Batt. in Smugglers box question
 

Hi,
I'm going to install a battery relocation kit from Rennline. Question is: Has anyone relocated the grounding post to this area? If so, where did you put it? I don't have the kit yet but I'm doing a lot of cutting and welding. Also, if you do have the kit but didn't move/install a new ground post, where could you put one?
Thanks much

I used a welded stud that protrudes from the passenger side of the rear of the smugglers box for the ground. I DID relocate the positive post to the area which used to be occupied by the battery. In this manner, I only had to run a thick cable from the battery to the post and all of the original fuse connections did not have to be extended. I did shorten the starter cable and relocate to the battery within the smugglers box. Pretty simple - just fish back under the drivers floorboard and up through a vent hole...

If you look closely you can see in the picture below:http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1264115126.jpg

I used one of the bolts that secure the clamp for the steering shaft assembly that resides within the smugglers box. Follow the white battery leads in this picture:

<img src="http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/6843/pict0002lb.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>

Just what I was looking for... thanks.
The only other question I have is: Did you cut off the three bolts protruding from the pass. footwell and the other two protruding from the wheel house? (presumably for A/C) Also there are some vents that could be welded shut and a cable tidy (metal strap near the three bolts) Did you do anything with them?
On aside note: NICE trunk! Very tidy.

I see... you got the cut switch. I wasn't going to get it but I bet it makes repairs much easier.
Thanks again.

Kinda off topic but for early cars where Porsche saw fit to purposely put TWO batteries in the front wings is there a degradation in handling when moving to a single batt. in the smuggler box?

If the car is otherwise stock replacing the two and moving the battery would have an effect.
You may or may not be able to feel it. But maybe it's not enough to worry about.

In my own car I can tell if the spare tyre is in place or not.

It's not a stark difference.... but it is noticeable to me.
It's hard to explain but the front end feels a bit lighter when pushing hard through the corners.
Also If I'm accelerating out of a corner it can feel just that little bit more wayward... Loose almost but not dangerous.

Don't get me wrong. It's not a bad feeling but it is noticeable.

Here's a shot of my smuggler's box battery installation. I used a Rennline cradle and welded a stud outside of the box and secure the ground cable with a wingnut - just like Porsche used to. The cutoff switch is mounted on the stock box cover.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1264121446.jpg

Why do you put the battery in the smugglers box? Weight distribution?

yes - it affects the polar moment of inertia

Of course.

I thought that by taking the weight from in front of the front wheels and moving it further back would have a negative effect on our Weight heavy rear end cars?

You're undoubtedly more or less correct, but I think mass centralization is the key. As well, switching out the 50 pound battery for one that weight a quarter of that and moving it closer to the center of the car is good for overall weight distribution.

Here is another install.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1264173625.jpg

The master kill is under the lid. In this case intended more for security than safety.

Where did you get the bracket for your battery disconnect switch?

We just made it to fit out of flat stock. Need to set it down deep enough for clearance.

More effect on SWB (Short Wheelbase -68) cars. Porsche put lead weights in the corners of the front bumpers early on (12 lb. in each front corner under the turn signals?), used two for weight distribution.

Lengthening the wheelbase in '69 helped greatly; effectively decreasing the polar moment in the rear.

Same here, but I used black cable.:D

Smuggler's box was originally designed to hold the webasto gasoline powered heater on the early cars but that was a rarely spec'd option.