relocate battery to spare tire wheel well???

IwantMKIII

WVU MAEngineering
Jun 12, 2007
2,477
0
0
Perkasie, PA
Well b/c of the upgrades i have, the battery doesn't fit in the engine compartment anymore. Its currently in the truck but its very annoying b/c then i can't use the mounts for the targa. I've been looking for another spot all day but am coming up short. Then i realized the battery fits in the wheel well (except the terminals are too high so id have to get a side terminal battery). Now my question is, i know water can get in there rather easily as times, is there a way to one, waterproof the well (as much as possible anyway), two waterproof the batter itself. I have a case for the battery but its much too big to fit the well.
 

Jaguar_5

It's ALIVE!
Feb 7, 2006
1,468
0
0
Seattle
I've never researched this at all, but heres what I would do

Re-do the taillight seals, just in case. Ensure your hatch seal is in good condition.

Go with a Marine Battery, I assume since they are called marine, they are better sealed from moisture, put that in a battery box, and you should be good to go!

I could be very wrong, just trying to give you some ideas to get you started ;)
 

theKnifeArtist

Fire on High!
Apr 6, 2006
2,332
0
0
North Jersey
yeah, sucks not being able to put targa in the trunk. i just throw mine in the backseat, but i wish i had the room in the trunk.
make sure your wheel well is sterdy, cuz they're always all rusted to shit.
 

NeatOman

Never know enough!
Oct 5, 2006
233
0
0
Addison, IL
Battery box for sure! you don't want any fumes when you get in you're car from the battery. And of course it should have a hose to run to the outside for the fumes to go.
 

NeatOman

Never know enough!
Oct 5, 2006
233
0
0
Addison, IL
Every time you charge or discharge you're battery can give off VERY dangerous fumes.. So if you're going to put in the the cabin with you, you need to put it in a box with a air tube running outside.
 

IwantMKIII

WVU MAEngineering
Jun 12, 2007
2,477
0
0
Perkasie, PA
LOL, im dumb, i never even thought of just laying it on its side....duh. So as far as this Gel battery is concerned, where did you get it and where did you get your case?


Edit, i just realized gel batteries are the Optima type batteries, my other question is laying it on its side would be bad or neutral?
 

pmohr

Maxima.org traitor
Jun 20, 2007
20
0
0
37
Pasadena, MD
IwantMKIII said:
LOL, im dumb, i never even thought of just laying it on its side....duh. So as far as this Gel battery is concerned, where did you get it and where did you get your case?


Edit, i just realized gel batteries are the Optima type batteries, my other question is laying it on its side would be bad or neutral?

That's the great thing about gel style batteries, technically they can even be mounted upside down with no adverse effects. Mounting it on its side should be no issue with an Optima.
 

IwantMKIII

WVU MAEngineering
Jun 12, 2007
2,477
0
0
Perkasie, PA
Any place i can get them a bit cheaper, most autozones/pepboys have them $80+

Should i still use a cover? if so what cover will fit in the wheel well??
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
38,728
0
0
62
I come from a land down under
No you misunderstand me ;)

Leave the spare wheel in the car, lay an oddesey on it's side on the floor with a hold down clamp/strap and the Targa should still fit.

Don't need a box as long as your alternator doesn't charge over 15v.
 

suprahero

naughty by nature
Staff member
Aug 26, 2005
14,971
0
36
54
Roll Tide
I bought an aluminum box from HPF.com and I have a battery from Advance and my targa goes in with no problem. I also dont have it vented anywhere. This is the first I have heard of this.
 

IwantMKIII

WVU MAEngineering
Jun 12, 2007
2,477
0
0
Perkasie, PA
IJ. said:
No you misunderstand me ;)

Leave the spare wheel in the car, lay an oddesey on it's side on the floor with a hold down clamp/strap and the Targa should still fit.

Don't need a box as long as your alternator doesn't charge over 15v.

:bigthumb: gotcha....well id be no skin off my back since i have no spare anyway...not even a jack when i bought it :3d_frown:
 

suprageezer

New Member
Aug 27, 2005
778
0
0
Southern California
You could mount a gel battery on it's side in the wheel well run some conduit from there to where you need your cables to go, buy some surplus aircraft 4awg cable and run it that way. I don’t like the idea of just stringing cable from the trunk up to the engine compartment myself. If I was going to do the relocate that’s what I would do. I make my own cable from aircraft cable since a smaller diameter can handle higher amperage due to the tefzel or teflon insulation with a Nomex jacket. The cable I have I bought dirt cheap at an industrial liquadator here in SD. I made cables for my van using it and soldered terminals, then used 3/8-16 X 3/8 long stainless hex bolts and stainless washers to bolt the cables to the side of my gel battery. They've worked now perfectly for over two years. I'll be making the same kind of cables for my Supra in the future.
 

dbsupra90

toonar
Apr 1, 2005
2,374
0
0
indiucky
IJ. said:
.

Don't need a box as long as your alternator doesn't charge over 15v.

yes and no. if you plan on going to the track (this area anyway), almost all require you to have it in a box. probably all, but not enforced. same goes w/ a battery cut off switch. required, but not always enforced.