2 Batteries or 1? Where to relocate for best weight distribution?

[collier]

As one of my battery boxes is showing signs of acid wear, I am contemplating removing the dual battery boxes and going with a single battery set-up.

Are there some rules to accomplishing this?
Is there an advantage to doing this?
I know that if I get rid of the battery boxes, I will be able to run some very effective brake ducts
Where are most people mounting their single battery? Smuggler's box?

Is there a weight benefit to moving the battery, and going with a single installed unit?

Thanks to all who can help.

chris

[Oldporsche]

I think that a lot of people just tape up the battery leads on the right side and stick the old VW battery into the battery box on the left. They make some sort of retainer for the thing and let it go.

I have a '70 and will try to put one in or somewhat close to the right side box. This will give weight to offset the left side bias from the driver.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[tobluforu]

On my 72, i got rid of the 2 old batteries. Mounted an optima as far forward in the trunk. Almost under the where the hood latches.

[Joeaksa]

Chris,

The last thing you need is to move weight futher back in the car. The large lump in the back of the car called the motor does a very fine job of that already and you need to offset this by getting everything possible forward.

Going with a single battery and putting it in the right front of the car will do the most for shifting the weight forward and will also partially offset the drivers weight.

Remember to corner balance the car after you move all this around if you are doing any track work or push the car hard.

[Early_S_Man]

The 'HOT' lead to the second battery is very easily disconnected by loosening the two M6 clamping bolts on the left-side positiive battery connector ... a good time to clean the connector and main battery cable end, too! Leaving the hot lead connected ... even if tapped by 10 layers of tape ... is leaving a time bomb ticking in your trunk!!! Ask Jack Olsen what damage a loose battery cable can do late at night in the middle of nowhere!

Any 'VW low profile' battery, such as Group 41, 42, or 49, can be used in the left battery box with some extent sticking out where the tool kit, jack, and charcoal cannister (if equipped) may normally reside. None of the above -- to your survey/poll!!!

[RLJ]

I don't have Warren's memory but I think I bought a longer strap from Porsche, I think the part was 912, it lets me use an Gruppe 49 or Optima in the left front battery pocket. I laid the Optima battery on it' s side and the strap fit very well.

Randy Jones
1971 911

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

The factory used the left bucket in the RSH to save as much weight as possibe but most race cars had the battery on the passenger side ot in the front depending on the fuel cell and other stuff.
The Battery in the impactzone can become a problem on race and rallye cars as some slight hits can end in a craked housing and then the race is over even if the damage would allowed to drive on. ( This was also a reason for twin battery setup.

Grüsse

[Jim Smolka]

On the later 911's they have installed the single battery on the LH side front corner. I think this weight offsets the weight of the oil tank in the RR section of the car.