Plastic battery box in trunk?
#1234079
05/15/12 09:53 PM
05/15/12 09:53 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles
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West Plains, MO
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Many years ago I ordered a battery relocation kit from Summit but never used the box... it's orange plastic (and is labeled "Fenwick Woodstream", a racing organization unknown to me)  anyhow I have been searching online for the relevant NHRA regs and have found: Quote:
8.1 BATTERIES
All batteries must be securely mounted and may not be relocated into the driver or passenger compartments. Rear firewall of .024-inch (.6 mm) steel or .032-inch (.8 mm) aluminum (including package tray) required when battery is re-located in trunk. In lieu of rear firewall, battery may be located in a sealed .024-inch (.6 mm) or .032-inch (.8 mm) aluminum, or FIA 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. Strapping tape prohibited. A maximum of two automobile batteries, or 150 pounds (68 kg) combined maximum weight (unless otherwise specified in Class Requirements) is permitted. Metal battery hold-down straps mandatory. Hold-down bolts must be minimum 3/8-inch (9.53 mm) if battery is relocated from stock and other than stock hold-downs are used ("J" hooks prohibited or must have open end welded shut.).
So, if I can't use the strapping it came with, or otherwise use the box to secure the battery, is it still considered a "sealed" box if it has two 3/8" bolts running through its bottom? 
Do I have to vent it outside the car if I use an Optima battery?
thanks
Charles
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Re: Plastic battery box in trunk?
[Re: DrCharles]
#1234082
05/15/12 10:37 PM
05/15/12 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,226
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
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Posts: 20,226
Park Forest, IL
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Quote:
So, if I can't use the strapping it came with, or otherwise use the box to secure the battery, is it still considered a "sealed" box if it has two 3/8" bolts running through its bottom?
Are you sure it is a sealed box to start with? The sealed boxes have a lid that snaps on like Tupperware, grommets the cables go through, and vent hoses. Without that it is not an accepted sealed box.
Quote:
Do I have to vent it outside the car if I use an Optima battery?
Yes, if you use a sealed box. No if you have a bulkhead and unsealed box.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: Plastic battery box in trunk?
[Re: Challenger 1]
#1234083
05/15/12 10:57 PM
05/15/12 10:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles
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West Plains, MO
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Quote:
2 3/8" bolts are needed to sandwich the battery and box to the car, not just the box.
I understand that the battery itself has to be secured by the bolts, but I'm having trouble visualizing this sandwiching... are the two bolts on the outside of the box, or inside it (and so must pass through the bottom of the box)?
The box I have is not sealed then - the lid snaps into place with two 2" wide tabs, but there's no gasket or grommets. I do have an Optima in decent shape so I may just use that.
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Re: Plastic battery box in trunk?
[Re: DrCharles]
#1234085
05/16/12 09:26 AM
05/16/12 09:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,746
Ontario, Canada
Dodgem
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Ontario, Canada
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basically you need to run 3/8 threaded rod through the trunk floor and it must have a nut and washer on each side of the trunk floor. then must be long enough to go up and through your regular hold down.  It can be secured with wing nuts at that point. Then If you do not have a sheet metal firewall installed between the back seat and trunk it has to be in the box.
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Re: Plastic battery box in trunk?
[Re: ProStDodge]
#1234089
05/16/12 07:48 PM
05/16/12 07:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles
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West Plains, MO
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I am going to put a fuel cell in the trunk, so I will be making a firewall too.  Which brings me to another question  The aluminum cell fits neatly in the spare tire well. Should I cut out a rectangular area in the floor of the well (so the sump protrudes through underneath, and hook up the filter/pump on the frame rail) - or mount it flush with the trunk floor and put the filter and pump in the well underneath it? Anyone got pics? thanks Charles
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Re: Plastic battery box in trunk?
[Re: DrCharles]
#1234090
05/17/12 02:10 AM
05/17/12 02:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
383man
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Balt. Md
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My battery is in the trunk also in a plastic marine boat type box. I drilled two 1/4" holes in the bottom of the box and right thru the trunk floor. I drilled the holes after the box was bolted in. That way it is venter to the outside. It works great for me and you dont have to worry about battery acid or anythinbg else on clothes or whatever you put in the trunk. No mess and it looks like a Pro did it. Ron
Last edited by 383man; 05/17/12 02:11 AM.
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