39 replies to this topic

[Fhrx]

For those among you who own a Stinger, Odyssey or EFX battery; you'll appreciate that they're not only very hard to successfully clamp down securely but also that the few custom designed clamps available on the market tend to have an incongruous asking price. To that end; we decided to do something about this problem rather than bleat about it all day.





Now because we just happen to have a CNC router / mill at our fingertips here, we tend to machine up all matter of things from clamps and racks to speaker baffles and amplifier cable plates. So the other day when boredom was threatening to take us over we decided to knock up a basic clamp design to combat the ever shifting battery issue.







Now this is where you guys come in - can I please get people's opinions on a number of facets regarding their design. Firstly; material - the one pictured is 6061 aluminium. We could probably make them out of anything from Perspex, aluminium or stainless to more exotic materials such as Inconel, rhodium or even gold if people wanted them (and possessed the necessary fiscal fortitude). Second is the basic shape - what edge profiling, overall shape and radii looks good? Thirdly; we've just engraved our logo on there as an example. What would you have on yours? Your name? The car's branding? The stereo system's branding? The battery's branding or just some technical or victorian'esq detailing such as lines or figures? Please feel welcome to contact us with your suggestions.

Edited by Fhrx, 24 October 2011 - 04:48 PM.

[TEGBOY]

I like very much. Could they be made to suit Optimas?? I would take one!

[Fhrx]

I like very much. Could they be made to suit Optimas?? I would take one!

Yeah sure they could. We machine them from scratch so in theory we could make them to cover just about any cell no matter the dimensions.

[shizzle]

They look nice and chunky, I must say. The idea of alum on the platic battery would worry me, as I always like to have some rubber between the clamp and the battery. Would it not be possible (if you deem it a good idea) to mill a recess in the bottom of the clamp, and put a piece of insertion rubber? The recess could be 5mm or so away from the side, and a few mm deep, so only 3-4mm of the insertion ruber sticks out. It would still maintain the overall look but give a nice mating surface.

Only an idea

[Gozza]

It looks great! Would be interested to see how a perspex one would turn out. The size looks good, maybe a bit thinner if a customer didn't want any writing on it. Maybe one for an Optima might have a more rounded look to suit the looks of the battery a bit more. I wonder if it would be possible to cut a hole for a voltmeter kind of thing for those who like that sort of stuff?

Like this but with the lip at the front, possibly recessed in. I could imagine it might be a little difficult though?

Edited by Gozza, 24 October 2011 - 09:17 PM.

[SSSpoosah]

Depending on my finances at the time that looks like a tasty addition to my upcoming re-tune!

I think they are great Marty. Just something to set it all off


1.I think the aluminium finish looks good, and is probably a good mix between cost and style

2. I like the shape as is. But I think different engravings would suit different shapes

3. I'd personally love to have an FHRX branded one. It provides you guys with a possible means of advertising when the bonnet is open. And I've always thought the shop logo was very flash. However, there will always be a number of people who would want their name, the car's name, custom number plates etc on it

Edited by SSSpoosah, 24 October 2011 - 10:33 PM.

[268669♫]

Looks great Marty,
I'd make a heap of the one you pictured with your logo on it for general use and at a set price, then have custom ones cost a bit extra.
Ant

[SSSpoosah]

Great idea Ant.

I know they knocked up a new holder for me when they put my odyssey in. So the FHRX one could replace that for, as you said, general purpose stuff. I think it'd be good advertising for the shop, given that in the majority of installs most of the amazing work they do is hidden behind door trims or underneath carpet. That holder represents an attention to detail and quality workmanship- which is really what FHRX is about

[TEGBOY]

Looks great Marty,
I'd make a heap of the one you pictured with your logo on it for general use and at a set price, then have custom ones cost a bit extra.
Ant

Agreed, I would take one with the FHRX one

[bradass]

+1 for optima d34 + d31

beats the hell out of this:

[Fhrx]

The idea of alum on the platic battery would worry me, as I always like to have some rubber between the clamp and the battery. Would it not be possible (if you deem it a good idea) to mill a recess in the bottom of the clamp, and put a piece of insertion rubber? The recess could be 5mm or so away from the side, and a few mm deep, so only 3-4mm of the insertion ruber sticks out. It would still maintain the overall look but give a nice mating surface.

I agree shizzle - to that end we usually already do insert a strip of 3mm DynaLiner on the underside to assist with friction.

[Fhrx]

I'd personally love to have an FHRX branded one. It provides you guys with a possible means of advertising when the bonnet is open. And I've always thought the shop logo was very flash. However, there will always be a number of people who would want their name, the car's name, custom number plates etc on it

I must confess that whilst I agree it's tremendous advertising, I'm just not that much of a fan of shops having their name all over customers cars (their own cars sure but not customers cars). Call me weird but having the shops name engraved on an install somewhere just comes off as a little unprofessional looking. I feel the same way about how car dealers put their names on number plate surrounds or how our local car dealer here (Tynans) actually put a small badge beneath the cars official badge - it's a tad insulting after you've just outlaid such a large amount.

However if the customer wants our name – who am I to argue!?

[SSSpoosah]

Agreed, I would take one with the FHRX one

Group buy on FHRX battery clamps!

[Fhrx]

I'd make a heap of the one you pictured with your logo on it for general use and at a set price, then have custom ones cost a bit extra.

Asking price is still one thing we’ve yet to determine. Whilst sadly we cannot just give them away, at the same time we need to ensure we don't price ourselves out of the ballpark either.

Edited by Fhrx, 25 October 2011 - 04:04 PM.

[SSSpoosah]

I must confess that whilst I agree it's tremendous advertising, I'm just not that much of a fan of shops having their name all over customers cars (their own cars sure but not customers cars). Call me weird but having the shops name engraved on an install somewhere just comes off as a little unprofessional looking. I feel the same way about how car dealers put their names on number plate surrounds or how our local car dealer here (Tynans) actually put a small badge beneath the cars official badge - it's a tad insulting after you've just outlaid such a large amount.

However if the customer wants our name – who am I to argue!?

I understand where you are coming from Marty. And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should start making FHRX the new 2sus. And if I find an FHRX badge underneath my Nissan one the next time I come in I'll be annoyed

But, as one of your customers (and to this end, I think all of your customers on here would agree) I'd be proud to have one of those gracing my car. As long as the customer agrees, I think its a nice little signature piece. A calling card as such. I don't think anyone would view it as shameless self promotion, and it's so subtle as to not be tacky. It's a very little thing after all, and it looks great in its own right. I think it's a nice little finishing touch.

Edited by SSSpoosah, 25 October 2011 - 04:07 PM.

[Fhrx]

What about the general overall shape? I was thinking of perhaps also offering a more rounded version with circular ends and radii instead of the forty-five degree angles pictured above?

[268669♫]

The rounded shape would look good on the optima's but I guess it would also be based on the engine bay interior, surrounding plastic shapes etc.

Ant

[SSSpoosah]

I'm a fan of the current angles. However, I think the more rounded ones may look better on the optima batteries for example. They may match the shape of the battery a bit better?

edit: too fast Ant

Edited by SSSpoosah, 25 October 2011 - 04:11 PM.

[Fhrx]

Well knock up a few more basic shapes, upon which I'll post up some more photos for your consideration.

[SSSpoosah]

I'd love to see a perspex one too, if possible

[Fhrx]

I'd love to see a perspex one too, if possible

Though the problem with Perspex is unless we make it over half an inch thick, it'll bend like a banana as soon as it's done up.

Edited by Fhrx, 25 October 2011 - 07:07 PM.

[TERRA Operative]

Absorbed power sizing? I got a GT12-75C that will need clamping down soon.

[SSSpoosah]

Though the problem with Perspex is unless we make it over half an inch thick, it'll bend like a banana as soon as it's done up.

That's fine Marty, it's ok I think I prefer the aluminium anyway

Look forward to seeing what other shapes you come up with

[Fhrx]

One of these?

http://absorbedpower...df/GT12-75C.pdf

Sure.

[peaandham]

Marty, just a question as a fellow D34 Owner, will the bar have lips on the underside that sit on the sides of the battery to prevent them from shifting even more so?

I really like the factory one you guys have made up, i would like to have my number plate or brand of battery engraved on there.

Just spit balling here but what would you think about some recessed White LED Strips on the sides of the clamp?

Edit: Would I be right in assuming the a copper one would cost an arm and a leg in comparison? Im just thinking that some people (not myself) may enjoy the rustic look of the copper.

Cheers
Luke.

Edited by peaandham, 25 October 2011 - 08:28 PM.

[Fhrx]

Marty, just a question as a fellow D34 Owner, will the bar have lips on the underside that sit on the sides of the battery to prevent them from shifting even more so?

We have numerous flavours of welding machines at our fingertips here so yes; we can pretty much add on any additional shapes / brackets you might require.

Just spit balling here but what would you think about some recessed White LED Strips on the sides of the clamp?

We did consider lighting them for effect but the fact the entire clamp is constructed from metal could cause an issue if a strip or lighting cable were to wear out over the years?

Edit: Would I be right in assuming the a copper one would cost an arm and a leg in comparison? Im just thinking that some people (not myself) may enjoy the rustic look of the copper.

Remember we're already using quite a high grade of alloy for them so a copper one wouldn't be that much more I wouldn't have thought. Truth be known I'm hanging to make a solid gold one! *cough* Henry? *cough*

Edited by Fhrx, 26 October 2011 - 09:33 AM.

[KSR]

Marty, just a question as a fellow D34 Owner, will the bar have lips on the underside that sit on the sides of the battery to prevent them from shifting even more so?

Just furthering this, I'd love to see some kind of saddle profile to eliminate/reduce any battery shifting, especially when the car is thrown round a little *cough* I mean driven sensibly...

And regarding the copper bar, now that would look classy, not rustic Luke!!!

[fnlow]

Edit: Would I be right in assuming the a copper one would cost an arm and a leg in comparison? Im just thinking that some people (not myself) may enjoy the rustic look of the copper.

Cheers
Luke.

Copper to match a copper amp collection would look sweet.

Copper:




PS clamps look good Marty. I like the FHRX logo on there

Edited by fnlow, 27 October 2011 - 09:08 AM.

[Fhrx]

And I'm spent...

[muzzy66]

I was actually going to mention rounding off the edges. The squared off edges look great in the centre, but smoothed off 'wings' I think may look a little more elegant. Just one more option to leave up to customer choice I suppose, as either way would look nice!

Regarding the engraving, I think having something context specific (like say, an Alfa logo in my case) could look nice, but at the same time I actually wouldn't mind at all having an FHRX logo on there. Much like having an "FHRX" sticker on the back window, I think many customers would be proud to let the world know that they had their install done at FHRX Studios - especially since it's something that only fellow car audio enthusiasts would really recognise. Telling the world you bought your car at 'dodgy Joe's used cars' however, maybe not so much!

Many prestige car company's will put a build plate on their vehicles with something like "Hand built by Bentley", and think most of their customers would appreciate something like that as an expression of pride rather, rather then seeing it as shameless advertising.

Edited by muzzy66, 27 October 2011 - 08:22 PM.