Firewall attachments behind the fuel tank

[WaiexB22]

I need to secure my battery box to my firewall. I would like to keep it up high, opposite the fuel tank. For everything else in this area I riveted it from the fuel tank side and covered the rivets with silicon to prevent damage to the fuel tank. My battery box needs to be removed to service the battery. I'm hesitant to use nut plates here due to interference with the fuel tank. Any suggestions???

My only thought is to build two stainless bars with threaded studs to place on the fuel tank side. I could keep it relatively thin and the back would be smooth and coated with silicon.

[Bryan Cotton]

I have an EarthX battery which is really light. I riveted some #10 nutplates in the firewall and made a light aluminum box. The side unbolts for easy battery removal.

[DCASonex]

I made mine with one end held in place by hinge on each end. One pin stays in place, the other is pin is removed to open the gate to change the battery.

David A. A series TD with CAMit 3300

[WaiexB22]

Thanks for the suggestions! Piano hinges sound like a great ide.

Bryan - do your nut plates interfere with the fuel tank? Did you have to pad them or protect them from the tank?

[Bryan Cotton]

Thanks for the suggestions! Piano hinges sound like a great ide.

Bryan - do your nut plates interfere with the fuel tank? Did you have to pad them or protect them from the tank?

In re-reading the thread, my battery box is lower than the tank. I need to look if I have anything installed up there. David and I both have A models though, so the tanks are different.

[WaiexB22]

Where I could, I riveted forward and sealed the back side of the rivets. This worked almost everywhere, except the battery box. For that I welded some stainless AN bolts to a piece of stainless plate, polished it smooth and sealed it up. It holds them in place for me to get a nut on the front and it is smooth against the tank. There is a small gap there where this sits nicely. Works great so far. Hopefully the tank is going back in for the last time this weekend.