Installing (drilling) 12V Battery Access Holes

Well I finally got around to drilling access holes for my 12V battery access terminals. Having previously installed a BT battery monitor on the 12V battery, I had already learned how to remove the plastic covers by watching this totally unrealistic YouTube video (it's just a short clip to show how unrealistic it is, it's not the full video).

So I forged ahead with cover removals but of course this time it didn't go as well...I broke one of the end clips on the top cover. I not only irretrievably lost the clip down its mating hole but I tore the clip mount all to shreds. (photos) Maybe I unknowingly damaged/weakened it during prior removal? Welp, nothing I could do about it, so...

Continuing on I cut out 2-inch holes directly over each remote battery terminal (photos) and plugged them with these covers from Amazon. The color and texture of the plugs look like an exact match to the color/texture of the cover they're installed on, and they fit well and hold firm but are easy to remove.

Finishing up, I re-installed the top cover back in place without the missing clip, it seems OK. My only concern is I don't know what's down there and I just hope that loose clip doesn't find its way into some module or ???

Nice job
I did it recently following this very comprehensive video.


It goes through to remove the frunk, but it shows the panel removal steps and warnings about breaking and losing those clips.

I found 2 inch pvc caps at HD for 67 cents, painted them black and red, and used them as the cover.

I've been thinking of installing this up inside my left-front wheel well... Remote Power Outlet/Battery Jumper Box - Black – Eddie Motorsports

HughJazzol said:

Nice job
I did it recently following this very comprehensive video.


It goes through to remove the frunk, but it shows the panel removal steps and warnings about breaking and losing those clips.

I found 2 inch pvc caps at HD for 67 cents, painted them black and red, and used them as the cover.

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Good video, I wish I'd seen it before removing those covers, he gives great advice about pulling straight up and close to the clip. When clips are stubborn and don't want to release it always feels to me like I'm going to break something if I pull harder. Turns out I was right about that once! ?

Ahlarict said:

I've been thinking of installing this up inside my left-front wheel well... Remote Power Outlet/Battery Jumper Box - Black – Eddie Motorsports

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I thought long and hard about putting mine in the wheel well and decided against it for ease of access reasons since the main goal was for FDRS updates. It could be installed in the wheel well but it's inconvenient at best. ?‍?

HuntingPudel said:

I thought long and hard about putting mine in the wheel well and decided against it for ease of access reasons since the main goal was for FDRS updates. It could be installed in the wheel well but it's inconvenient at best. ?‍?

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I'm interested to see how you connected this underneath. Do you have installation photos/videos you could share?

kamorela said:

I'm interested to see how you connected this underneath. Do you have installation photos/videos you could share?

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Write-up is in my Frunk Tub Removed thread. ??

I keep meaning to do this, because my mother is always killing the 12v battery in her ICE car.

dabois89 said:

I keep meaning to do this, because my mother is always killing the 12v battery in her ICE car.

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There are several threads on cutting access holes for the 12v besides this one. It's not all that hard to do.

Ahlarict said:

I've been thinking of installing this up inside my left-front wheel well... Remote Power Outlet/Battery Jumper Box - Black – Eddie Motorsports

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I believe @markboris installed this or similar in the charge port area.

Maquis said:

I believe @markboris installed this or similar in the charge port area.

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Naah, that’s too big to install in the charge port area. Mark installed one of these for his low current battery maintainer. ??



EDIT: I should note that I have been a lazy dog and this thing is just sitting around here. ??

Kamuelaflyer said:

There are several threads on cutting access holes for the 12v besides this one. It's not all that hard to do.

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Yes i know its not hard.

dabois89 said:

Yes i know its not hard.

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FWIW, I drilled mine rather carefully and lightly without removing the covers. Use the template version, center punch, pilot hole and hole saw. The latter two with extremely light pressure.

Once removed, a little silicone grease on the clips makes the next time much easier. ?

Still one of the dumbest designs for access to a car battery.