Can someone please tell me how the D2 - D4 battery boxes are vented for the hydrogen gas? I have a box with no cover and I'm not sure how to fab a new cover until I am sure of the venting issue. Thanks for any help. John

from what i have seen, the battery boxes do not have any vents on them. it being a 6 volt system, very little is produced at all. when i redone my battery box, i made a solid lid and sides. anyone else have advice on this one?

I have made several battery boxes, the only vents are two 2" holes on the bottom (underside).

The boxes I've built I put two 1" holes in the bottom and then made the exit hole(s) for the cables slightly larger than was needed with rubber grommets in the exit hole(s) to keep the cables from rubbing.

The way batteries are sealed today there shouldn,t be gases escaping from them like the old batteries had.The couple holes in the bottom will let out any moisture and ventilate build up inside of it if there is any.

OK, thanks guys. I appreciate your input. Best regards, John

While we are on this topic, does anyone know who makes/sells replacement Battery Boxes (4B5222) and Covers (4B5079) that are exactly like the original Cat parts? While I haven't checked, I presume that Cat doesn't stock them anymore. My 1953 D46U needs both and I don't trust my fab. skills to make a really nice replica. With battery acid I figure someone must offer new replica boxes that are professionally done.

I also need the Battery Hold Down components; 4B5108 Plate x1, 4B8954 Support x1, 1F6694 Support x4, 8B1673 Plate x1, 8B1669 Pad x2 and 8B1670 Pad x4. Lid Cover Screws 4B5157 x2. These are all real long shots I'm guessing, and that most folks just use generic/modern battery hold down parts!

Any help is truly appreciated!

Fiberglass battery boxes for Cat, JD and others .. www.thomasproducts.com/batteryboxes.shtml

Perhaps Diamond Manufacturing would make a battery box? .. www.diamondattachments.com/index.php

Maybe Geo Logue would be interested in fabricating a battery box for you? .. www.logueind.com/catparts/

Here's an interesting Rio Tinto Coal (Australia)/WorkSafe Victoria, safety notice .. regarding Cat "low maintenance" batteries.
It is highly advisable to ensure that your "low maintenance" batteries are not suffering from blocked vents, or you can have problems with explosive gas buildup, creating battery explosions.
This appears to be important where high ambient temperatures are regularly ecountered in operating conditions, or where overcharging is common ..

www1.worksafe.vic.gov.au/vwa/vwa095-001....tery%20Explosion.pdf

Logue Ind. would be a good place to check with. Geo. is near Williamsport Pa. at Montoursville and makes some parts for older Cats and also has a museum there too. His Ph. is Geo. Logue (570) 368-2639 and address is Logue Ind. Inc. 120 S. Arch St. Montoursville Pa. 17754

I had to rebuild my D4 7U battery box and it wasn't anything like was described in the post above for the D2 with two vent holes in the bottom. I am sure that my battery box is a Cat battery box as it has an ampmeter mounted on it and it looks like it belongs there. The battery is suspended in a tray in the battery box. The suspended tray is hanging from belting. I would guess this arrangement is to prevent the battery from the impacts of Cat work doing damage to the battery. It was a real job cutting all the metal to rebuild the damaged inside of it. If it wasn't for the fact that my vintage D4 is 55 years old, I would have saved myself a bunch of work and just put a new fiberglass battery box on it. I glad that I kept it original