xflowgolf
xflowgolf Dork
10/17/16 2:08 p.m.

After a trunk battery relocation, I am overthinking my dillema. I now have a 1/0 gauge cable running up the passenger floor board, and I don't want it to flop around.

There's not going to be carpet to tuck it under. Running sheetmetal screws through insulated 1/2 loops seems easiest, but is that really the right way? Would self tappers work loose over time?

Running through bolts would be a pain, and I wouldn't want to reach under the car to secure a bunch of blind bolt/nuts.

then I started thinking should I be welding in studs? That seems excessive.

Maybe I should be drilling in some kind of nutsert into the floor?

ahhh. What say GRM?

Huckleberry
Huckleberry MegaDork
10/17/16 2:17 p.m.

In my race car, I did self tappers exactly as you describe. It was fine.

trucke
trucke Dork
10/17/16 2:18 p.m.

Just kidding!

Zip ties work or the fasteners in your post. You just want to ensure the cable stays out of the way and does not get damaged. I used the cable ties shown in your post to existing bolts in the car.

DukeOfUndersteer
DukeOfUndersteer UltimaDork
10/17/16 2:22 p.m.

I would use these "adhesive zip tie mounts"

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
10/17/16 2:45 p.m.

An alternative to self tappers are riv-nuts. I got my tool and hardware at HF.

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/17/16 2:59 p.m.
DukeOfUndersteer wrote: I would use these "adhesive zip tie mounts"

+1. Self-tapping screws, or anything that pierces factory sheet-metal really, is a seed for rust.

jimbbski
jimbbski Dork
10/17/16 3:00 p.m.

I've used pop rivets. If the item is not going to be moved then rivets. I have used screws but if the floor is just one layer of steel then the screws will stick out below the car. When you go to work on the car from below you can end up catching yourself on the end of the screw. Pop rivets do not have this problem.

stuart in mn
stuart in mn UltimaDork
10/17/16 3:00 p.m.
DukeOfUndersteer wrote: I would use these "adhesive zip tie mounts"

Those things typically need a perfectly flat and perfectly clean surface to adhere to, both of which may not be available on a floorboard. I'd go with something screwed or bolted down.

Hal
Hal UltraDork
10/17/16 3:08 p.m.
alfadriver wrote: An alternative to self tappers are riv-nuts. I got my tool and hardware at HF.

Best idea, IMO. Avoids the sharp points of self-tapping screws and a shot of some rustproofing/paint top and bottom will avoid the rust problem.

stafford1500
stafford1500 GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/17/16 3:08 p.m.

Rivet the adel clamps down to the floor, for permanent install.
If you want/need non-permanent then epoxy the zip tie mounts to the floor.

For metal zip tie mounts look up TC105 (made by Thomas&Betts). These are typically used in race cars as they have a rivet hole and can be epoxied in place.

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
10/17/16 3:10 p.m.

Magnetic cable tie mounts can also be used if you don't want to drill/pierce the metal.

https://www.amazon.com/Rack-Tiers-RM115BK-Magnetic-Cable/dp/B0127WFYPO

Expensive but they are strong.

codrus
codrus GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/17/16 4:28 p.m.
Hal wrote:
alfadriver wrote: An alternative to self tappers are riv-nuts. I got my tool and hardware at HF.
Best idea, IMO. Avoids the sharp points of self-tapping screws and a shot of some rustproofing/paint top and bottom will avoid the rust problem.

+1. This is the right idea.

DukeOfUndersteer
DukeOfUndersteer UltimaDork
10/17/16 5:31 p.m.
stafford1500 wrote: Rivet the adel clamps down to the floor, for permanent install. If you want/need non-permanent then epoxy the zip tie mounts to the floor. For metal zip tie mounts look up TC105 (made by Thomas&Betts). These are typically used in race cars as they have a rivet hole and can be epoxied in place.

We used these on the McLaren 650S GT3. Worked great

NordicSaab
NordicSaab HalfDork
10/17/16 5:51 p.m.
codrus wrote:
Hal wrote:
alfadriver wrote: An alternative to self tappers are riv-nuts. I got my tool and hardware at HF.
Best idea, IMO. Avoids the sharp points of self-tapping screws and a shot of some rustproofing/paint top and bottom will avoid the rust problem.
+1. This is the right idea.

Another +1. Nut-sert is one of my favorite tools

hhaase
hhaase Reader
10/17/16 9:26 p.m.

It's 1/0, You're not overthinking it. Insulated aerospace clamps like you're already looking at, with well installed rivnuts, and you'll never worry again.

Battery and battery cables are right up there with brakes, steering, and fuel on my "don't cut corners" list.

Stefan (Not Bruce)
Stefan (Not Bruce) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/17/16 9:38 p.m.

There's also adhesive backed heavy duty Velcro.

xflowgolf
xflowgolf Dork
10/18/16 2:22 p.m.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! way more than I expected. lots of good options.

alfadriver wrote: An alternative to self tappers are riv-nuts. I got my tool and hardware at HF.

I will look into this. I like that idea.

stafford1500 wrote: Rivet the adel clamps down to the floor, for permanent install. If you want/need non-permanent then epoxy the zip tie mounts to the floor. For metal zip tie mounts look up TC105 (made by Thomas&Betts). These are typically used in race cars as they have a rivet hole and can be epoxied in place.

OOh. those are pretty slick. I like that too.

failboat
failboat UberDork
10/18/16 2:27 p.m.

^^^ was just thinking those with some double sided 3m mounting tape would be a good non permanent but very strongly mounted solution.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Associate Editor
10/18/16 2:33 p.m.

Riv-nuts are your answer here. I got my kit on Amazon.

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
10/18/16 2:49 p.m.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/hand-riveters/45-piece-threaded-insert-riveter-kit-1210.html

This is the one I got, and a few extra boxes of the inserts. You go through them pretty fast, as they are fun to have.

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