As my cars have barely turned a wheel since the lockdown, I've been using a battery maintenance charger to top the batteries off, but probably not as often as I should.
I'd like to fit the charger in a weatherproof enclosure near the cars so I do it more often, and because I need to select different modes for the AGM and "normal" batteries I need to be able to access the charger easily. As the charger was about £100 I'd also like to be able to lock it away from casual thieves.
I've previously used two types of outdoor plastic enclosure, one where the lid is screwed into place (too much effort to access the charger controls) and one where the lid clips down and there is a plastic hoop to put a padlock through (any penknife could slice through the hoop, so doesn't even stop casual thieves pinching the charger).
I saw on TLC there are metal IP65 enclosures that user a locker-type lock - whilst this will keep the weather out, will it quickly end up looking rusty and horrible? This sort https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CMSB302015.html
Also, any recommendations on how to modify it so it can be locked with or without a cable dangling out the bottom? My immediate thought was to cut a half-round hole and use half a 20mm grommet but there must be a more elegant solution that replicates the soft cable-entry gaskets that the plastic boxes have.
Any other suggestions gratefully received. Box needs to be approx 20cm x 30cm x 10cm to house the charger and bundled-up cables.
I'd like to fit the charger in a weatherproof enclosure near the cars so I do it more often, and because I need to select different modes for the AGM and "normal" batteries I need to be able to access the charger easily. As the charger was about £100 I'd also like to be able to lock it away from casual thieves.
I've previously used two types of outdoor plastic enclosure, one where the lid is screwed into place (too much effort to access the charger controls) and one where the lid clips down and there is a plastic hoop to put a padlock through (any penknife could slice through the hoop, so doesn't even stop casual thieves pinching the charger).
I saw on TLC there are metal IP65 enclosures that user a locker-type lock - whilst this will keep the weather out, will it quickly end up looking rusty and horrible? This sort https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CMSB302015.html
Also, any recommendations on how to modify it so it can be locked with or without a cable dangling out the bottom? My immediate thought was to cut a half-round hole and use half a 20mm grommet but there must be a more elegant solution that replicates the soft cable-entry gaskets that the plastic boxes have.
Any other suggestions gratefully received. Box needs to be approx 20cm x 30cm x 10cm to house the charger and bundled-up cables.