CRT.5 Battery Tray

[FG101C]

Anybody out there making and selling a battery tray for the CRT.5?

Thanks.

[jnev]

I don't think anyone does sell one. Most people make it themselves, and it is actually very simple after you make your first one. Just take a look around the forum at the conversions and at how the battery is mounted. The most common materials is aluminum and carbon fiber. Others are used, they are just not as common as these two.

[FG101C]

Where are most people getting the aluminum? I've looked at Home Depot and some other hardware stores and can't seem to find it.

[BrianG]

Even if Home Depot/Menards/Lowes had the right size, it is of a lower grade and won't be as strong and will stress-crack when bent. IIRC, theirs in 2032 Al. I would shoot for nothing less than 6061-T6 Al.

Onlinemetals.com or McMastercarr.com are good places to go.

The lesser quality stuff is OK for things like heatsinks/heatspreaders, but not for structural uses where you want as much strength/rigidity yet least weight as possible.

[Mailman]

You can also find it on ebay. Thats where I got mine from. I got (4) 3/32" (4) 3/16" and (3) 1/8" -all 7" x 10" sheets for $25 shipped. All of them are 6061-T6 .

[MetalMan]

I buy my aluminum from Speedy Metals on Ebay. 1/8" thick x 6" wide x 4' long pieces of 6061-T6 aluminum are about $21 shipped. I've been using that stuff from them for a while, as well as 1/4" thick 6061-T6 pieces, all with excellent results.

[FG101C]

Ok, thanks for the replies, I did'nt even think to check ebay. My next question is how do you go about bending it, heat? Thanks again.

[Mailman]

A vise and some elbow grease. Or clamp it between a couple pieces of wood and of course - elbow grease.

[BrianG]

A vice and a hammer is what I use. :)

Doesn't hurt to heat it up with a heatgun - makes bends less prone to stress cracks. Also, thinner material helps to avoid stress cracks too...

[lincpimp]

I am guessing that 6061 t6 will bend easier and with less chance of cracking than the sh** home depot al?

[MetalMan]

Vice and pliers to bend 1/8" thick 6061-T6 for me, although it can be rather difficult.

The Home Depot stuff shouldn't be too difficult to bend, and should bend well, but of course it won't hold that bend too well since it's a weaker aluminum.

[FG101C]

Found some 6061 at an ACE here in town. Picked up some Integy aluminum servo mounts, cut the aluminum to fit the battery, drilled and countersunk holes for all the screws and battery strap screws. It looks good and feels real solid, now to find that foam tape with stickum on one side to give a little protection to the battery.