Battery issue (again ...) : solved but getting fed up :(

[bzguy]

Hi all,

for winter storage (SORN as you call it), my Noble has been on trickle charging for a while.

But : since I wanted to re-register the car, I tried it, didn't start, only jump-started.

Battery was all the way down, so I thought that would cost me (again) a battery, so took out the battery (hell of a job), charged it, put it back, wired it all nicely up, and now problem seems to have disappeared, so I'm happy there

Looks like it was a bad contact between trickle charger & battery, not allowing the battery to properly charge and causing a warning alarm on my trickle charger.

My question to you guys : how easy is it to re-locate the battery into the cabin ?

I know some people have done it, but how ? And what kind of battery do you use then ?

A colleague uses a golf cart battery in his Morgan +8 (4 liter engine), so would that be possible for the Noble too ?

[StreetDragster]

I have a battery in the cabin behind the drivers seat. Previous owner fitted it there.

Its an Odyssey battery in an alloy mounting cage bolted to the floor. To wire it, there are terminal blocks in the engine bay joining where all the original wires terminated, and then short leads through the bulkhead onto the battery.

There is also a trickle charging connector added to the battery for the winter lay up.

[bzguy]

Aha, that is intresting !!

Could you post pictures please ?

[StreetDragster]

I will try and get some up tonight, haven't got the car at home at the moment

Thanks

Matt

[patsrocket]

It was a fairly easy project.
Worst part was getting the battery out from the original location. LOL
This is a full size battery inside a battery box.
I also added a volt meter.
My trickle charger connection is hanging in my wheel well for easy hook up.

Edited by patsrocket on Wednesday 5th March 20:25

Edited by patsrocket on Wednesday 5th March 20:26

[kenloen]

I would just fit a battery extension lead to somewhere more accessible on the bulkhead. On my bike I have a waterproof Optimate lead fitted, allows for quick connection without stripping the bike down.. You might need a longer one but this is the idea..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Optimate-4-Accumate-Wate...

[Blu3R]

I just plug my Ctek into the cigarette lighter.

[StreetDragster]

[bzguy]

Thank you all for the ansers, very helpful !

I'll try to find a way to make it work (hope asap), will need terminal blocks etc ...

@ koenlek : I do have that cable indeed, and the Optimate 4

[AMG Merc]

Would also love to move the battery at some point. Is it legal to fit a battery inside a passenger cabin and will if affect the MOT test?

[bzguy]

I have no idea on MOT (since non UK)

Does someone have a picture how it looks @ the bulkhead ? The terminal blocks, etc ?

And where you can get the needed parts

[StreetDragster]

I think if its a 'normal' lead acid battery that yo be in the cabin it needs to be in a ventilated box. Mine has a odessey battery which i think is a sealed gel type, not sure if thats different, not been mentioned at any MOT's so far.

Regarding terminal blocks they are simple things and nothing special, basically a stud and nut in a plastic box. Might be called a terminal block, power distribution block or similar. You could easily make your own by joining all the cables together then insulating it accordingly.

Be aware though, battery there does cut back your storage space significantly. I have the Noble luggage and i cannot use one of the two large bags due to the batteries position. I've considered moving it back to the standard location to improve storage space.

Thanks

Matt

[Jarcy]

StreetDragster said:

I have the Noble luggage and i cannot use one of the two large bags due to the batteries position.

Matt

Happy to relieve you of a Noble luggage large bag, if it's surplus to requirements!

[bzguy]

Storage space makes sense, didn't think about that ; I do have the 6 piece luggage set, and Indeed I used all of them to go on a small vacation to UK.

So maybe worth thinking of not to change it ... choices ... :S

[StreetDragster]

Jarcy said:

Happy to relieve you of a Noble luggage large bag, if it's surplus to requirements!

I'll bare that in mind thanks

[TIGERSIX]

Its ok to fit battery inside regarding MOT regs but if its a wet battery the box it sits in must be sealed and vented to outside the car if you are going to do it fit a gell battery only .I had one explode in a PT Cruiser, battery was fitted under passengers seat far from a pleasant experience when trapped in the car after a head on collision with a Warrior and a 7.5 tonner .

[andygtt]

buy a gel battery that will sit flat behind the seat... you could also leave the original in place and have it as an addition if your not worried about the extra 10kgs it will add!

I have built a battery tray beside the original and fitted very powerful lightweight lithium type batteries... these are very light and small (1.6kgs each) and each have the cranking capacity of the original battery and they are easy to get at.... my point is you could fit 2 of these behind the seat and they would only be 200x100x100mm and can be used in addition to the existing very easily!
That way you would have 1540cranking amps rather than the stock 540!!!... Im also going to try installing an electronic kill that disconnects these batteries automatically (in controlled way) if the voltage drops meaning even if I leave the lights on I will always be able to start the car!... time will tell if it all works

[TuxMan]

I have fitted mine behind the passenger seat , big improvement on std .

I was going to post up a photo but due too tossers on this forum im not going to bother !!!!

[TIGERSIX]

TuxMan said:

I have fitted mine behind the passenger seat , big improvement on std .

I was going to post up a photo but due too tossers on this forum im not going to bother !!!!

Go on you cock womble you know you want to post pics bet its a carbon box with a green tint

[bzguy]

OK, seems like it's solved (although, still thinking to move the battery to the cabin).

Will be again on the road as from tomorrow, wingless !