battery question for NC_REX

**lee329** · August 18th, 2001, 05:45 AM

I know you got the Ultima battery and was going to relocate it to the trunk.My questions , where did you route the +battery cable, drill a hole thru the floor run it under the floor or did you route it inside the car thru the firewall..I plan to mount mine in the passenger seat area. Next I'll need a longer +battery cable, where did you get yours? because on my honda the +battery cable is 2 wires, one to the starter and the other to the fuse box...I was thinking of using two 4 gauge wire mate them together with a new battery post terminal....I will be getting the ultima battery from Murray's for $109 next week...any info appreciated..also is the Morosso battery box the only recommended one, or would one of the marine box be ok?..thanks....Jerry

------------------

**NC_Rex** · August 18th, 2001, 05:54 PM

The Battery cable, well you have your choice. Run it in conduit underneath your car from a hole through the wall behind your bumper and follow the exhuast heat shielding in a pipe or bit of conduit and then just route it up to the starter...this isn't recommended because it's complicated, but on say a truck, it's not a bad idea.

The other way, what I'd do, is to run it from the passenger rear corner over the rear wheel well, down to underneath the plastic cover for the fuel or brake lines (forgot which ones) that run underneath the carpet and follow that until you get to the front...route the cable up there and zip tie to parts of the Heater Core Blower Motor, then follow this to the Cabin Harness exit point into the engine bay....Follow the ECU wiring straight up. Cut a slit in larger firewall boot where the harness goes through, and push the cable through there...wetting the cable will help it get started. Then pull it through and run along the main harness ...then stay level where the brake lines and proportioner are...run to where the engine harness comes down...zip tie it here and route to the starter. Make a tap at the starter line...I actually took a really larger connector end and crimped down both starter and remote battery line on the one connector end. Make sure you fit the boot on first too or get a larger one.

The mount the remote battery...it's easiest to have a battery shelf tack welded into part of the spare tire well...it won't interfere witht he tire as long as it's done right. Otherwise, like the moroso battery Box (too expensive and large), just drill holes in the bottom of the trunkboard and bolt the box up there in two spots...use large washers to distribute the weight evenly.

I can take some pictures...but you really have to bother me with email to do it.

The Gauge wire I used was 4 gauge. Any 4 Gauge larger or thin strand, silver color or regular copper, OFC, or whatever...doesn't matter, just make sure it's Copper and 18 gauge (don't use housing cable though, bad idea). It will run you a lot for the cable and breaker. The Circuit Breaker needs to be a 70 amp or so...not certain, but it's expensive, like $40 bucks. The End connectors for the battery...if it's and optima you can get quick disconnect or whatever you choose. Depends on the Optima battery you buy and the mounting option you wish to use: post or quick disconnect terminal.

The Circuit breaker needs ot be right at the battery. Also it doesn't hurt to have one right at the Alternator too. The problem is current swings both ways.

The battery starts the car...so you have to have a way to protect from a short going from rear to front....and then the alternator charges the battery, so you have to have a way to protect from a short off the aternator going to the rear. So you really need two of them. But the one going to the rear doesn't need to be that much because it will never be charging with a whole lot of amperage...consult a car audio shop more about this.

The only reason I forewarn you is because you can catch your carpet on fire if you don't shut off the car quick enough after you notice it starts smoking. Insurance may not cover either. And that's why some people route outside of the cabin and underneath the car.

Ask away man, I'll put up more info.

------------------