Battery relocation question. (spare wheel well)
Discussion
Hi guys, i was wondering if anyone has experience of relocating the battery to the rear of the car, specificly for me, the spare wheel well.
I drive a mk4 astra sri turbo that i am building up to about 350 bhp ish. And i want a little more space
If anyone has any advice for me to do this then please let me know, thanks in advance.
I drive a mk4 astra sri turbo that i am building up to about 350 bhp ish. And i want a little more space
If anyone has any advice for me to do this then please let me know, thanks in advance.
So where is the spare wheel going?
I'm not in favour of putting batteries in the boot unless they are separated from the passengers by a good thick layer of steel. If you have a huge accident or somebody piles into the back of you lots of stuff will end up where it shouldn't be, bolted down or not, and being splashed with acid would not be fun.
In addition the spare wheel tends to be in a crush zone which makes the situation even worse.
I'm not in favour of putting batteries in the boot unless they are separated from the passengers by a good thick layer of steel. If you have a huge accident or somebody piles into the back of you lots of stuff will end up where it shouldn't be, bolted down or not, and being splashed with acid would not be fun.
In addition the spare wheel tends to be in a crush zone which makes the situation even worse.
I don't use a spare wheel as i have different alloys and wheel spacers so wouldnt fit on anyway. Plus i have a couple of cans of tyre weld in the car as always.
Was just an idea, I have seen 'battery boxes' which allows you to relocate to the rear.
You are right with regards to the crash situation, i never thought of it in that depth, as said, was just an idea.
Was just an idea, I have seen 'battery boxes' which allows you to relocate to the rear.
You are right with regards to the crash situation, i never thought of it in that depth, as said, was just an idea.
The battery boxes that are fibreglass or moulded plastic will just crush up in a heavy smash. Try to look at some major impacts on You Tube of vehicles of your type in rear smashes and visualise what will happen.
I have seen a lot of crashed cars as part of my job and the above is probably the best way I can think of to help you understand where I am coming from.
I have seen a lot of crashed cars as part of my job and the above is probably the best way I can think of to help you understand where I am coming from.
Sulphuric acid in the concentration used in a car battery isn't a real problem. I've been splashed with it on more than one occasion. The greatest risk is embarrassment from all the holes in your clothes. It tastes lovely, too - like lemonade (as Victorian-era sellers of dodgy lemonade well knew).
However if you are worried about it a gel battery might be the answer.
However if you are worried about it a gel battery might be the answer.
Pigeon said:
Sulphuric acid in the concentration used in a car battery isn't a real problem. I've been splashed with it on more than one occasion. The greatest risk is embarrassment from all the holes in your clothes. It tastes lovely, too - like lemonade (as Victorian-era sellers of dodgy lemonade well knew).
However if you are worried about it a gel battery might be the answer.
So let's suppose you have a mega-accident and stuff flies everywhere. Even gel could cause problems.However if you are worried about it a gel battery might be the answer.
Do the job properly - keep batteries out of the passenger cell.
I've had the fortune to be able to look at some cars that have had very high speed crashes and you can walk away from some unbelieveably messy accidents when the manufacturer has put a considerable amount of thought and effort into making the vehicle crashworthy.
But it would be a pity to survive an accident only to have severe acid burns.
So again, my view is keep the battery out of the passenger compartment.
But it would be a pity to survive an accident only to have severe acid burns.
So again, my view is keep the battery out of the passenger compartment.
How about putting the battery under the rear seat?
http://www.zeebuck.com/bimmers/tech/batteryrelocat...
http://www.zeebuck.com/bimmers/tech/batteryrelocat...
Mr2Mike said:
GavinPearson said:
So again, my view is keep the battery out of the passenger compartment.
I guess all those TVR and MGB drivers should think about relocating their batteries then. And virtually every rally car and circuit car.I'd say that the main concern with putting a battery in the boot is the wiring to get power to the starter motor. It will need to be feckin HUGE. (Note, 'thick' car stereo amp wire is no where near up to the job. You will need to get proper solid copper core wire which was designed for the job of relocating starter batteries to the boot. I've seen the wire used in my BMW and it's about as thick as my thumb, and I've got big hands.)
Edited by mrmr96 on Tuesday 8th February 11:03
mrmr96 said:
I'd say that the main concern with putting a battery in the boot is the wiring to get power to the starter motor. It will need to be feckin HUGE.
Agreed, and even more importantly it needs to be installed properly. I've seen numerous bodged installs where the battery cable has been fed through sharp holes in sheet steel with no grommets etc.GavinPearson said:
Pigeon said:
Sulphuric acid in the concentration used in a car battery isn't a real problem. I've been splashed with it on more than one occasion. The greatest risk is embarrassment from all the holes in your clothes. It tastes lovely, too - like lemonade (as Victorian-era sellers of dodgy lemonade well knew).
However if you are worried about it a gel battery might be the answer.
So let's suppose you have a mega-accident and stuff flies everywhere. Even gel could cause problems.However if you are worried about it a gel battery might be the answer.
Do the job properly - keep batteries out of the passenger cell.
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