alextangent Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I want to move the battery out from underneath the carbs on my xflow. There's plenty of room on the passenger side in the engine bay, and I think it's far enough away from the exhaust not to cook the battery (or it could be shielded). The cables would need to be rerouted, but they actually might end up a bit shorter. What have other people done, and what kind of tray/fixings have been used? Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS in bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molecular--Bob Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I de-heatered mine and put the battery there in a K-series battery holder attached to a flat bit of sheet that covers the heater holes (old style flat box heater), using the original cables. I have seen them over the end of the passenger foot well or on top of it as well. You could retain the below carb mounting but use one of the dry cell race batteries, as you can slide these in around the lower rails with a bit of dexterity. Still need to take a carb off to get the old one out, but you will be doing this anyway unless you plan to leave it in situ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I took the battery carrier off of the bottom rail (drilled out the rivets) and moved it to where the heater normally sits. Its a much better place for it in terms of convenience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 In terms of a battery cover I went to my local hardware store and looked at loads of shallow plastic storage boxes (the type you use in the kitchen to store food) and found one exactly the right size for the battery. Fitted it over the battery and dumped the boxes lid . Saved plenty over the cost of a proper one which is little different. Edited by - Graham Perry on 6 Feb 2008 16:48:09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy couchman Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 In the boot in a battery box. Helps improve the weight distribution but means long wires to the front of the car and it's above the fuel tank, so quite high up. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Stainless steel battery tray on top of the passenger footwell. It's been there for the last 8 years Chris Alston C7CAT 1800 Supersprint R248.89 ....and then I jumped in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Mine is exactly where you mention, sideways on just in front of the passenger footwell. I have the standard rear exit exhaust if that makes any difference, and I have not noticed the electrolyte level dropping significantly. Cheers, Graham --- Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezky Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 If your car is a DeDion chassis it is said you cannot get the battery out without removing the engine LA car is no problem to get out ( you will have to jack the car up though) As for positioning, I moved mine in front of the passenger footwell. It has not been cooked yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Farmer Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I have a 1988 Xflow and the battery sits on a plate resting on the bottom frame immediately in front of the passenger footwell. It is strapped in with an aluminium strap fixed to the front of the passenger footwell. The oil breather catch tank is fixed just above the battery. It is easy to access and remove and I have not (touch wood) experienced any problems with it being close to the exhaust (rear exit exhaust). Being very low down helps with the CG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I'll move to the passenger side and relocate the existing tray. Good to know they don't cook down there. 🤔I don't have a problem getting my battery in and out with carbs in place; I plug up the overflow hole, and with a bit of wiggling can slide it out. I thought that's what everyone did 🤔 Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS in bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I'm still in the build process (2007 Caterham Classic/Duratec 2.3) but I have removed the scuttle battery tray and binned the CC-supplied battery. I now have an Odyssey dry cell mounted down low, in front of the driver's footwell (on the intake, lhd side) in an aluminium bracket bought from Summit Racing, a USA parts supplier. I will install remote pos and neg terminals and a battery cutoff switch in front of the scuttle, so I can charge or check the battery easily without having to get under the intake manifold to remove it. Hope it all works as planned.... Alaskossie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenhawk Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Stainless steel tray on top of passenger footwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Mines where the heater use to be, of its not a crossflow and a big freedom battery here here I made the tray from aluminium plate see photo the retaining strap may look the wrong way round but no scrutineers been able to move it and they have tried 😬 'Can you hear me running' ......... OH YES and its music to my ears 😬 😬 😬 1988 200 bhp, 146 ft lbs, 1700cc Cosworth BD? engineered by Roger King, on Weber's with Brooklands and Clamshell wings, Freestyle Motorsport suspension. Edited by - Bilbo on 8 Feb 2008 21:31:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 The battery is out , and the tray looks in a terrible state , all corroded and moth eaten. And I still want to relocate it to the passenger footwell, so now is a good time. The battery is a 30Ah, 300A bike battery, W/H/D 18cm/18cm/13cm. Ideally it would be a box that I could secure to the lower rails and bolt through the passenger footwell. But I can't find a battery box or tray that's the right dimensions on t'internet ☹️. Any suggestions? *confused* Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS in bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molecular--Bob Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 You could fold up a tray out of thin stainless, and use a clamp from vehicle Wiring products here, Or get one fabed in alloy, such as here. These guys will fabricate to your size requirements for not much more. I have used them for a couple of things and found them very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 Thanks Bob; these guys sound ideal. As a supplementary question, what physical size of battery do most folks run when it's not under the carbs? Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS in bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molecular--Bob Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Mine is a K-series sized Varta one as it fits in a K-series tray. The only difference is that the lugs are reversed. Seems to keep my old crossflow happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Assuming that it is the standard Caterham battery, CC do the whole tray and strap for only a few schekles. Cheers, Graham --- Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Mcalvert Posted February 11, 2008 Leadership Team Share Posted February 11, 2008 I have a brand new Caterham one sitting unused in my garage. Yours for cost of postage plus a bit to NTL if you are interested... Regards Michael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks Michael, offer appreciated . However, I was out last night, and the battery (which I removed at the weekend and topped up) has developed a leak from the top seam; probably explains why there's some damage in the tray (not the alloy one, the one underneath that). I'm going the Powervamp route; I'd be interested in a bulk buy Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS in bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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