Wevo battery box

rhk109 · 03-03-2004, 06:05 PM

Anyone else installed this? Is it worth it? http://www.wevo.com/wevobatterybox.htm

thomschoon · 03-03-2004, 06:20 PM

I bought one and am going to finally install it this weekend, should have pictures next week.

The quality was outstanding, like everything they make, and the Miata battery is nice and small.

Would I spend the money again, heck yaaa!!

rhk109 · 03-03-2004, 06:24 PM

I'll be waiting for those pics.

I am concerned about the drain tube from the cowl and the big hole into the center tunnel that are in the smugglers box. Does the Wevo box leave room for these?

thomschoon · 03-03-2004, 06:26 PM

The battery box mounts to the lip where the smugglers box seals, there is no interference with anything, it is a well thought out and executed install.

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

Does anyone know how much the Miata battery wieghs? I really wanted the Wevo battery box, but settled for a Odessey battery instead. I did however order a Wevo shifter, but they are on back order till the 22nd

rhk109 · 03-03-2004, 06:46 PM

25 lbs.

So the battery hangs from the lip and has extra space below and around it in the smugglers box? Does the tie down come with the box?

thomschoon · 03-03-2004, 06:54 PM

A very nice anodized tie down just like the Miatas is included, very nice/kewl. I am out of town until Saturday but will take some pictures of everything that came with it and post them on Monday.

rhk109 · 03-03-2004, 06:59 PM

Thanks, look forward to the pics

Jack Olsen · 03-04-2004, 10:23 AM

I saw one of these installed over the weekend, with the very light (15 lbs) Elephant Racing battery in it.

I was very jealous.

Randy Webb · 03-04-2004, 10:39 AM

LEt me alter the topic just a tad... Is there any battery with the charge holding ability of an Optima that is lighter? And will it fit in the Wevo box?

Porschekid962 · Porschekid962's Garage

i saw tyson's installed in his car. very trick looking and slick, to add to what jack said he had the Elephant Racing lightweight(weightweenie) battery installed. i was just unsure as to whether the sheet metal that makes the smugglers box can be removed for this install. if i didnt have a/c i would have something like that def.

wevoid · wevoid's Garage

Randy,

I am curious why you feel the electrical capacity of the Optima battery would be necessary?

I am sure there are batteries with higher power density and total capacity than the Miata battery, but we selected that unit on the basis of cost, gel electrolyte, electrical capacity and the fact that it is designed for a modern road car with significant electrical accessory demands.

Under a wide range of normal circumstances I can not imagine the need for any more battery capacity in a 911.

Regards

Hayden

Randy Webb · 03-04-2004, 08:52 PM

Hayden -- I live in Orygon and it can get cold here. Also, with no choke the car can be hard to start and require multiple attempts. Third, the car sits for a week or two so the battery usually self-discharges somewhat.

I don't know the capacity of the Miata battery -- what is the CCA? Maybe it will be just fine and will save me 22 lbs. or so.

rhk109 · 03-05-2004, 04:13 AM

Miata battery = 475 CCA, 31 AH

wevoid · wevoid's Garage

Randy,

In our experience with the Miata battery - now about 18 months, we have not had to boost or charge the battery at any time. Our car sits for weeks at a time too, although unlike one of our other 911's, it has no earth leaks and even the old twin batteries were usually pretty good, only requiring an occasional top up.

With the battery installed in the smugglers box you can reduce the length of the primary battery cables by a total of about 72", this has a positive effect on how much power can be delivered to the starter.

I can not comment on the cold weather starting, our storage is never lower than 60 degrees. Recently at Willow Springs when the car was left out overnight it was barely above freezing when we arrived to start the cars in the morning, it cranked right up, I never even thought about it being an issue.

I am sure Mazda had a healthy check list to determine battery performance, we thought it was practical and logical to tap into their endorsement.

To me 22lbs extra for the power of an Optima would have to be supported by some pretty substantial evidence before I would dismiss the Miata battery.

Regards

Hayden

thomschoon · 03-08-2004, 07:28 PM

It comes with the box and hardware, very nicely done

thomschoon · 03-08-2004, 07:37 PM

I went and cut holes in mine for a battery switch and longacre racing battery posts so i can use my charger or jump it easily. They were left over from another project, and well I butchered a very nice piece of work to put them in. Here it is sitting in the hole ready to tighten up. I also used a longacre racing bulkhead fitting versus pulling the cable through the firewall, otherwise I followed the instructions posted here on the Pelican BBS.

rhk109 · 03-09-2004, 04:51 AM

Sweet install. Can't wait to get mine. If any one is interested I started a thread Sunday regarding a group but on the battery box and miata battery. We still need a few more people. Do a search on Wevo Battery Box

mjshira · 03-09-2004, 07:49 AM

very smooth! me like!

James