trunk bag dimensions for battery packs

[curious]

I am looking for an economical trunk bag for two battery packs (will used on a generic hardtail rack). LBSs I've checked have very limited selection and online places do not always specify internal dimensions. Two packs that I want to use require 13"x5.5"x5.5" internal bag space. Those of you using trunk bags - could you please publish main compartment internal dimensions in this thread so others (including myself) could make qualified choice.

BTW my main candidate so far is this one:
http://tinyurl.com/yuo5m5

 

[deardancer3]

Item No. » NA-BRT Nashbar:
8 INCHES TALL, 12 INCHES LONG, AND 6 INCHES WIDE
$20/ free s/h on over $50 now

It seems every time i change battery dimensions, I get a 2nd job looking for battery enclosures, so I feel for you. wife looks for shoes, I look for battery bags. No camera store, discount or department store, bike shop, H/w store, goes un-inspected.

different dimensions, but I did find a nice NIMH bag at a local camera store, and $10. (13x 8 x 3 app.) then the tie downs; I now use the monster velcro straps from my dollar store and a piece of aluminum channel over the bag held down by long bolt at each end attached to the rack.

have been looking at topeaks quick disconnect rack system, wondering if i can emulat it for cheap.

2nd job, more time on this than on the electrical parts.

dick

 

[EMF]

I don't know what you mean by economical, but I have a similar dimension for my packs @ 13 inches. I finally gave up on bike bags as they are simply too small for my needs and started researching motorcycle luggage. I finally got a Chase-Harper motorcycle tank bag that cost like 80 bucks. But it is extremely high quality with plastic inserts that are very tough and help maintain the shape of the bag. It holds 6 Dewalts in their cases along with my Crystalyte controller. I also just bought the hard shell bike helmet box mentioned in a thread here ( ~30 dollars ) that is very nice, but not as tall. I think I can get it to work if I get the controller relocated on my bike. It's about 13 inches long.

This is the Chase Harper site, you can google around for the best price as a lot of places sell the product.

http://www.chaseharper.com/TankBags/TankBags.htm

Here is a link at Amazon for the hard shell I just got:

http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Whee-Rear-Bike-Carrier/dp/B000GTRJCM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1205421429&sr=8-1

 

[iberkt]

You could get a plastic battery box like this one (Yes I know, they are made for lead acid car batteries but the dimensions are right and it is not too expensive).

http://www.batterymart.com/p-group-size-27-31-battery-box.html

Your Price: $9.95
Features:
Polypropylene construction
Impervious to battery acid and gasoline
Vented design allows dangerous vapors to escape
Includes a heavy-duty battery box tie down kit
Inside Dimensions: Length 13 1/2" x Width 7 1/4" x Height 8 1/2"
Outside Dimensions: Length 16 1/2" x Width 8 3/4" x Height 10 1/2

 

[mvadventure]

Somewhere on this site I've posted a picture of what I"m using but lacing time, talent and ambition I don't know where it is. However having faced your problem and having looked until I was blue, bored and desperate I finally looked outside the box and found an insulated NASCAR driver cooler at the local Walmart that not only holds my battery perfectly but even has a flap on the top that I assume was intended to get drinks out without having to open the whole thing. This stores my garage door opener and the charging outlet for the battery. A little compartment on the side helps hide all the wires from the controller.

Since it's a soft pack I made a hard bottom that fits tightly on the inside, drilled a few holes and used plastic ties to fasten it to my rack. Works great, is stealthy and is waterproof. It was about eight or nine dollars and a hour or so to get everything just right.

 

[curious]

Thanks everyone for replies. I visited yet another LBS and looked at trek bags - no luck either, very close but no go - too short.
I am going to take a chance and order the delta bag (link in my first post). If that does not work either time for some DIY. Have to admit - my first bike conversion takes much more time that I initially thought...

 

[monster]

look for leather motor cycle panniers. in my experience canvas bags are way better than plastic.

 

[Rassy]

Like Mike, I have settled on this soft cooler that I found at Wal-Mart today. I wanted a hard plastic, but could not find anything to fit my new 48V 20AH battery (6" X 7" X 8"). I have some scraps of 1/8" hardboard and plan to make an outer cover over the duct tape, probably padded with bubble wrap or foam. There will still be some room for wires in the lower part, and switches, etc. in the upper compartment.

 

[curious]

Thanks everyone for replies. I visited yet another LBS and looked at trek bags - no luck either, very close but no go - too short.
I am going to take a chance and order the delta bag (link in my first post). If that does not work either time for some DIY. Have to admit - my first bike conversion takes much more time that I initially thought...

The delta bag that I've got is too small - I don't know how the manufacturer measured the bag but the numbers provided are certainly wrong.
One piece of advice for those building dewalt based packs with an intention to put them in a trunk bag. Make the packs no bigger than 5P. The 5P stacked along short side will fit nicely in the majority of the trunk bags which are typically 11-12" long. My packs are 6P each and the length of the pack is about 13" - major PITA...

BTW I am somewhat hesitant using cooler bag - too much thermal insulation.

 

[Bill Best]

I almost found the perfect bag.. It's just needs to be .75" taller!

L 11 3/4" x W 6 1/8" x H 4"

I love the hole made specifically for wires and the fact that it is made to hold heavy batteries.

I get the feeling that the zipper on the standard rack bags will rip with all the weight.

Here is the battery I'm trying to find a bag for.. in case anyone here has a good suggestion.