We didn't want to loose any more space in the trunk of Motormikey's Model A coupe. The car is channeled and chopped. We decided to mount the battery under the dash. It's a Ultima battery which can be mounted on it's side. The battery tray hinges down for access. Cool idea? But what about that ugly battery hanging down below the dash? Clark
Well....we gutted an old Arvin heater and slipped it over the battery. It is offset just a little for gas pedal clearance. Clark
Looks like you've got the solution right there on the d-side floor. Hide it behind a '40 Chevy heater. Gut that thing and strap it up there. Optimas are to be sworn by!!!! EDIT: DOH.... you were going to show us that and I was too fast on the draw.
Thats cool but where is he putting his fuse panel and whats going in that hole in the center of the dash? Oh...wrong thread. Mikeys car is gonna Rule!
Brush..Mikey is too weak for superpowers... Fatabone...I don't know....what would be good there? Evel...don't you think you would get shocked in the shower Clark
Is it possible for those Ultimas to blow up? I've seen a few bats pop - bend the hood up and spew acid everywhere.
I have been dealing with Optima's for awhile now. They are by far the best battery. I have had one fall out of the back of a lifted truck at highway speed. It bounced a few times and then went flipping into the ditch. That battery got dropped into my Bronco and worked for another two years until was doing some serious wheeling. I noticed the lights were dimming when I got to my driveway. When I came out to start it up it went click click. I popped the hood and the hold down had broke the Optima fell into the alternator and it took a chunk out of two of the six cells. The best part was after it sat over night it had enough of a charge to start the Bronco to get it around to my shop. That gel is some potent stuff it ate the hell out of that alternator housing.
"Is it possible for those Ultimas to blow up? I've seen a few bats pop - bend the hood up and spew acid everywhere." Had one upside down for going on three years in my daily- No issues Moved it out from under the hood and under the front p*** corner of the truck bed in a taylor stainless box. I don't think they have acid in a liquid form anyways. Neat install- any details on the hinge bracket would be cool if you have some more pics. danny
thats a great idea man, great way to save space and get the ugly battery out of the engine compartment. Shawn
There is a company that makes a very small car battery that can be mounted almost anywhere. It is approximately 6" x 4" across the face. I can't think of the name off hand, but I have one in the shop at home. I am at work right now. I'll post the name when I can get home and check on it. You can hide it almost anywhere, and it can lay in any orientation. Plus it's very light. Doc.
Okay I checked it out when I got home. Dyna-Batt. 3.25" wide x 7" long, and 7" high. weighs 13.5 lbs. 550 CCA. I've been told that the Hawker 12V/16 ah (G16EP) is the same battery at about half the price. Who'd a thunk it. Doc.
i droped a jell-cell and broke a hole in the case about 3" hole put black tape on it and ran it for 2 more years like that tell i sold the car worked great i use them in all my cars. when i have to get a battery
I started down that path with my sedan, I had it mocked up in several positions but could never get it to hide (the model A dash just is not big enough) so I gave up.. I almost welded tabs to the underside of the gas tank but felt after time the weight would cause warpage and sinking of the metal.
try looking at red top batteries i currently run a red top 40 with no charging system it runs my car for two weeks a day time trips and has done a whole weekend and a 4 hour drive home in the dark without a dynamo or alternator here is a little blurb The DMS range of Varley Red Top Race Batteries employ pure lead technology. Originally used to start fighter aircraft engines and to withstand the shock and vibration experienced in combat aircraft, these batteries have proved ideal for use in compe***ion applications. Small, lightweight, maintenance free and with exceptionally high discharge capability (Up to 2000 Amps instantaneous current) these batteries are flame retardant, can be fitted upright or on their side and will not leak even when damaged. Red Top 40: Voltage=12, Capacity=38Ah, Weight=12.5kgs, Dimensions=250x97x206mm, Terminals=M6 male, Cranking current (20?C for 5secs)=965A. Battery appearance may differ from picture. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
clark The idea rocks however its not the battery I would worry about, its the alternator (or gen). I had an alt go bad on the way to ***berland this fall, it went into an overcharge situation and COOKED the batt. (it was an optima) mounted face up (not sideways as in your mounting..) cathie and I kept smelling "raw eggs" and it wasnt till I looked over my sholder that I noticed the "steam" coming out from the rear deck.. (in the 40 the battery is in the trunk.. in a "semi sealed" enclosure.. I also dont have anywhere else to put the batt, so it's still in the trunk.. should something go wrong in mikey's A what will keep the "g***es" from spewing all over the compartment? and if the car gets a roof then what? dont get me wrong I dig the idea.. but after having an optima do this I wouldnt use another, and I would do anything I can to keep it out of the engine compartment.. Jeff
Clark, Cool idea! I love the heater grill to cover it. But tell me, what year/make/model is that steering wheel???? It steals the show!! Flatman
If you are looking for a very small and/or a very light battery, take a look at this thread on the SCCA forums: http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/178864.aspx Batteries commonly used for race cars are the Odyssey (which has replaced the Dynabat), some Panasonics, and some generic garden tractor and motorcycle batteries. When using one of these, it seems that they last about three years in an automotive application and you can't have battery draining accessories that run while the engine is off - like car alarms and stereos - but not many tight roadsters have those anyway.
Mad Dog makes a small, high output battery. And there are a number of small 12V ATV and motorcyle batteries whith enough output to crank a car motor. If you are not running accessories or if you have an alternator with good output at idle that is all you really need. Putting the battery under the dash really simplifies the wiring. I'm planning to mount the one in my T sedan on the firewall above the p***enger's feet. I like the look of exposed mechanical stuff and I don't care for things that appear to be something they are not - like Buick drums with discs inside.
Really looks good with the 35-36 Car dash. I was leaning that way for my coupe! May need to look for somethinf else now Or maybe not... moose
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