considering is to get a demo battery from the local battery shop and use it as the carry-all toolbox. Looks like a battery, but isn't.
Mike Parker

Hi Tom
Of for the weekend in the A on a rally but when I get back I will post some dimensions of my t/box
Ian Mc
Ian McGregor

You guys have got me thinking about making use of the empty battery tray on my car vacated by the fitment of a single 12v battery. I liked all the suggestions and I was very impressed at the quality of the fabrication but I decided in the end to do something much more practical.

I thought long and hard about what was missing from an MGA, something really fundimental to the whole MGA experience and something that a normal MGA driver needs to make driving it complete!

This is my first fix and some attention to detail such as increased capacity and improved cooling etc is required but I am certain that, with a little ingenuity, we can refine the basic principle to make a quantum leap forward in MGA enjoyment.

Hope you all have a very "Merry" Christmas like me!
Colyn

Colyn Firth

Nice one Colyn! Have a great Christmas!

Neil
Neil McGurk

Ok, after 3 years of non-use, i have finally moved the tools, jack and water bottle out of the boot and into the tool box. I was amazed how much space was inside the box. Now the boot doesnt have things moving around. Im glad i did it. Just remember to keep a large screwdriver in the door pockets to open the battery cover.
DJ Lake

Colyn, how do you keep the beer cold?...although I somehow don't think its a problem in the UK! An addition of an ice box would be a must here in Oz.

Gary Lock

Not been a problem so far Gary, somehow the beer seems to be consumed long before it gets warm!
Colyn
Colyn Firth

This thread was discussed between 29/11/2009 and 27/12/2009

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