Re: (ET) panels - materials besides steel - Frame Bent ??

[JBR <reinharj frontiernet net>]

The plastic battery box I have for trolling motor battery is too large to 
fit 
2 or 4 of them on the Electrak - but maybe other mnufacturers have better 
models.  

Frame Bent ? Wow, I did not think there were that many screws in the front 
panels that they would add much, unless they are helping by holding the 
front 
upright parallel to the console casting.  In the rear - multiple spot 
welds - 
those seem stronger.

Either way, David's suggestion of angle iron frame should solve that 
problem, 
and metal could be added anywhere to strengthen the frame.

My neighbor, who presently makes large (hang on Billboard) 3D fiberglass 
signs,  wants to make a vacuum system large enough to mass produce some of 
his signs.  I don't know how much taper a battery box would have to have 
to 
release from a vacuum form shape - also, the walls would be very thin in 
spots,

That is why Davids suggestion - and comment that guys are already doing 
this - 
was so interesting to me ... it sounded like something that could easily 
be 
set up - backyard style - so I don't need a full sheet metal shop for 14 & 
16 
gauge metal, etc.

I would like one of my machines to look OEM good again (so I might 
eventually 
buy some of those new panels), but the others could be experimental ...

On Sunday 11 June 2006 10:58 pm, Bob Murcek wrote:
> Y'all are aware of the plastic battery boxes that they sell for trolling
> batteries, right?  Dunno if these would add too much size to fit in a 
> stock
> tractor, but I've been using them in one I modified for 24V operation.  
> Got
> them pretty cheap at WallMart.
>
> >>> Jim Coate <jbc coate org> 6/11/2006 10:46:12 PM >>>
>
> A few months back someone posted that the side panels seemed to have
> structural functions. As in he had operated the tractor without panels
> and the frame bent. So... plastic panels may not be a good idea?
>
> I had thought that stainless steel would survive the acid just fine, but
> recent posts make me wonder?