Info on boot battery install.

[Lewie]

Hey gurus. Can someone point me in the direction of a write up on how to recloate my battery to the boot of my car? I've searched for a while now and haven't really found what I am after.

I have an 83 VH so the closer to this model i can get the less I'll have to guess. Just a handy link will be fine but any info would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[DANNY8]

Wat sort of info do ya need?

Chuck the battery in the boot using a battery box, secure it. Run some fat cables (I used 2x 4ga cables) to the starter motor, then run a 4ga cable from the starter to the alternator, and yeah pretty much anything that was on ur positive battery terminal goes onto the starter....altho ya might wanna run a distribution block so it doesn't get messy.

[Lewie]

Wat sort of info do ya need?

Chuck the battery in the boot using a battery box, secure it. Run some fat cables (I used 2x 4ga cables) to the starter motor, then run a 4ga cable from the starter to the alternator, and yeah pretty much anything that was on ur positive battery terminal goes onto the starter....altho ya might wanna run a distribution block so it doesn't get messy.

Thanks for that info Danny. What you've put there helps. I have no idea what a "4ga"cable is though but I guess is I went to an autoelec they's give me what I'm after. I can move the battery and secure it in a box in the boot no worries. What would I need to ensure to do or traps that an engineer will pick up on or specifically look at in regards to position of the box, type of box, routing of cables and retention method (assuming rubber insulated clamps) and can I drill/rivet them into the chassis? The cable going to the starter then alternator is the positive? What about a distribution block? Are they so the terminal on the starter dosen't get too cluttered with connections that would normally be on the positive?

[DANNY8]

Ah u need it to be legal.....I'm prolly not the best person to ask them lol....I live in SA and we don't get our cars checked out unless we get pulled over and get a bad cop lol.

I think technically ya need to vent ur battery box, which means you'd need a sealed box. But if u get a maintenance free battery ya might be ok as I don't think they vent, not 100% sure. I'd have it in a battery box, and have a battery clamp inside the box, so drill holes in the bottom of the box for the battery clamp. Yeah the 2 4ga (stereo cable...not the best option but works ok for me) cables are 12v, which go to the big post on ur starter. Your starter draws the most current which is why u need 2 of the cables to run to it (if u use welding cable u would prolly get away with 1 cable). And the 4ga cable from the alternator to ur starter, means ur system will keep charging. As for earths, just put a few into the body of ur car.

A distribution block mean u can run a smaller fat cable from the starter to the distro block, and it has multiple outlets on it. But ya don't need one of them either really.

Here's some pics of my setup in my wagon. I ran 3 cables, but yeah tried 2 first and it started no worries with only the 2.

Not mounted yet, just floating around while I got it in and working.


Some earthing points.


My old battery box and cables.


How I have the cables running through the back.




Without the split tubing...just to get a pic.


And yeah that's pretty much it.

[vn_v6]

is it possible jsut to run 1 thick cable to the terminal wires under the bonnet? instead of the multiple ones?

[Dayvo]

Doesn't the VE have the battery in the boot ? Maybe have a look at one them to get some ideas

[DANNY8]

Doesn't the VE have the battery in the boot ? Maybe have a look at one them to get some ideas

I'm pretty sure one of the recalls was coz their batteries kept going flat. Might not have been a recall, but just a minor fix when they came in for the first service.

Yeah a single cable can be used as long as it's decent enough. Not sure wat size it would have to be tho (maybe speak to a sparky). Welding cable is wat a lot of people use. I once saw a 180sx with it's battery in the back, and it only had 1 8ga cable going from the front to the back .:P

[Lewie]

is it possible jsut to run 1 thick cable to the terminal wires under the bonnet? instead of the multiple ones?

That's what I was wondering. Surely you could. Might look a little tidier. I'm in SA at the moment but moving to NSW at the start of next year. What do you guys think? Should I do it now or will the NSW inspectors throw a shit fit when I change the rego over.

[VYMAD]

Why would you want to go to the bother of putting the battery in the boot anyway????

[Lewie]

Why would you want to go to the bother of putting the battery in the boot anyway????

I want to tidy up the engine bay and I think that putting the battery on the boot will go a long way towards that. It has the old 202 in there at the moment but a V8 will be going in there someday soon hopefully. Although my VH is my daily driver it is also my hobby and I like trying new things.

Plus I like learning how to do this sort of thing. It may not work for me but at least I've given it a go and, hopefully, I can take something away from the experience.

[ari666]

mate, the wire to the starter will have to be pretty fat due to the current drawn when the starter is cranking. skimp on that wire and you will be seeing your carpet catch fire before too long.
i personally would run one fat-arse wire to the starter and anoter thinner one to a junction in the fusebox where your relays etc can get a decent battery + from. then run the alternator wire to join the starter.

itll keep your engine bay wires neat, and is the way i am going to do it when i can be effed'