Relocating battery

crashnscar · 09-15-2007, 03:27 PM

I don't really want to do a lightweight, because I daily drive the car and don't want to have to worry about having my battery die from having the car sit with the radio on for too long or something dumb like that. How long are the lightweight batteries supposed to last doing that and then being able to turn over the engine?

I think I am going to relocate the stock battery and put it either under the passenger seat or in the trunk (as close to the back seat as possible, not hanging way over the rear axle). I like the idea of under the passenger seat because it is in the middle of the car and just about the lowest point possible. I like the idea of in the trunk because it will help even more with the weight distribution.

What do all of you suggest doing? Which makes MORE sense to do?

***BoostJunkie*** · 09-15-2007, 04:57 PM

I have had good luck with my Odyssey PC680, which only weighs 15 lbs. I had the Braille 11.5 lb. before and it was pretty weak in the winter and eventually died altogether. I replaced it with the Odyssey and the car starts just like stock every time, even in the dead of winter. I have also left the stereo on for at least 30 minutes or so without the car running and it didn't drain at all. I'd definitely recommend this one, it's not as light as the Braille but it's much better suited to automotive applications. Relocating works but you end up adding overall weight because of the bracket and heavy wiring you need.

pharo · 09-15-2007, 04:58 PM

This is a great question because shedding 20 lbs would be great, but I wonder how good it would be for a daily driver.

Loubaru · 09-15-2007, 06:48 PM

I was thinking about relocation to help move some more weight to the rear. I would assume the benifits from improving the wait balance would out weigh the extra added weight.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 09-15-2007, 07:12 PM

here's my red top in a eddie marine billet tray sharing space with the fuel system.

ScubaSmith7599 · 09-15-2007, 07:22 PM

This under the seat thing reminds me of the VW Thing (google if you don't know what that is). The batteries were mounted underneath the rear seat, and if you had a lot of weight in the seat and went over a bump, the seat would make contact with both terminals and catch on fire. Consequently, also due to emissions and crash ratings, the Thing was only imported in 73 and 74. If you do that, please cover at least one terminal!

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 09-15-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSmith7599

If you do that, please cover at least one terminal!

thanks. i never thought of that. really.

JD_STI · 09-15-2007, 07:52 PM

Putting the battery inside the car just doesn't sound like a wise move. Neanderthal's setup looks real nice, I just don't know if the gains of moving the battery to the trunk will be great enough to offset the amount of weight you will add in wire.

I have a Braille that's 11.5lbs. Not too happy with it, it hasn't died or gone bad but the car just seems like it struggles when the rpm's drop under 700...the power stearing goes out for a split second a lot when parking. just seems like it needs more power. I think I'll put the OEM battery back in to confirm it is the battery causing this. The lights dimm a lot when starting the car. I wouldn't buy another Braille.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 09-15-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD_STI

Putting the battery inside the car just doesn't sound like a wise move.

bologna.

***BoostJunkie*** · 09-15-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD_STI

Putting the battery inside the car just doesn't sound like a wise move. Neanderthal's setup looks real nice, I just don't know if the gains of moving the battery to the trunk will be great enough to offset the amount of weight you will add in wire.

I have a Braille that's 11.5lbs. Not too happy with it, it hasn't died or gone bad but the car just seems like it struggles when the rpm's drop under 700...the power stearing goes out for a split second a lot when parking. just seems like it needs more power. I think I'll put the OEM battery back in to confirm it is the battery causing this. The lights dimm a lot when starting the car. I wouldn't buy another Braille.

Switch to the PC680, it's so much better and an extra 3 lbs. is nothing.

AnorexicSTI · 09-16-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD_STI

Putting the battery inside the car just doesn't sound like a wise move. Neanderthal's setup looks real nice, I just don't know if the gains of moving the battery to the trunk will be great enough to offset the amount of weight you will add in wire.

I have a Braille that's 11.5lbs. Not too happy with it, it hasn't died or gone bad but the car just seems like it struggles when the rpm's drop under 700...the power stearing goes out for a split second a lot when parking. just seems like it needs more power. I think I'll put the OEM battery back in to confirm it is the battery causing this. The lights dimm a lot when starting the car. I wouldn't buy another Braille.

This is gonna sound funny, but I relocated my battery under the passenger seat and replaced with first a 9.5 lb Deka, then a 7.0 lb Deka. I also used 8 ga wire (6ga is the recommended for 10 ft long, but I like living on the edge) and it actually SAVED 0.5 or 0.75 lbs over the stock terminals and wiring lol. So much for the added wiring adding weight.

Regarding the PS going out, I don't see how that has to do with the battery since the PS is belt driven. The lights SHOULD dim when starting the car.

flatthump · 09-16-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSmith7599

This under the seat thing reminds me of the VW Thing (google if you don't know what that is). The batteries were mounted underneath the rear seat, and if you had a lot of weight in the seat and went over a bump, the seat would make contact with both terminals and catch on fire. Consequently, also due to emissions and crash ratings, the Thing was only imported in 73 and 74. If you do that, please cover at least one terminal!

Nice...you know your aircooled history

To the OP. I ran the 11.5 Braille battery and it is definitely a weak battery. The car wouldnt start if it sat for more than three days. But I never had a problem with the winter weather. (but I am in Ca after all)

holycow · 09-17-2007, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoostJunkie

Switch to the PC680, it's so much better and an extra 3 lbs. is nothing.

How does that thing mount/fit into a car's battery location? Have you had any issues with this battery?

**Interior Flaire** · 09-17-2007, 07:20 AM

Good luck fitting the stock battery under the front seat. That thing is a monster!

CB

ESmooth · 09-17-2007, 02:37 PM

I just recently had my car corner weighted with my T2s with the rest of the car being mostly stock with regards to weight. With 180 pounds in the driver seat, 3/4 tank of gas and the spare tire and jack removed, the left front was about 60 pounds heavier than the right front and the right rear was about 60 pounds lighter than the left rear. Moving the 40ish pound battery from the left front to the right rear should make a pretty nice change in the weight distribution...throw in some other weight reduction measures and the overall balance should improve quite a bit.

09-15-2007, 03:27 PM	#1
crashnscar Junior STI Driver Fav Mod: track days Location: LosAltos/SanLuisObispo,CA Posts: 119 Join Date: Nov 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Relocating battery I don't really want to do a lightweight, because I daily drive the car and don't want to have to worry about having my battery die from having the car sit with the radio on for too long or something dumb like that. How long are the lightweight batteries supposed to last doing that and then being able to turn over the engine? I think I am going to relocate the stock battery and put it either under the passenger seat or in the trunk (as close to the back seat as possible, not hanging way over the rear axle). I like the idea of under the passenger seat because it is in the middle of the car and just about the lowest point possible. I like the idea of in the trunk because it will help even more with the weight distribution. What do all of you suggest doing? Which makes MORE sense to do? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

09-15-2007, 04:57 PM	#2
*BoostJunkie* Sold My Soul For Mods Car: '05 CGM STi Fav Mod: Track Time Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 6,454 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (12)	Re: Relocating battery I have had good luck with my Odyssey PC680, which only weighs 15 lbs. I had the Braille 11.5 lb. before and it was pretty weak in the winter and eventually died altogether. I replaced it with the Odyssey and the car starts just like stock every time, even in the dead of winter. I have also left the stereo on for at least 30 minutes or so without the car running and it didn't drain at all. I'd definitely recommend this one, it's not as light as the Braille but it's much better suited to automotive applications. Relocating works but you end up adding overall weight because of the bracket and heavy wiring you need.

09-15-2007, 04:58 PM	#3
pharo Professional STI Racer Car: OBP STi Fav Mod: really quick left foot & anything made my TIC Location: thousand oaks Posts: 839 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Relocating battery This is a great question because shedding 20 lbs would be great, but I wonder how good it would be for a daily driver.

09-15-2007, 06:48 PM	#4
Loubaru Professional STI Racer Car: 07 OBP/Gold STi Fav Mod: DomTune & MD Whisper Location: NW, Washington Posts: 751 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Relocating battery I was thinking about relocation to help move some more weight to the rear. I would assume the benifits from improving the wait balance would out weigh the extra added weight.

09-15-2007, 07:12 PM	#5
*Neanderthal Racing* GT R US Car: CUTN EDG project Fav Mod: $20. mudflaps from auto zone Location: my cave Posts: 5,831 Join Date: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Relocating battery here's my red top in a eddie marine billet tray sharing space with the fuel system.

09-15-2007, 07:22 PM	#6
ScubaSmith7599 Grassroots STI Racer Car: Silver 05 STi Fav Mod: driving school Location: MCB Quantico, Virginia Posts: 581 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Relocating battery This under the seat thing reminds me of the VW Thing (google if you don't know what that is). The batteries were mounted underneath the rear seat, and if you had a lot of weight in the seat and went over a bump, the seat would make contact with both terminals and catch on fire. Consequently, also due to emissions and crash ratings, the Thing was only imported in 73 and 74. If you do that, please cover at least one terminal!

09-15-2007, 07:52 PM	#8
JD_STI Spec C Club Car: 07 STI Fav Mod: Zzyzx Coilovers Location: SoCal Posts: 1,194 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Relocating battery Putting the battery inside the car just doesn't sound like a wise move. Neanderthal's setup looks real nice, I just don't know if the gains of moving the battery to the trunk will be great enough to offset the amount of weight you will add in wire. I have a Braille that's 11.5lbs. Not too happy with it, it hasn't died or gone bad but the car just seems like it struggles when the rpm's drop under 700...the power stearing goes out for a split second a lot when parking. just seems like it needs more power. I think I'll put the OEM battery back in to confirm it is the battery causing this. The lights dimm a lot when starting the car. I wouldn't buy another Braille.

09-17-2007, 07:20 AM	#14
Interior Flaire Authorized Vendor Car: 05 PSM Stage 4 Fav Mod: Pro-Tune Location: Big D Posts: 1,724 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (16)	Re: Relocating battery Good luck fitting the stock battery under the front seat. That thing is a monster! CB

09-17-2007, 02:37 PM	#15
ESmooth STI Driver Car: 06 Stage 2 STI Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 264 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Relocating battery I just recently had my car corner weighted with my T2s with the rest of the car being mostly stock with regards to weight. With 180 pounds in the driver seat, 3/4 tank of gas and the spare tire and jack removed, the left front was about 60 pounds heavier than the right front and the right rear was about 60 pounds lighter than the left rear. Moving the 40ish pound battery from the left front to the right rear should make a pretty nice change in the weight distribution...throw in some other weight reduction measures and the overall balance should improve quite a bit. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.