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battery relocation ok for HPDE?

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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 11:16 AM
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battery relocation ok for HPDE?

My battery died and I wanted to relocate it to the pass bin. Of course I plan on bolting it down. Are there any regs that prohibit this that you guys know of? I've contacted 2 places, but haven't heard back and I need to do my battery this weekend.

Thanks for the info.
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 11:19 AM
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A buddy of mine has his relocated and hasn't had any problems with HPDE's.
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 11:19 AM
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As long as the battery is properly restrained in a battery box you're fine. Realize that if the battery is inside the passenger compartment they should insist that either the battery be a completely sealed type, or that the battery is in a completely enclosed box that vents outside the passenger compartment.

I tech inspect cars all the time and 80% of the problems I see are improperly mounted (as in not mounted at all!) batteries...
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 12:40 PM
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Thumbs up Battery relocate

I purchased an Odessy battery It's the size of a Harley Davidson motorcycle battery and had a freind make a ss box for it and a strap !

I'ts ware the stock battery was.

I did this for the upgraded intercooler and I did not want to hack up my Bins.
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 01:51 PM
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Make sure ANY exposed (+) positive terminals are covered.
Cheap way to do this is cut a piece of radiator hose and strap it down for security.


-Ted
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 03:11 PM
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From: nyc+li, ny
Originally Posted by DamonB
As long as the battery is properly restrained in a battery box you're fine. Realize that if the battery is inside the passenger compartment they should insist that either the battery be a completely sealed type, or that the battery is in a completely enclosed box that vents outside the passenger compartment.

I tech inspect cars all the time and 80% of the problems I see are improperly mounted (as in not mounted at all!) batteries...

I plan on using an Optima battery. Does it really need to be in an enclosed box? I do plan on covering the terminal posts also.

I was planning on placing it into the passenger side bin and then putting a cover over the battery to the sides of the bin. Kinda making a shortened bin so I could potentially use whatever few inches I have there to maybe put some CDs. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks all for the input
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 03:35 PM
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If the battery is sealed it does not need to be in an enclosed box; a tray is fine.

If you do not have the battery physically tied down to the solid structure of the car with a battery hold down device you will (if you don't, you should) get into trouble. If you want to install the battery in the bin this means you cut the bottom of the bin out and install a tray that is bolted to the chassis. You then place the battery in the tray and hold it in place with a strap or hold down designed for the purpose. If those rules are met you can do whatever else to the bin you like.
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 04:17 PM
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As long as the battery is secure, I don't think a battery box is required - although I would highly recommend one.

NASA techs are more worried about exposed (+) terminals, so make sure they are all covered and secure.


-Ted
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by DamonB
If the battery is sealed it does not need to be in an enclosed box; a tray is fine.

If you do not have the battery physically tied down to the solid structure of the car with a battery hold down device you will (if you don't, you should) get into trouble. If you want to install the battery in the bin this means you cut the bottom of the bin out and install a tray that is bolted to the chassis. You then place the battery in the tray and hold it in place with a strap or hold down designed for the purpose. If those rules are met you can do whatever else to the bin you like.

I take it a well secured sealed battery to the plastic bin itself isn't sufficent...so it must be to the chassis itself. Bummer, I'm trying really hard not to cut the bin.
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 05:49 PM
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I didn't want to hack my bin up either so I ran the battery back and mounted it under the rear strut bar on the passenger side. You should be able to get a battery box/tray/cable/etc all at a Kragen or Autozone. You don't need to go out and buy a kit.

The thing I'm looking for now is a cut off switch I can mount on the rear of the car maybe through a small hole in the license plate or out rear bumper next to there. The only ones I've found so far are BIG which I suppose is good if somebody is trying to find it to pull it but its also bad since we're talking big hole on street car.
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Old Aug 7, 2004 | 01:13 PM
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I just have an Optima Battery in the bin behind the passenger seat. I had to cut some small slits in the bottom of the bin so I could properly attach straps to the body of the car. The battery just sits in the bin (such a tight fit it can't go anywhere but up anyway) and then I strap it in place and lock the bin closed. So far I haven't had any problems with this set up at track days but I imagine I might if I was doing some kind of sanctioned racing. The good thing is that the battery is very secure and all I had do to the bins is cut two small slits in the bottom... easy repaired if you want to go back to stock.
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