I will be mounting my battery this weekend in the back of my car because there is no more room up front because of my FMIC piping. I am going to be doing alot of drag racing this season and was wondering if I needed one of those switches drag racers put in the rear of there car to cut the juice?

Thanks,

Brian

 

You planning on running faster than 10.99?



-Ted

 

It would be nice but I highly doubt it. Is it only needed if you run faster than a 10.99?

 

If I remember my NHRA rules, yeah.&nbsp Anyone else can confirm?



-Ted

 

IIRC it's for any car modified to have the battery in the trunk. (I don't think it applies to cars that have it in the trunk/under the back seat originally) No matter how fast you are.

I've never been tech'ed at a dragstrip before, all they seem to care about is that i given them my $10 a night, and they watch cars pulling into the burnout box to make sure they're not leaking anything... I guess it just all depends on how ****-retentive your track is.

 

That's alright, I found it poking around the NHRA website...

Click "Imports" and then "Download official NHRA rules".

"8:4 MASTER CUT-OFF
Mandatory when battery is relocated or on any vehicle running 10.99 or quicker."

Well, if you moved you battery I guess it's required, but most techs won't care until to past the magical 10.99 index from my experience.



-Ted

 

but it will have to be a gel battery like a red top. other wise you need a box around it.

 

Not necessarily...&nbsp If it's a normal, wet-cell type, the container needs to be a sealed type.

"8:1 BATTERIES
All batteries must be securely mounted. Batteries may not be reloated into the driver of passenger compartments. Rear firewall of .024-inch steel or .032-inch aluminum (including package tray) required when battery is relocated in trunk. In lieu of rear firewall, battery may be located in a sealed .024-inch steel, .032-inch aluminum, or NHRA-accepted poly box. If sealed box is used in lieu of rear firewall, box may not be used to secure battery and must be vented outside of body. Relocted battery(s) must be fastened to frame of frame structure with a minimum of two 3/8-inch diameter bolts. ("J" hooks prohibited or must have open end welded shut.) Metal battery hold-down straps mandatory. Strapping tape prohibited."

There's no mention of using gel cell batteries anywhere in the provision...



-Ted

 

If its not an NHRA track you're running at, don't bother

 

I thoguht that with a gel battery you didn't need the box? they can't leak or exploid. thats why I said you either need a red top or a box.

 

otherwise battery goes kaboom ??

 

you crash. the battery is dripping acid. onto YOU. and you're wishing you spent the $40 for a sealed unit...

or...

You're charging the battery. Hydrogen gas is building up inside the car. A relay clicks, or something else makes a spark. BOOM.

I've also seen batteries explode internally... it looks COOL but hate to be around when it happens.

Are gel-cell batteries guaranteed to never, ever explode? I know they don't leak, or produce gasses.

 

Irregardless of battery type, the NHRA rules are rules.
You try and argue with the NHRA official on this point...



-Ted

 

Switch does not need to be on the back of the car. Summit sells one that you can turn off at the battery positive terminal (I can get you a part number if you want...). Certain time levels require a rear mount switch, but it can stay in the car unless you're under 8.99 or so.
Sean Cathcart

 

If we're talking strict NHRA tech inspect, this is not true...
Expanding on rule 8:4 mentioned above...

"8:4 MASTER CUTOFF
Mandatory when battery is relocated or on any vehicle running 10.99 or quicker. An eectrical power cut-off switch (one only) must be installed on the rearmost part of each vehicle and be easily accessible from outside the car body. This cutoff switch must be connected to the positive side of the electrical system and must stop all electrical functions, including magneto ignition. The off position must be clearly indicated with the work "OFF." If the switch is "push/pull" type, "push" must be the action for shutting off the electrical system, "pull" to turn it on. Any rods of cables used to activate the switch must be minimum 1/8-inch diameter. Plastic or keyed switches are prohibited."

This is for safety reasons.&nbsp In case of an incident, the safety marshalls know EXACTLY where the electrical cut-off switch is and how to use it.&nbsp Rules are uniform to make safety a priority issue.

Again, if you have any questions, as the tech officials at the track for further info.



-Ted