I am a fan of German engineering and always have been. Everything seems so purpose built, form following function without sacrificing attractiveness. However, there are certain things that they did that make me wonder, WTF were they thinking? Our cars have hell holes because the battery is exposed to the elements. Water + battery + metal = crap! This is even worse on my bus where the air scoop sucks in water and dumps it right on top of the battery without concern for the metal surrounding it. So, I endeavored to find a simple and inexpensive solution to this problem and I did. For about $8 + $7 shipping I managed to buy a new plastic battery box from batterymart.com. Simple, inexpensive, and effective. I think the German engineers would agree

Don't forget the hilariously horrible 914 battery tray that when it is installed dirt and moisture gather under it and you can *NOT* get it out at all.

I cut mine out and will never put another back in.

Simply a moisture trap. Deka baby battery in the trunk is the way to go.

I've used plastic battery boxes to mount the battery in the rear trunk. Think I got them from a RV parts dept. What's wrong with an Optima type battery? Can mount it anywere in any postion..(don't let your mind wander)....

I was hip ( ?? ) to that idea years ago , I had a 72 Super Beetle ( Elmo ) that I installed one in the next day after getting it , this was one of those bugs that didn't have any rust anywhere , except for a pea sized hole close to the battery area , it even had the original battery edge cliand factory hold down. I took it out before Elmo got gone , plan on using it in my 914 , or one similar to fit. I agree with the battery tray holder being a medium of contamination and future rot , so I'm going to install ( drill ) strategically holes for drainage , factory or not.

Jaxdream

I agree. I am installing a battery container box in the rear trunk with appropriate vents and drainage lines. This gives me room to adjust the upper valves on the right side (3.2 sixer).

I will be getting one of Perry's "umbrella tops" to protect the engine compartment from getting any rain, and I am looking at setting up a drainage tray. I do not like water anywhere near the interior body parts.

Hate rust cancer!!!

Steve Hurt

You can pick a up battery box at Wal-Fart in two different for +/- $5.00. I have one for my winch battery on my trailer, and both 914s. You can easily cut the side with tin snips to route the cable to the terminals.

This is really a no brainer and I wonder why more people don't do it.

I run the Orbital battery. Like a Optima but a little stronger. Don't need a box for them. They don't leak !

Jay at Partwerks in Chicago, designed one too. It had a drainage tube on the bottom of the tray went into one of the existing holes (drain funnel maybe?). I'm not sure if his family is still running his bussiness.

Underthetire, which model are you useing? Does it fit without mod and is there a special clamp? I need to pick one up soon. Thanks, Tod