Otter LRC CM4647296 comes home

[Jordan Baker]

Todays allotted time in the shop (kids are napping) I managed to get the original battery tray removed. It was held in by 4 carriage bolts. I tried removing the nuts but the bolts ended up spinning around in the wood. In the end I used a Zip disk to cut the heads off the bolts. Yes this did mean that I had to cut into the wood and produce copious amounts of smoke in the shop. However the wood was too far gone to use again. Lots of dry rot had taken place.

The wood shall provide a very nice pattern to make a new one. I should also be able to use all of the original metal parts. It’s a simple construction of three pieces of white oak with a tongue and groove slot. Two metal angled pieces along the long top sides. One the end there is two flat bars with the vertical retaining rod and counter sunk holes for screws. It’s refreshing to see true 1” thick pieces of wood.

The last picture shows just how much crud came loose from the tray’s removal. The area had been vacuumed prior to removal.

[David Dunlop]

Hi Jordan.

Is this tray for the wireless batteries, or the vehicular ones?



David

[Jordan Baker]

David,

The Otter used two 6v batteries in series to make 12v. The batteries were used to power both the vehicle and the radio. It also had an oversized generator and heavier wiring for the charging circuit to allow for a quicker charge back into the battery.

[Bob Carriere]

..... did the 270 GMC engine not come equipped with a PCV connection like later 216????

Just curious and anxious to see your rebuilt batt. box.

[Jordan Baker]

Hi Bob

Yes the engine came with the same style of PCV connection as the 216’s. The breather tube I fixed up is the inlet. It has an oil bath air filter on the top. It’s very similar to the standard CMP ones except that it has a screw top as well that acts as the filling spot for engine oil.

And…… back to the future….errr battery tray

The battery tray is all rebuilt. The original metal parts were all sandblasted and fitted onto the wood to ensure all is good. The new wood was made to the same measurements as the original including the tongue and grove joints. Now to try and figure out what the four small holes on the angle iron were for? The last mystery is what colour was everything?

[David Dunlop]

Jordan.

Assuming because these two batteries are dual purpose for vehicle and wireless, were they just the bare, rubber cased batteries held in place with a metal top frame and wing nuts on the two posts?

Could the small holes be to secure retaining chains for the two wing nuts? If so, perhaps both front and rear angle iron strips were drilled the same so installation was not critical.

David

[Jordan Baker]

David,

This is the only photograph I have come across showing the batteries. There does appear to be a cover over the top.

The stowage diagram only shows the batteries and a basic tray.

The Illustrated Spare Parts List CRAC-02 is quite limited on the illustrated parts.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Todays allotted time in the shop (kids are napping) I managed to get the original battery tray removed. It was held in by 4 carriage bolts. I tried removing the nuts but the bolts ended up spinning around in the wood. In the end I used a Zip disk to cut the heads off the bolts. Yes this did mean that I had to cut into the wood and produce copious amounts of smoke in the shop. However the wood was too far gone to use again. Lots of dry rot had taken place.

The wood shall provide a very nice pattern to make a new one. I should also be able to use all of the original metal parts. It’s a simple construction of three pieces of white oak with a tongue and groove slot. Two metal angled pieces along the long top sides. One the end there is two flat bars with the vertical retaining rod and counter sunk holes for screws. It’s refreshing to see true 1” thick pieces of wood.

The last picture shows just how much crud came loose from the tray’s removal. The area had been vacuumed prior to removal.

You may have progressed beyond the battery box by now. A thought, white oak flooring is readily available, comes prefinished, and just about every manufacturer makes it with tongue and groove edges. Like the world has been waiting for your installation.