Battery in boot

[wuckfitracing]

So the plan is to relocate to the boot. Not decided yet if I should locate on top of fuel tank or in the nearside well but has anyone gone from the starter along the chassis and into the boot without going through the Driver/passenger compartment. This seems the shortest route but I cant fugure out how to get it into the boot. Anyone done it.
Thanks Colin.

[phazed]

Just drill a hole where you like, it's only fibreglass.

[phazed]

From memory, I went under the carpet of the transmission tunnel, behind the passenger seat, into the recess where the door release mechanism is and through the recess at shoulder level over the wheel arch and into the boot.

[portzi]

Another option is behind the passenger in the cubby hole behind the seat, a little cutting and simple fibre glass work is required but we'll worth the effort, without putting anything near the fuel tank? Just initial outlay for an odessey battery which has lasted 4 years so far?

Edited by portzi on Tuesday 15th December 23:36

[wuckfitracing]

Thanks for the replies but like I said I dont want to go through the cab. Its a shorter run straight to the boot along the chassis. So has anyone done it.

[phazed]

There is no reason why not, it is straightforward.

If you look at the base of the boot there are several holes which are probably for ventilation. You could use one of these or easily drill your own .

Have a look and you will see that the fuel pipe and return go through the bottom of the boots.

[wuckfitracing]

Ah yes forgot about those pipes I will have a closer look tonight.

[QBee]

Mat Smith took that route on my car - positive lead straight to starter motor along the chassis rail. My battery, like Phazed's,. is now a gel battery on top of the fuel tank.
After owning a number of lpg cars I have stopped worrying about fuel tanks etc.

I can have a look which way he went if it would help. Or phone him. He also used better thickness and quality cable.
He left the original battery to starter lead in place of course, to feed the fuse box. Amazingly electricity appears to be able to flow in either direction along a cable.....!

[QBee]

The benefit of locating it on top of the tank is that it doesn't get in the way of anything at all, especially the roof panel.




PS I am only at Newark on Trent, not that far from the bottom right bit of Derbyshire - you are most welcome to come over, have a good look and a ferret around, jack the car up and look underneath etc

Edited by QBee on Wednesday 16th December 08:48

[cinquecento]

Just relocated my battery too..ran the earth over the rear drivers side wheel arch and into the cavity where the door locks/solenoids are..then used the drivers side seat belt mount as an earth point. The positive was again over the rear wheel arch then inside the cavity along the base of the driver's side door (so technically it's not in the cabin). Positive lead was then ran behind the pedals to the starter motor. It's clean and the leads are invisible.

[wuckfitracing]

Qbee thanks for the offer. What battery do you have, I think that's where I will put it, looks like the best position.

[QBee]

wuckfitracing said:

Qbee thanks for the offer. What battery do you have, I think that's where I will put it, looks like the best position.

Mine's an Odessey Extreme. You have to buy the cage too, and bolt it through the fiberglass. The small bolt heads disappear in the carpet below the rear window.
Not cheap, but the cranking power is awesome. Never had any low battery issues with mine.

[pb450]

Mine's also in the boot now, courtesy of Dan Taylor, during the body-off job last year. From memory, I believe the new (thicker) cables run along the chassis. Can't be certain where they enter the boot though.

A good point made by Anthony is that by locating it on top of the fuel tank, it won't interfere with roof panel insertion into the boot. A battery in the space to the rear of the nearside wheel arch will hinder this. I know as my CD changer is located there now! No problem though as I insert the roof panel the other way round now, i.e. by using the offside wheel arch recess instead.

I also agree with Anthony's remark about not worrying about placing the battery on top of the tank - although I have no experience with LPG. If sparks and petrol mix, the result is obvious. However, you need to split the tank and short the battery to create this scenario. If this happens, you're probably in a fairly sorry state by this time anyway. Think how many production cars have the battery in the boot as standard.

Make sure you inform your insurance company of this mod, as you are obliged to do so. I did and they didn't have a problem with it.

Last tip (as mentioned above) is to use fatter cables for the increased length (and resulting increased resistance when hot) and you won't have any problems with cold starting.

Then the next time you need to disconnect or replace the battery, it'll be a doddle!

[QBee]

Phazed added a cut-out handle right by the battery, so he could isolate the battery without need for a spanner. Neat move, just don't shut the boot lid with it isolated!!

He will probably post a photo if it, he's always helpful.

[phazed]

QBee said:

Phazed added a cut-out handle right by the battery, so he could isolate the battery without need for a spanner. Neat move, just don't shut the boot lid with it isolated!!

He will probably post a photo if it, he's always helpful.

Maybe I will, maybe I won't!

[phazed]

[wuckfitracing]

Thanks phazed. What model number battery did you use.

[phazed]

wuckfitracing said:

Thanks phazed. What model number battery did you use.

From NIMBUS MOTORSPORT.


Good Afternoon Peter,

Thank you again for your order of the Varley Red Top 30 battery.

This is packaged ready to be despatched later this afternoon and therefore should be with you tomorrow.

We have made a note for the courier that you are happy for the delivery to be placed in the open garage if nobody is home.

The dimensions for the battery are as follows:

LENGTH - 250mm
HEIGHT - 142mm
DEPTH - 97mm
WEIGHT - 10.6kg

[phazed]

Qty
Item
Options
Price
1
Varley Race/Rally Red Top 30 Battery Mounting Bracket
Item Number 400552211323

£38.39 GBP
Amount
£38.39 GBP

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=varley+red+...

Edited by phazed on Wednesday 16th December 14:49

[wuckfitracing]

Unbolted petrol tank. Looks like plenty of room behind tank to come up through the vent flap. New battery and battery clamp ordered. Thanks for the advice chaps.