Footwell Electrics

[Nuggs]

Hi Folks

Poking around in the passenger footwell this weekend, I noticed that all the wires which sit on top of the battery sit under two pipes which are connected to the cooling system and which consequently get very hot.

I have a flap of carpet which comes up and over covering the battery and the other wires just sit on top of that. Is that right? Should the wires be covered also? If they are supposed to just sit there like that, is there any merit in lagging the cooling pipes to try to keep some of the heat away from the wiring?



TIA

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

On the few times I've ventured into the dark place, I've found spaghetti & the like just laying casually about. I've always left well alone for fear of disturbing summat.

[Nuggs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

On the few times I've ventured into the dark place, I've found spaghetti & the like just laying casually about. I've always left well alone for fear of disturbing summat.

Cheers 2SB, I just thought it was odd that the spaghetti lies beneath two significant heat sources. Just seems to be asking for trouble...

[victormeldrew]

Yup, that's how they are. Certainly the heat there is enough to damage the ECU if you put it back there by mistake (as someone found recently), but I'm not sure about the wiring. Might be worth slipping a piece of pipe insulation over the heater pipes, but to be honest they're all like that, sir!, and it doesn't seem to cause any problems.

[sam gamgee]

Try placing a sheet of heat resistant stuff between these cables and pipes/battery. Does it for me.

Dave.

Edited by sam gamgee on Tuesday 13th June 07:25

[Nuggs]

sam gamgee said:

Try placing a sheet of heat resistant stuff between these cables and pipes/battery.

Thanks, seems like a good idea, although don't some heat shields use metal in their construction? If so, I'd be worried about causing a short.

I think I'll try lagging the cooling pipes - can anyone recommend any lagging material and ties/clips?

[victormeldrew]

Most DIY places will have foam insulation which is a tube with a split down one side which should do the job nicely. Standard TVR fasteners will hold them in place (cable ties )

[Nuggs]

victormeldrew said:

Most DIY places will have foam insulation which is a tube with a split down one side which should do the job nicely. Standard TVR fasteners will hold them in place (cable ties )

Are you sure they're good enough to withstand the heat?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

How old is the car, and has the said situation ever given any bother? If multiple years & no respectively I'd leave well alone.

Disclaimer: Do not assume writer knows what he is talking about.

Edited by 2 sMoKiN bArReLs on Tuesday 13th June 22:28

[Nuggs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Disclaimer: Do not assume writer knows what he is talking about.

Don't worry. Never do.

[V8 Kieran]

There is room for the ECU to slide down the side of the battery box - gets some of the components away from the heat.

[that daddy]

if your that bothered about heat on those electrics,buy a plumbers soldering mat & cable tie round loom heat & fire resisant and no metal in its construction.

[victormeldrew]

Nuggs said:

victormeldrew said:

Most DIY places will have foam insulation which is a tube with a split down one side which should do the job nicely. Standard TVR fasteners will hold them in place (cable ties )

Are you sure they're good enough to withstand the heat?

At least one person seems to think so (apart from me) - www.chimaerapages.com/resources_lagging.php

Co-incidence, or a submission to chimaerapages from you Nuggs?

[chassis 33]

I think Alex asked about it a few weeks back on a different thread.

Regards
Iain

[theaxe]

Just noticed this thread... I've had the lagging in place for about 1,000 miles now (including a hot week in France) and it's still okay, in fact the photos on ChimaeraPages were taken after the 1,000 miles.

Can't really gauge the benefit but it makes me feel better.

[Cider Andy]

Nuggs said:

victormeldrew said:

Most DIY places will have foam insulation which is a tube with a split down one side which should do the job nicely. Standard TVR fasteners will hold them in place (cable ties )

Are you sure they're good enough to withstand the heat?

They're designed for insulating 15mm copper tube, as used in domestic central heating systems, so they should be fine, as both operate at around the same temperature.

Mine has some form of matting (looks like it's glass fibre-based) around both pipes. It looks factory-fitted.

[Nuggs]

victormeldrew said:

Co-incidence, or a submission to chimaerapages from you Nuggs?

I wish - I spent £££ on exhaust wrap for mine




I'm sure it looks nicer than theaxe's though