Battery location and cable upgrade?

[TwinKam]

Hedgehopper said:

I was thinking of buying something like this. Other kits available on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydraulic-Crimper-Crimpi...

Wow that's cheap! These things used to be £100+...

[ProjectChimaera]

When I did mine I used 50mm and it is quite substantial. I also ran the same size earth directly from battery to starter bolt. Both went through the existing grommet in the bulkhead with a bit of persuasion!

[wuckfitracing]

So I took the + and neg cable down the front of the fuel tank and went through the corner/floor through elbow conduit style fittings to prevent against rubbing. Then the neg went to a new earthing point on the rear drivers side. The + went along the chassis to the starter. I fitted a LED light onto the red top cage, wired it directly onto battery via an inline fuse because i could see bugger all in the boot.

[wuckfitracing]

Forgot to mention its on the top of the fuel tank and bolted through rear bulkhead, I just lifted carpet on the inside to find bolt holes. The boingy strap is only a temporary fix to keep the other stuff falling off the shelf. I intend to bend some aluminium up in the workshop at work when Ive got some dimensions and make storage boxes either side of it.

[wuckfitracing]

These are the cables coming out of the bottom of the boot drivers side rear.

[wuckfitracing]

Sorry for quality of photo but this is where the cables come out of boot.

[bobfather]

wuckfitracing said:

So I took the + and neg cable down the front of the fuel tank and went through the corner/floor through elbow conduit style fittings to prevent against rubbing. Then the neg went to a new earthing point on the rear drivers side. The + went along the chassis to the starter. I fitted a LED light onto the red top cage, wired it directly onto battery via an inline fuse because i could see bugger all in the boot.

You need to cover those terminals. There's a lot of energy waiting for an opportunity to escape

[wuckfitracing]

Thanks ,Yes I know Im currently waiting for the "cad designer" at work to program the 3d printer to print me some covers.

[QBee]

Here is where mine is located. Better than in the bottom corner of the boot, as that can get in the way of the roof.



The cable is 50mm2 and runs directly under the car to the starter motor. Battery is an Oddity Extreme.

[s p a c e m a n]

The original cable runs through the 100amp fuse on the chassis doesn't it, have you all thrown it in the bin?

[QBee]

I don't think you are correct.
The 100 amp fuse on the chassis rail is between the alternator and the battery. It still is in my car too. It protects the electrics from alternator spikes.
The 80 amp fuse in the footwell is between the battery and just about everything else.
The original cable from battery to starter ran over the gearbox housing, and was too thin for purpose, so resistance was too high and it has become crispy fried with age. It is still there in my car. Other cables took power from battery to the fuse board etc.
My new cable goes from battery to starter with a thicker cable, but then uses the original crispy cable to take the lower current on from the starter and over to the fuse board and hence to the rest of the car. It just uses the fact that electricity will travel in whichever direction it likes.

[bobfather]

Hedgehopper said:

I was thinking of buying something like this. Other kits available on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydraulic-Crimper-Crimpi...

If it's a one-off job this is cheaper

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381416453701?_trksid=p20...

[wuckfitracing]

Not through 100 amp fuse. Mine is early production 430. It doesn't have this fuse .

[s p a c e m a n]

I just assumed because the fuse was underneath the starter motor. How much do we need to get from starter to boot, 4 meters red and 1 meter for earth?

Those hydraulic crimps look good, I've got the old fashioned draper whack it with a hammer type somewhere but I might buy myself another Christmas present

[Hedgehopper]

bobfather said:

If it's a one-off job this is cheaper

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381416453701?_trksid=p20...

I saw those but the problem is that they would be difficult to use in situ. I think fitting the cable first then crimping ends whilst in place would be easier.

[portzi]

wuckfitracing said:

Thanks ,Yes I know Im currently waiting for the "cad designer" at work to program the 3d printer to print me some covers.

IMHO I would not wait, anyone having uncovered battery terminals should get down to their local auto parts shop and buy some temporary terminal covers, change yours out when you have got your bespoke one's made.

Especially when your battery is above the fuel tank, with all that fuel vapour in and around the boot.

Edited by portzi on Friday 9th December 15:01

[wuckfitracing]

Boom!

[QBee]

Note to self - remember to remove the battery from the boot of the Audi A8 and Volvo XC90 - these Germans and Swedes make damn dangerous cars.

Next they will be telling us their cars have super low emissions.....

[wuckfitracing]

Oh could I add those japs as well. MX5 mk1 = battery in boot

[Bassfiendnoideawhathp]

QBee said:

Note to self - remember to remove the battery from the boot of the Audi A8 and Volvo XC90 - these Germans and Swedes make damn dangerous cars.

Next they will be telling us their cars have super low emissions.....

...but they don't have the fuel tank in the boot.