Installing (drilling) 12V Battery Access Holes

[luckie]

I think some posts here (think Dan Baker Mark Boris and others) on macheforum on drilling access holes to your 12V battery were the first I recall reading back in early 2022. SO When I read this brand new thread which is eerily almost identical to those, I had to keep checking the dates on each post, “wait is this really new or three years old, does the OP know all this information is not new?”



https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...n-points-hv-disconnect-relay-for-safety.4107/

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[Maquis]

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. ??

That’s why I said “or similar”. ?

 

[Mike G]

I never have to remove caps anymore.

 

[Lonesparrow67]

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.

I was just thinking of doing this myself, glad to hear it worked out ok for you, lol....

Excuse my ignorance, lol, but what do you mean by "use the template version?"

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I was just thinking of doing this myself, glad to hear it worked out ok for you, lol....

Excuse my ignorance, lol, but what do you mean by "use the template version?"

I’ll have to dig through the various threads on this subject. But one of them had a printable template to line up where the holes should go. Honestly though it’s not that hard to remove the two covers and measure.

 

[Lonesparrow67]

I’ll have to dig through the various threads on this subject. But one of them had a printable template to line up where the holes should go. Honestly though it’s not that hard to remove the two covers and measure.

Sounds good, I'll take a look through the prior posts...

 

[glenthompson]

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

Try replacing the battery in a NA model Miata. The MME is easy in comaprison.

 

[doogie63]

Try replacing the battery in a NA model Miata. The MME is easy in comaprison.

I googled it and it does seem that hard at all. Plus easy to get the battery. Right up front.

 

[glenthompson]

I googled it and it does seem that hard at all. Plus easy to get the battery. Right up front.

Not on the first generation car. Battery is buried under trunk. It was later moved up front.

 

[Snakebitten]

Yeah, I don't think you googled NA Miata. ?

It's not horrible to get to, but I completely understand the point.
But I also don't think the Mach-E battery is nearly the bear it seems to have earned the reputation as.

There are plenty of modern vehicles with more complicated oil change procedures than swapping out a Mach-E battery. And that has to be done far more frequently.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I’ll have to dig through the various threads on this subject. But one of them had a printable template to line up where the holes should go. Honestly though it’s not that hard to remove the two covers and measure.

I second using the template. It positions the holes slightly off center of terminals but in a better position to see the -/+ signs. This is the second Mach-e that I do this to and it turned out perfect. You can hardly tell that holes exist. The holes are 2.5” and wide enough to connect the charger clamps and shut the hood (which is important to me cause I park in a high rise building garage).

here’s the link to the template:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...point-access-battery-access.10976/post-290201

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I second using the template. It positions the holes slightly off center of terminals but in a better position to see the -/+ signs. This is the second Mach-e that I do this to and it turned out perfect. You can hardly tell that holes exist. The holes are 2.5” and wide enough to connect the charger clamps and shut the hood (which is important to me cause I park in a high rise building garage).

here’s the link to the template:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...point-access-battery-access.10976/post-290201

Thanks Steve. That’s the one I used. Yes, they’re slightly off center but they work out well for the reasons you’ve stated.

The key to drilling the holes without removing the panels is to be methodical and very gentle. Center punch, drill a pilot hole with no more than extremely light pressure and the same for the hole saw. A light deburring and you’re done in less than 10 minutes.

 

[shelnian]

I notice the Ford techs use the LVB access holes I installed during the 10K mile checks. Glad it makes their job easier. I didn't remove the panel when I cut my holes. I drilled 2 1/2" holes and used these seals.

 

[dtbaker61]

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 ???

you will be fine without the clip.... it's probably sitting in the belly pan

 

[dtbaker61]

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 ???

BTW, you REALLY should add a third hole over the HV disconnect now that you have the process down.

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