2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Battery relocation on a right hand drive - question

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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 06:16 AM
  #1  
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Battery relocation on a right hand drive - question

So!
I'm in the process of relocating the battery, and I'm wondering if anyone knows the best place to poke the positive cable through the fire wall on a left hand drive.

The aircon etc seems to be in the way of the wiring loom rubber grommet that the left hand drives use, although there is this little hole that goes through to the wheel well...


Comparison of left hand drive models...



Then once in the wheel well it can go up through here...



Is it a good idea to run it through the wheel well bearing in mind that it will have the plastic guards in place?

Also the firewall hole that its poked through in my pic above is tight, would it be at risk of cutting into the cable?

Its 1:35am here so have been working solid on the car for about 12 hours, please forgive me if its an obvious answer.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 11:39 AM
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I have my boost controller line running through that hole on my 10th AE, on the other side of course and it has been fine.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by BurritoBut
Is it a good idea to run it through the wheel well bearing in mind that it will have the plastic guards in place?
Why would you run a heavy battery cable through the wheel well? It needs to go to the starter. Then go from the starter to the main fuse block and alternator. (Using stock gauge #8-10 AWG wire.)

Also the firewall hole that its poked through in my pic above is tight, would it be at risk of cutting into the cable?
Any time you run wire through a metal surface, you should use a grommet.

Let me repeat:

ANY TIME YOU RUN A WIRE THROUGH A METAL SURFACE, YOU SHOULD USE A GROMMET.

This is a car you're working on. While you're working on it, it's parked... But think of it as it's moving and going through the weather outside.

It vibrates and gets jounced around. Movement will wear through the insulation over time.
It gets hot. Heat will soften the insulation and make cutting easier.
It gets cold. Cold will make the insulation stiffer and possibly brittle.
It gets moist. The metal edge could rust and become rough.
Heaven forbid, you wreck it and the metal pinches on the wire.

Cutting into the wire is a VERY REAL DANGER.


Not only should you use a grommet, you should use zip ties to immobilize the wire a few inches from the location where it passes through the metal surface.

If the insulation fails, then the grommet will protect the wire. If the grommet fails, then hopefully the zip ties will keep it centered in the hole so it doesn't touch the edges.

If that heavy gauge battery cable touches the metal, you will burn your car to the ground.
Grommets and zip ties cost only a few cents each, you'll be out less than two dollars. There's really no excuse not to use them.

Just in case you missed it the first time:

ANY TIME YOU RUN A WIRE THROUGH A METAL SURFACE, YOU SHOULD USE A GROMMET.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 06:44 PM
  #4  
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From: Mesquite, TX-DFW
Originally Posted by Pele
Why would you run a heavy battery cable through the wheel well? It needs to go to the starter. Then go from the starter to the main fuse block and alternator. (Using stock gauge #8-10 AWG wire.)



Any time you run wire through a metal surface, you should use a grommet.

Let me repeat:

ANY TIME YOU RUN A WIRE THROUGH A METAL SURFACE, YOU SHOULD USE A GROMMET.

This is a car you're working on. While you're working on it, it's parked... But think of it as it's moving and going through the weather outside.

It vibrates and gets jounced around. Movement will wear through the insulation over time.
It gets hot. Heat will soften the insulation and make cutting easier.
It gets cold. Cold will make the insulation stiffer and possibly brittle.
It gets moist. The metal edge could rust and become rough.
Heaven forbid, you wreck it and the metal pinches on the wire.

Cutting into the wire is a VERY REAL DANGER.


Not only should you use a grommet, you should use zip ties to immobilize the wire a few inches from the location where it passes through the metal surface.

If the insulation fails, then the grommet will protect the wire. If the grommet fails, then hopefully the zip ties will keep it centered in the hole so it doesn't touch the edges.

If that heavy gauge battery cable touches the metal, you will burn your car to the ground.
Grommets and zip ties cost only a few cents each, you'll be out less than two dollars. There's really no excuse not to use them.

Just in case you missed it the first time:

ANY TIME YOU RUN A WIRE THROUGH A METAL SURFACE, YOU SHOULD USE A GROMMET.
Quoting for posterity.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 08:11 PM
  #5  
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Ok, I got it the first time. Sheesh.

I'm running the cable to where the factory terminal is.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 08:41 PM
  #6  
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Done.

Rubber and all


It runs through where the moisture drain line for the aircon poked through.
Have just extended the line to the hole in the original post (will be getting one continuous tube when I head to the shops again.) Luckily the hole is lower than the beginning so it will work fine.
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