Battery location

JWest · 09-05-2002, 08:16 AM

What do you think is the best spot for the battery in a 914?

In my last car I stuck it in the rear trunk. By battery box was looking scruffy and I wanted the battery out of the rain. I was able to just run the factory positive cable through the plastic plug in the front of the trunk and the targa top would still fit over the battery when stowed.

Now with Optima batteries the stock location is looking OK again. But what about up front? I am a little leary to shift that much weight to the front with the effect on handling it might have.

What are your opinions on this?

campbellcj · 09-05-2002, 10:12 AM

What's rain?

Just kidding... IMHO the best locations are either inside a marine-quality sealed box on the passenger floor (race car) or the front trunk, passenger side. As low and close to the center of the car as possible.

JWest · 09-05-2002, 10:27 AM

Rain, yes, that was back in college and the 914 was my only, perfectly reliable car, with carbs, no less!

According to common wisdom on this board I know that it should never have started and if it did would probably not get out of the parking lot before breaking or getting out of tune, but it worked for me!

J P Stein · 09-05-2002, 10:35 AM

How'sa bout anywhere BUT the engine room.
The racey place is the front trunk. The easy place is the rear trunk.

campbellcj · 09-05-2002, 10:35 AM

I must confess, I drove my former ravenna car in the rain a couple of times. It worked quite well, except for the very marginal defroster.

Once, though, the relay board got damp and she refused to start. Gotta keep things dry in there.

Brant · 09-05-2002, 12:44 PM

James....

moving the weight to the front will improve the handling.... getting every ounce out of the rear end is a good thing...

brant

philinjax · 09-05-2002, 01:08 PM

I like the rear trunk, right hand side. This position still is not too
different from the stock position (balances out the driver's weight). Additionally, the front trunk location, although best for transfer of car weight balance forward adds the significant weight of the proper copper, #4 (I think) cable, therefore, greater overall weight of the car.
Phil

Of course, one could use aluminum cable???

Brad Roberts · 09-05-2002, 01:38 PM

You guys are on crack.

Put it back in the stock location.

The trunk is the cop out to having a new tray and triangle installed.

The front will require more work than having a new tray installed with all the wiring changes.

The absolute best spot is right where the passengers ass would be...or a few inches forward.

This was a topic review correct ?? lol

My favorite is when you show up to a AutoX or some competition event and they GIG you for moving the battery from the stock location and throw you into some wicked class.

B

J P Stein · 09-05-2002, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brad Roberts
You guys are on crack.

My favorite is when you show up to a AutoX or some competition event and they GIG you for moving the battery from the stock location and throw you into some wicked class.

B

Oh, no....not a wicked class........plaaaaleeze.

How are "THEY" going to react to slicks?
Being as I'm already in FP (SCCA) & GTO (PCA)......what, me worry?

No cop out here.
My battery tray was in good shape....before I eviserated the SOB.
Removing the battery really opens up the access to the engine and the "hell hole". That alone is worth the price of admission, IMO.

You SW boys must not see what that Gawd awful location does to cars in rainy country. I see it all to often......914s daid before their time.

Brad Roberts · 09-05-2002, 02:06 PM

I agree it helps with the 6, but he didnt specify what car.

I dont use dizzy's in any of the cars..so getting to it doesnt bother me.

JeeeeZZus. I think I'm becoming Concourse Weenie as I get older.

B

JWest · 09-05-2002, 02:09 PM

Brant - you sure about that? This isn't a 911. Is it really more desirable to try get rid of rear weight bias in a rear wheel drive car?

I am sincerely asking - race classes are no concern for me - (but the info is great because they are important to many)

JWest · 09-05-2002, 02:11 PM

Brad - quit being a CW.

Brad Roberts · 09-05-2002, 02:16 PM

James,

I dont know what has come over me.

I think its because we have 3 factory 9146's in the shop right now and I just put a new battery tray and triangle in the 3.2 car.

B

JWest · 09-05-2002, 02:20 PM

That might do it...

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

My 2 concerns with moving the battery to either trunk are:

#1 Acid spill in an enclosed area (Now you rot out the trunk floor

#2 H2 buildup in an enclosed space

There is a reason batteries have been left in "open" areas on the car. You don't want explosive gas buildup in an enclosed area. Solution? Battery cover and acid mat under the battery.

Oh and a sealed battery helps too!

James

JWest · 09-05-2002, 03:36 PM

While I wanted to get some input even though I am probably going for the stock location, I disagree with your points.

1) If it is moved to the trunk, most people use an enclosed box.

2) There is proof of gas buildup not being a concern in enclosed areas of cars - VW bugs and Corvettes to name two.

campbellcj · 09-05-2002, 03:59 PM

All kinds of new cars have their batteries stashed away in enclosures vs. the engine compartment. My M3 had its battery under the rear trunk floor someplace (I never even saw it).

Comment on those "acid mats" -- don't!

Think about it. When it gets wet, it's a sponge sitting there holding a bunch of moisture against your sheet metal, until it dries out which could be weeks. I got some rust pitting on a brand new tray within months due to one of those things (and I live in SoCal).

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

#1 Acid spill in an enclosed area (Now you rot out the trunk floor

#2 H2 buildup in an enclosed space

Solution? Battery cover and acid mat under the battery.

Silly question for you--
How is an acid spill in the open different from one in the trunk?

Solution: Battery box that is vented to the outside. All it takes is a hole in the box, some vinyl tubing, and a hole in the body. Plus some paint (for the hole in the body) and some RTV around the tubing. No buildup of gases, plus if any acid leaks it should spill out of the tube.

Then again, I have my Optima mounted in the stock battery tray. I don't feel any real need to move it. I just wish it were lighter...

--DD

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I think those cars are exceptions rather than the rule (And the 911 too!). On the turbomachinery I used to work on, we had enclosures for the batteries, but positively ventilated specifically to prevent buildup of H2 gas and to keep acid away from other vital components. If the ventilation failed, an alarm would go off. The older systems, the batteries we're in a covered outside rack.

_I_ for one will not put a battery, sealed or otherwise, in an enclosed space.

James

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Sheesh we submitted at the same time. To me, the battery is a maintenace thing. Cover it to keep water from washing the acid into places we don't want it. Vent it so that gasses don't build up. I use a mat to neutralize the spills and I place those little round deals under the terminals.

Where you put it is up to you. Most of the relo's I've seen they have simply moved and mounted the battery, no attention to these details.

You're right Dave. If you do it right, you can put it anywhere.

James

(Wow - re-read the posts - this is almost a religious issue)