Converting from Anderson behind the seat to Battery in boot

[TWB86]

Hi Chaps,

So this afternoon i was briefly stranded when my battery gave up the ghost having dropped to 70 something CCA! Managed to get the car home and am now sourcing a new battery which needs fitting sharpish before a trip to Bath this weekend. I think I'm going to get an Optima red top as i had planned in due course to move the battery to the boot and when i do this having something as light and compact as possible will be an advantage as i envisage fitting it in place of the CD changer top centre.

My question is, as i already have an anderson connector in the cubby hole behind the passenger seat, can i just extend from the cubby hole into the boot and connect the battery making use of the current connections? And what happens to the original terminal clamps in the foot well, is it simply a case of insulating them thoroughly and securing them out of the way? I have looked through old threads on this in the past and couldn't find a specific answer on those points.

Cheers

Tom

[pb450]

Old cables are removed when you run new cables to boot. (Or am I missing something here?)

Make sure they're beefy items to compensate the additional length required to reach the boot. Can't recall the size of mine but they're thicker than the original weedy items. No problems since fitting.

Your question regarding the Anderson connectors; do you really need them still if your battery is nice and accessible in the boot?

[pb450]

Sorry, just re-read your original thread. (Clearly I WAS missing something, it's early in the morning! )

Strike most of what I just said, except the thick cable line. Would make sure old footwell clamps are well isolated though.

[TWB86]

Great, that's good to know, already having the cabling run as far as the passenger cubby will make the job much easier. I'm assuming it should now just be a case of pulling up some parcel shelf and boot carpet and cutting an appropriate hole to get the cable into the boot.

Now it's only a matter of time before I disconnect the battery to do some work then shut the boot on it!

[Tyre Tread]

You don't need to cut a hole into the boot. You can run cables through the wheelrach behind the panels alongside the seat.

Of course it depends on where you intend to site the battery and where you run the cables.

Edited by Tyre Tread on Wednesday 10th December 13:29

[TWB86]

Ah ok, im sure it will become clear when I take a proper look at it. I was planning to go top centre with the battery but it may not fit above the space saver, also (and more importantly) there is a little gap in the boot seal at that point so I would be concerned about water ingress around the battery!

T

[pb450]

I have a full size battery box in the boot, above the spare wheel as you suggest, so it does fit.

Cables can be thread through into boot as suggested, without cutting holes. Mine was done when fuel tank was out which makes hiding the cables easier.

Strongly suggest new boot seal if you have a gap in it anywhere. You don't want water in the boot anyway but especially not around the battery.

[Tyre Tread]

I don't think a tiny amount of water near the battery will be a problem (that's if it can get past the rather large lip anyway) as many cars have the batteries mounted under the bonnet in areas that are relatively exposed. Not like its going to cause a fire is it?

Having said the above, best to keep dry if possible to avoid oxidisation on the leads and contacts.

Edited by Tyre Tread on Wednesday 10th December 21:36

[pb450]

Good point Mr Tread. On reflection, my 12 year old Corsa has the battery just in front of the windscreen under the bonnet, pretty much exposed to the elements full time. Never had any problems.

[Engineer1949]

While you are at it move the fuse board to behind the passenger seat then all nice and accesable

John

[Tyre Tread]

When I moved the battery I didn't see the need to move the fuse board as it is more accesible (albeit not completely) once the battery is moved.

I did relocate the ECU and two loose relays to the space above the "Glovebox" flap to get them off the floor and secure them. They fit really well and I can't think why TVR didn't locate them there in the first place.

ETA: Once you remove the battery from the Pax footwell it leaves lots of legroom but nowhere for the passenger to brace. I have now fitted a passenger footbrace which makes the fusebox awkward to get at again so I may look at moving the fusebox when i get around to it.

Edited by Tyre Tread on Thursday 11th December 10:02

[TWB86]

Well, it's happened sooner than I thought! In the process of removing the dead battery I've disconnected it and shut the doors withtje windows closed!! Could someone please let me in on the manual or release trick via private message??

Also, are the two battery box bolts the ones which bolt through the outrigger corner plate and the one adjacent to it?

Cheers

Tom

[over_the_hill]

TWB86 said:

Well, it's happened sooner than I thought! In the process of removing the dead battery I've disconnected it and shut the doors withtje windows closed!! Could someone please let me in on the manual or release trick via private message??

Also, are the two battery box bolts the ones which bolt through the outrigger corner plate and the one adjacent to it?

Cheers

Tom

My battery box bolts do not go through any chassis parts - just the floor - and are probably about 20cm apart.

[TWB86]

over_the_hill said:

My battery box bolts do not go through any chassis parts - just the floor - and are probably about 20cm apart.

It's ok, since figuring out the emergency door release and continuing with the job i've realised that the reason i couldn't find the bolts under the car is because there are no bolts! The battery box was just sitting loose in the footwell. Now to have some lunch and wait for the new battery to arrive...

[rickprice]

TWB86 said:

Now it's only a matter of time before I disconnect the battery to do some work then shut the boot on it!

Tip: Open boot and use screwdriver to close latch - as if you've shut the boot. Then you can't lock the damn thing. The boot will drop onto an already closed latch.

[TWB86]

Thanks for that, the job is done now. The problem I have now is that having swapped the battery over the car now isnt starting! The fuel pump primes but when I turn the key the starter motor does nothing, I can hear a faint click from the relays in the footwell when the key is turned but it's now too dark to go any further today. I do n have a lot of time to research this as I'm going out tonight and due to use the car for a trip for the weekend!

Could anyone point me in the direction of likely causes. Hoping this can be a quick fix on Saturday morning!


Thanks in advance

Tom

[SILICONEKID345HP]

Finished job

[cortest]

We did the full conversion, and it worth it

[cortest]

[cortest]