New Battery (Gel)
Discussion
Gel batteries are best suited to racing applications and don’t tolerate prolonged small drain, such as an alarm very well.
That said some owners have satisfactorily used gel batteries for long periods when supported with a battery conditioner.
Why are you interested in fitting a gel battery?
Gel batteries are small and light. Most people look at them with a view to gaining legroom.
A better alternative is to fit a lead acid battery that has different proportions. Take a look at the Odyssey Extreme 40.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/extremespecs.html
It’s a bit taller and quite a bit shallower than the standard battery. That means a different size battery box can be used and about 3” of legroom gained.
It’s a lot less work than moving the battery to the boot and you don’t lose boot space.
That said some owners have satisfactorily used gel batteries for long periods when supported with a battery conditioner.
Why are you interested in fitting a gel battery?
Gel batteries are small and light. Most people look at them with a view to gaining legroom.
A better alternative is to fit a lead acid battery that has different proportions. Take a look at the Odyssey Extreme 40.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/extremespecs.html
It’s a bit taller and quite a bit shallower than the standard battery. That means a different size battery box can be used and about 3” of legroom gained.
It’s a lot less work than moving the battery to the boot and you don’t lose boot space.
I recently moved my battery to the boot & used a Odyssey PC925 from http://www.odysseybatteriesonline.co.uk
see post for more info.
Andy
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
see post for more info.
Andy
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
lotusandy said:
I recently moved my battery to the boot & used a Odyssey PC925 from http://www.odysseybatteriesonline.co.uk
see post for more info.
Andy
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Well done Andy: 1. more passenger leg room, 2. less heat to battery and fusebox, 3. easyier access to battery and fuses, 4. better weight ratio with the battery in the trunk.see post for more info.
Andy
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A Porsche 911 feature the other way round I still appreciate when hooking the trickle charger.
I measured everything up to make sure it fitted, and then contacted Surface and Design.
A new battery box to suit the extreme 40 was about £60.
I was all ready to go ahead when the old battery died totally. That forced me to put a new standard battery in. So I shelved the project until the winter.
These batteries don’t actually need a battery box. I’m using the time to come up with a different fixing design that will make it quick and easy to remove and refit the battery.
A new battery box to suit the extreme 40 was about £60.
I was all ready to go ahead when the old battery died totally. That forced me to put a new standard battery in. So I shelved the project until the winter.
These batteries don’t actually need a battery box. I’m using the time to come up with a different fixing design that will make it quick and easy to remove and refit the battery.
hiltonig said:
anyone know which of these batteries would fit the chim ?
Griff and Chimp take the same battery.If you look online at various different battery suppliers, they all offer suitable batteries with typical sizes like 247mm x 175mm x 175mm for both Griff and Chimp. The Odyssey Extreme 40 is 250 X 97 X 206mm.
Checking my car there is enough room to it a battery 3mm wider and 31mm higher. That leaves us with a 78mm saving in the depth of the battery, or about 3” in old money.
With a new battery box pushed as far towards the bulkhead as possible, or better still a metal strap cage bolted down, with clips to allow quick battery removal, all that 3” becomes extra legroom.
I have relocated the ECU so I don’t have to consider that. Others may need to check for height clearance.
Barreti said:
Uncle Fester, did you consider relocating the battery behind one of the seats on the little shelf recess?
Would the extreme 40 fit there? I know it can be mounted sideways which was my thought, and you can even buy a ready made bracket
Both seats have to go all the way back and I wanted to keep that area clear for other ideas. So, I didn’t pursue that area too seriously.Would the extreme 40 fit there? I know it can be mounted sideways which was my thought, and you can even buy a ready made bracket
One idea I did consider, and haven’t fully dismissed yet is a raised footwell mount. My footwell is substantially different to standard. Emerald ECU, new loom to suit, total rewire fusebox to dash. So my footwell is quite clear and tidy.
My thought was to mount an Odyssey Extreme 40 on its side in the footwell. The idea was to fabricate an alloy ‘bridge’ mount. The passengers’ feet would be under the bridge and the battery on top of it.
That would probably require moving the fuse box. I have a few thoughts about that too. Part of wanting the spare glovebox was to experiment with ideas I have for a quick removal glovebox. I find it’s fiddly and time consuming to remove and refit a standard glovebox. I want to make it quick removable. That way I could have the fuse box behind it.
A key to this is my intention to change the heater box. DNB built a prototype and was working upon making it suitable for air conditioning. My car has A/C, but the heater box design is laughable. When DNB makes the new heater box available I will get that in and build around it. If the battery can be raised into that area, it’s going to be tight. I don’t want to block the heater box modification and have to move it again. The only drawback would be raising the centre of gravity.
Sounds like it might be easier to send your car off to a stretch limo company?
Looked at fitting small batteries in the seat back area itself? There seems to be a lower area of the seat that doesn't really do that much until you get to the lumbar area? I know it adds a few challenges with the cabling having to flex, but it gains you the seat movement you require I think.
Looked at fitting small batteries in the seat back area itself? There seems to be a lower area of the seat that doesn't really do that much until you get to the lumbar area? I know it adds a few challenges with the cabling having to flex, but it gains you the seat movement you require I think.
I've put the PC925 in mine (small square one) like LotusAndy, right in the middle on top of the fuel tank. It's hidden completely behind a carpet panel which was further back beforehand due to speakers I have in there to the left and right. Its as if I have no battery at all now!
I put my fusebox in the same location as Andy, behind the passenger seat and my Emerald is now up above the footwell, resulting in nothing at all in the passenger footwell, and enough leg room that I can't touch the end when sitting in the seat (and I'm 6'2"). The acid test:
After sitting in the seat to check the leg room, I fell asleep due to its immense comfort!
I put my fusebox in the same location as Andy, behind the passenger seat and my Emerald is now up above the footwell, resulting in nothing at all in the passenger footwell, and enough leg room that I can't touch the end when sitting in the seat (and I'm 6'2"). The acid test:
After sitting in the seat to check the leg room, I fell asleep due to its immense comfort!
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