Moving the battery to a storage bin?

[tntcorvette]

I am thinking about getting a battery relocation kit and moving my battery to the rear storage bin.

Anyone done this? Anything I should be concerned about? And dont I need to vent it some how???

Thanks

 

[Ken]

I used an Optima so I wouldn't have to worry about venting gases...

When I installed the battery to the rear, I grounded the battery on the frame rail at the rear, just below the storage bin, and also added an additional ground at the engine block.

 

[JonM]

A thought...in a crash...acid all over you and the interior.

 

[Ken]

Jon, the batteries were in the rear for years, until the C4 came along.

 

[JonM]

Jon, the batteries were in the rear for years, until the C4 came along.

My point exactly...ever think why?

 

[tntcorvette]

that would have to be one hell of a crash for the rear storage compartment to get smashed. By that time, i'de consider the car totaled...so battery acid would not be a issue.

Anyway, isnt the optima battery a dry cell battery so there is no fluid?

 

[Ken]

Yeah, Jon's just bein' weird today. :L

 

[XS650]

My point exactly...ever think why?

Sure, puttnig the battery in the front lets them use a cheaper power cable to the starter

 

[KREX 725]

Please excuse my lack of mechanical knowledge, but is it possible to have a battery in both places?

When I purchased mine, I found a battery in the storage compartment behind the driver seat. I also have one under the hood.

Why would somebody have done this?

 

[XS650]

Please excuse my lack of mechanical knowledge, but is it possible to have a battery in both places?

When I purchased mine, I found a battery in the storage compartment behind the driver seat. I also have one under the hood.

Why would somebody have done this?

Yes it's possible, but there is no good reason to do it if your car is in decent condition and you have a good battery.


Dick

 

[Ken]

Why would somebody have done this?

Possibly there was something else in the car that required a lot of power to run, and the extra battery was added to run those accessories. Low Riders often have a need for lot's of juice to run the hydraulics for example. Your car may have had a monster sound system or something like that.

_ken

 

[KOPBET]

Anyway, isnt the optima battery a dry cell battery so there is no fluid?

No, this is not completely true. The Optima batteries are AGM - Absorbed Glass Matte - and are still technically considered wet cell batteries. These batteries still contain electrolyte of 35% sulphuric acid. Because they don't leak (much) electrolyte if the case ruptures does not make them "dry cell".

Maybe this is just a technicality to some of you, but to someone who reads "Do not use on a dry cell battery" on his battery charger and thinks he can't use it on an Optima will be mislead and mistaken.

.02

 

[Ken]

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[WhalePirot]

Mine is there, too, and is an Optima. I ran #2 cable through the channel under the passenger door to a '+' lug, which I drilled/mounted thru the RF wheel inner well. It gives me a convenient jump/charging terminal, ala BMW.

I am still checking how much the voltage drops, despite using such large cable and heavy connectors. I did find that the digi-dash lies about voltage, too.

I cut the stock battery box for use as a base inside the well, as the battery box I ordered was too large to do any good. The modified base is secured through the bottom of the well with bolts and LARGE washers to spread the load. A batttery strap holds the battery nice and tight to the base.

 

[tntcorvette]

Re: I used an Optima so I wouldn't have to worry about venting gases...

When I installed the battery to the rear, I grounded the battery on the frame rail at the rear, just below the storage bin, and also added an additional ground at the engine block.

Ken,


Any reason for mounting the battery in the passenger side storage bin versus the driver side storage bin?


Thanks!

 

[Ken]

I didn't fool with the ABS in the driver side bin.

 

[WhalePirot]

I put the battery closest to the starter and to balance the load a bit (my buns and the battery).

I really wanted to minimize cable length as much as possible, to conserve cranking amps. In retro, I am not sure it was worth the effort, unless I use a fan inside the side gill to pull hot air out.

ABS started when? 1986?

 

[Ken]

Yep.

 

[UB2 SLOW]

Okay, WHY would you want the battery in the rear?

 

[XS650]

Okay, WHY would you want the battery in the rear?

If you starter with 50/50 weight distribution, you would end up with about 49/51, about a 1% shift.

The lower temperatures are a bit better for battery life too.

Dick