Battery move

[Dickie Dastardly]

Evening all,

I've decided to move the battery in my 1999 Chim into the boot as at 6'2 sitting in the passenger seat for any distance is not the most comfortable (heading to Le Mans in June).

I've sourced a compact battery which sits fairly discretely on the top of the fuel tank behind the space saver spare in the centre position. It is my intention to leave the ECU etc in the foot well but to tidy and secure them a bit better.

The old battery and box is out but trying to follow the route of the existing "+" and "-" cables is a bit tricky - they seem to disappear under the dash. Does the "+" run directly to the starter? Where is the "-" earthed? If anyone has any experience of replacing these and could offer some advice on routing/access etc it would be most appreciated - better still if they've run cables to the boot area!!

Thanks in advance

Richard

[angus99]

Just replaced the battery earth on mine. Its earthed to a chassis bolt towards the front of the transmission tunnel on the passenger side just below the dash. Note that the connector is 10 mm diameter not the standard 8 mm as sold by halfords etc.

I'm also considering the battery to boot mod but wasn't sure how easy replacing the +ve lead to the alternator would be. Have seen battery cable junction boxes via google Which are designed for marine use so should be fine providing the existing cable diameter is ok for the longer run.

[Dickie Dastardly]

Thanks Nick, did you get access to the earth ok or did you have to remove some components? I've also noted from some old posts that if lengthening the batt cables it may be a good idea to increase their diameter slightly.

[angus99]

I just pulled down the carpet down on the passenger side of the transmission tunnel below the dash. Access was fairly straight forward once I found the connection point.

[Pink_Floyd]

Dickie Dastardly said:

The old battery and box is out but trying to follow the route of the existing "+" and "-" cables is a bit tricky - they seem to disappear under the dash. Does the "+" run directly to the starter? Where is the "-" earthed? Richard

On my 1998 Chim the big red cable goes straight to the starter motor. the -ve goes to a bolt in the pasanger side transmission tunnel. There are also 2 brown wires from the battery +ve to the fuse box, I would also extend these to the battery with larger cables. I would also run a larger cable between the battery and starter as the current on starting is 3 - 400 Amps.

[MADMAX2]

I'm thinking of doing mine have a friend in the battery cable business who will supply the cables but was thinking of fitting a battery cut off switch in the footwell high up so you don't have to disturb the battery connections when working on the car I would replace every cable for new

[M@H]

If you have sourced a smaller battery will it fit in the cubby hole behind the passenger seat ? easier to do than the boot

[carsy]

I agree with M@H. Have a look at this current thread.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[sparkythecat]

Lotusandy's battery in the boot thread has lots of good tips and pictures on it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Graham]

im liking the cubby box mod, looks like a plan for when i mate the body back with the chassis

[SILICONEKID340HP]

Rather that running the cables under the carpet,could thy not be tie wrapped against the chessis up high out the way ..much more simple route. Another option could be under the bonnet !