What to do with Battery Strap

[breakfastinsmethwick]

The stap prevents the not insubstantial battery becoming a missile in the event of a roll over. Restraining it also reduces the chance of a fire due to a dead short on the underside of the bonnet during a roll over.

[championdaddy]

I have just spoken to an MOT tester...........

You do NOT need that strap......

So long as the battery is clamped down that is sufficient.

Why ours and other have a strap over the top..... who knows.

[BillyMG]

Originally Posted by grivas

The battery fitted is too big, take it back and replace with a 096. The straps are there for a very good reason, not to look pretty. They are a MOT safety requirement and will fail if not secured. If car was to roll over an unsecured battery dangles by cables which can come off causing a spark, then BOOM!! or a fire in the electronics.

In this unlikely case, why would it go 'BOOM'? What would it ignite? Do you mean the cables could come off and cause a spark? If they came off there would either be no live or no earth or both so no spark ... ?? Or do you mean the battery could come off causing a spark? Where would the plastic coated battery come off to and where would it dangle exactly? One inch out of the box to the underside of the bonnet?? There isn't enough clearance under there for the battery to leave it's box.

I'm not saying the straps don't provide some level of security - clearly they do - I just feel you're all being a bit panicky poo about this. Perhaps he should wrap the battery and himself up in cotton wool too??

[BillyMG]

Originally Posted by breakfastinsmethwick

The stap prevents the not insubstantial battery becoming a missile in the event of a roll over. Restraining it also reduces the chance of a fire due to a dead short on the underside of the bonnet during a roll over.

This I can understand about the short but how will the battery get out of its box to become a missile ??

[BillyMG]

I mean Christ you'll be stopping kids from lighting their farts next

[trikey]

Originally Posted by topman

Makes sense, it's not like it can move far.

Unless you crash! Then it will be like a missile.

[topman]

I think that's unlikely.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by BillyRover

This I can understand about the short but how will the battery get out of its box to become a missile ??

Inertia is a very strong force, not to be underestimated. The box is plastic and not that strong. A battery can deliver a considerable instantaneous current when shorted. In delivering heavy currents a battery can heat up to the point where they can turn into a bomb, spraying acid all over the place.

Manufacturers never fit parts they think are unnecessary, it costs money and affects sales. Rover thought it necessary spend the extra to clamp and strap the battery down, so why make the car less safe?.

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by trikey

Unless you crash! Then it will be like a missile.

If the crash is that bad I suspect what your battery is doing will be the least of your concerns.

[clf]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

If the crash is that bad I suspect what your battery is doing will be the least of your concerns.

but may be of interest to bystanders or the emergency services.

In saying all that, I do not understand why there is a belt and braces, literally, with the battery. MGR could have saved perhaps £50-100k on deleting the strap - maybe it allowed for batteries without mouldings to utilise the brace?