Battery relocation
Discussion
Discussions about space and a potential long-distance drive in a Chim have led me to wonder about the possibilities of relocating the Battery and other components to behind the seats in an effort to afford more legroom. Has anyone ever heard of such an undertaking?? or any reason why this is a good / bad idea. The boot was considered, but decided against as sparks and fuel isn't the best mixture in the world , and other than a good place to put yer jacket behind the seats seems pretty vacant.
I assume that if moving it is succesful then the resulting space could be carpeted to match??
Views much appreciated as always.
Reb.
thanks to Raceboy and Beano. Posted it in wrong place ;-)
>>> Edited by rebelmatic on Friday 28th February 11:06
I assume that if moving it is succesful then the resulting space could be carpeted to match??
Views much appreciated as always.
Reb.
thanks to Raceboy and Beano. Posted it in wrong place ;-)
>>> Edited by rebelmatic on Friday 28th February 11:06
A mate moved his GTiR battery to the boot last year - no big problems but needed HUGE cables to cope with the extra distance/amps. (Reason - heat and huge airbox)
As the chimp's battery is right next to the starter you'd need to consider this if you move it.
Is there enough space behind the seat? wouldn't it force the seat forward and defeat the whole object of moving it?
Also, the ECU would need to be well protected against the pressure of passengers' feet and the carpets would need to be specially made (could be expensive).
IMHO leave it where it is, consider a boot mount option or get a travelling companion with shorter legs !!!
Good luck
plipton
>> Edited by plipton on Friday 28th February 11:57
As the chimp's battery is right next to the starter you'd need to consider this if you move it.
Is there enough space behind the seat? wouldn't it force the seat forward and defeat the whole object of moving it?
Also, the ECU would need to be well protected against the pressure of passengers' feet and the carpets would need to be specially made (could be expensive).
IMHO leave it where it is, consider a boot mount option or get a travelling companion with shorter legs !!!
Good luck
plipton
>> Edited by plipton on Friday 28th February 11:57
Sounds like a bad idea to me, the current needed to crank this size of engine is considerable. If a few inches extra in the footwell would make a big difference to you maybe you could consider two smaller batteries. One where it is and one elsewhere connected in parallel, that would make the cable side of things easier to sort. It would also make it easier to find a home for the smaller second battery rather than the original size.
My two euros worth, leave well alone.
Ivan
My two euros worth, leave well alone.
Ivan
plipton said:
IMHO leave it where it is, consider a boot mount option or get a travelling companion with shorter legs !!!
Plipton, you mis-understand. It's my Chimaera, and I only fit in the drivers seat. Rebel is concerned that he will never get to drive the thing when I am around, unless he can shoe-horn me into the other side. He has been relegated to navigator on the weekly joy-rides.
Of course, even if I could fit in the passenger side, why would I want to?
Blimey Boiler, how tall are you? The guy I bought my Chimp from was 6'4" and he could get in the passenger seat (OK he looked a bit cramped) and Mrs Plipton-to-be is 5'10 and she....OK....she complains about the lack of space. Fair point!!
boiler said:
plipton said:
IMHO leave it where it is, consider a boot mount option or get a travelling companion with shorter legs !!!
Plipton, you mis-understand. It's my Chimaera, and I only fit in the drivers seat. Rebel is concerned that he will never get to drive the thing when I am around, unless he can shoe-horn me into the other side. He has been relegated to navigator on the weekly joy-rides.
Of course, even if I could fit in the passenger side, why would I want to?
The 2 battery idea is a good one - one in the footwell and the other mounted above it. With the right battery combination you could get the same or better AH rating, not have to extend cables more than a few inches, gain about 4 inches legroom and all without upsetting the car's fine hadling!!.
Leave the ECU where it is, though (too many wires to mess with).
In 1998 we did a Chimaera for a chap and his wife were 6ft odd each and the battery was relocated in the boot central above the fuel tank - we asked TVR Engineering about it at the time and they suggested that this was the best route and they had done a few up there. YOu need some new carpet in the passenger footwell to finish off the job.
It cost about £600 at the time if I recall.
After all this together with a trickle charger and a red cut off switch in the boot the guy did 1500 miles in three years in the car!
It cost about £600 at the time if I recall.
After all this together with a trickle charger and a red cut off switch in the boot the guy did 1500 miles in three years in the car!
jamer said: In 1998 we did a Chimaera for a chap and his wife were 6ft odd each and the battery was relocated in the boot central above the fuel tank - we asked TVR Engineering about it at the time and they suggested that this was the best route and they had done a few up there. YOu need some new carpet in the passenger footwell to finish off the job.
It cost about £600 at the time if I recall.
After all this together with a trickle charger and a red cut off switch in the boot the guy did 1500 miles in three years in the car!
that's a bloody good Idea, wonder if it could be dome in a Griff??
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