So I'm looking through the New Products section of the clubfc3s.com website and I see this new battery box they are designing. Are there any other companies out there that make a drop in kit like this that is battery specific? The posts come through the sides on this kit. It is pretty trick. Here is a couple of the pics of it from their site.





It comes with everything, and they offer it even with a battery.

 

Here is a link.

http://clubfc3s.com/iboard/index.php?act=ST&f=18&t=587&

 

is this for the stock location or a relocation box?

 

The box alone - $179.99 + shipping
Complete kit to wire into the car using your own Optima Batters - $259 + shipping
Complete kit including Optima Battery $359 + shipping

Ill take the Walmart marine battery box for $8 please

 

That much for a friggin' battery box? Sheesh. Since when do gel cels need battery boxes anyway? They should only need hold downs since they don't emit noxious fumes.

 

Yeah that is a LOT for just some box with their name on it. :-/

Why not make your own? the Red top is sealed so it won't melt down your car if you happen to hit something.

 

Actually that battery box is one of the best I have ever seen.

The sealed metal case design does three things:

#1 prevents the battery from getting as warm as heat distroys batteries.

#2 added protecting in an accident (including roll overs when the battery is relocated and not mounted correctly- may be the relocator will actually bolt that case through the floor, like it should be).

#3 prevents the battery from leaking acid into the car or engine compartment (and anyone that says that the optima red gel cell doesn't leak or vent fumes is clueless and has never used one for long term- they vent everytime they get charged though those filters in the top corners).

 

I have used an Optima Red Top for 2 years and I have never found any deposits or fluids from the battery. If yours does, I would suggest having it replaced.

Besides, I'll trust a $30 police spec vented battery box over that overpriced name plate any day. I wonder how many safety certifications that thing has?

I don't think a giant hunk of aluminum is quite going to protect the battery from heat either, maybe for a few minutes, but the temps will quickly match the ambient underhood temps.

 

Actually, I don't waste my money on redtop's anymore. But I have installed and replaced them for almost 15 years and don't consider them the least bit superior to any other heavy duty battery and in many high demand cases worse.

Tape off the filters in the corners and start charging the battery... watch the sides expand. I guess that means they don't vent eh???

It is also common to see the redtops leak around the posts if the terminals have been improperly tightened (apparently a very common thing for the average backyard-shade tree mechanic). Not something I have done, but I sure have seen more than a few. Overcharging one pretty much guaranties that they will leak as well.

And 2 years is pretty borderline usage. Try using them in automotive use for 4 or 5 years and tell me they don't vent or leak.

 

Those of us who actually compete with our cars need to have sealed and vented boxes when the battery is relocated, no matter what type of battery is used. SCCA and NHRA have similar rules, but NHRA tracks require a cut off switch as well.

That's a nice box, but I've already got a box for when my battery gets relocated. I got a SPA battery box from Pegasus Racing. It's tougher than you think to find a box that will fit in the bins perfectly.

 

Go to walmart, buy a personal size cooler that fits your battery size, Bolts/fender washers through the bottom to secure it, three marine grommets in the side, one for each wire, and one for the vent hose. Ratcheting hold downs around the cooler to secure the top(could also go through the floor pan and around the cooler instead of the bolt down option). Automotive weather strip if you require a completely sealed box.
Insulated/easy/cheap/strong/clean looking/no chance of shorting against the box.
If someone wanted, they could market the kit to convert coolers to battery boxes, with the end user supplying the cooler. Carl Byck

 

Can't say that I have ever seen any of the symptoms that you speak of. maybe they do vent, but you certainly don't need a nearly $200 box to solve that problem. There are lots of boxes that should fit our bins.

 

Well I talked to Craig there today, and asked him some questions about it. It does bolt through the floor with 4 bolts. It is also legal to use in SCCA, NASA and IHRA events. It is made from cast aluminum and will withstand an impact far greater than a plastic box would even begin to. It is battery specific, so the fit is perfect versus a universal box. If I would have wanted a rubbermaid tote bin I could get one, but I am looking for something that I can buy once and be done without ever having to worry about it. I thought the price was reasonable compared to other AL boxes that are jagged, square and not battery specific. I don't know, I guess I am just more impressed with a finished product rather than universal parts.

Does anyone else make one for our cars that is car specific? That was the original question Thanks for the input though. We just have different opinions on buying quality parts.