Replace Peavey TL-Five battery compartment

[Shortchevy]

I recently picked up a TL-5 first generation and knew before hand the battery compartment wasn't original. The compartment was covered with what may have been the original compartment frame and a piece of plastic screwed into place.

I have not been able to find a replacement that looks like it will fit. I did find a battery mounting clip at Stewmac.

Do any of you know of a source for replacement parts or a work around to have an actual closed compartment? The clip would work and make battery changes a lot easier than unscrewing four tiny screws. But a compartment that closes sure would look better.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Beej]

I'm not sure exactly the size of the actual routed space there, but you might be able to use an off-the-shelf battery box and then mount that to a piece of black pickguard material cut in the shape of the original box, mounted into the original screw holes. You could also use a thin aluminum plate to mount the battery box and paint it black. I'm guessing you've already tried Peavey?

 

[dwizum]

If I had that bass, I would route a shallow lip in a rectangle shape that covered the entire cavity, then drill a shallow circle in each of the 4 corners over the existing screw holes with a forstner bit. Then glue magnets into those holes and fit a cover that matched the rectangular recess out of black plastic. Cut a little finger notch into one corner of the plastic so you can get a finger under it to release the magnets. That would give you a very quick and easy to use door, no screws involved, and a nice clean simple look.

 

[Beej]

@dwizum 's got a good idea there. The original cover was mounted such that the battery cover hid the mounting screws, so it was just plain black on the back of the bass. The hidden magnet cover idea would be a similar vibe.

 

[Shortchevy]

26114722[/URL], member: 87992"]I'm guessing you've already tried Peavey?

Thank you for your idea. Including a ruler in the pic for scale would have been a good idea.

Peavey said they don’t have any replacement parts that old.

 

[Shortchevy]

If I had that bass, I would route a shallow lip in a rectangle shape that covered the entire cavity, then drill a shallow circle in each of the 4 corners over the existing screw holes with a forstner bit. Then glue magnets into those holes and fit a cover that matched the rectangular recess out of black plastic. Cut a little finger notch into one corner of the plastic so you can get a finger under it to release the magnets. That would give you a very quick and easy to use door, no screws involved, and a nice clean simple look.

Thanks for your idea.

That does sound like a solution that would give a nice look. I still may see about adding a battery clamp to hold the battery.

 

[Shortchevy]

Is there anything special I need to do when it comes to using a router and not harming the finish? Is there a certain kind of router bit?