Trunk battery relocation question?

[Steve1968LS2]

If you're running a dry cell battery (Odyssey, Etc) do you still need to use a sealed/vented battery box and do you still need to run a rear bulkhead to pass NHRA tech.

I see the rules, but I don't see where they discuss non-acid batteries like this.

Thoughts?

[Goatman]

I had an optima on my old GTO and never vented it. I did have the firewall in place. But that was more for the fuel cell than the battery for me...


Never had a problem with tech at New England Dragway NH, Lebannon Valley NY, Englishtown NJ, or Norwalk Raceway Park in OH... But that wasn't SCCA..

[Steve1968LS2]

I had an optima on my old GTO and never vented it. I did have the firewall in place. But that was more for the fuel cell than the battery for me...


Never had a problem with tech at New England Dragway NH, Lebannon Valley NY, Englishtown NJ, or Norwalk Raceway Park in OH... But that wasn't SCCA..

After significant searching I found that the NHRA in thier "slow to react" manner lumps all batteries together even though a dry-cell battery doesn't need a battery box or a bulkhead.

Screw the box, I will just install a bulkhead.

Of course that means one other problem. You have to bulkhead the package tray as well and that means no speakers.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!

Damn them and thier antiquated rules!!!


lol

[Hawaiian turbo]

I had to put my optima in an enclosed, vented box, on a NHRA sanctioned track. I guess it just depends on who's teching.

[Steve1968LS2]

I had to put my optima in an enclosed, vented box, on a NHRA sanctioned track. I guess it just depends on who's teching.

I'm just going to put a bulkhead behind my seat and box off my package tray.

It's a bit more work but not that hard. Having my dinky battery in a huge (and pointless) box is just something I refuse to do. At least the bulkhead will serve a purpose.

[Damn True]

Probably your best bet. You can always bolt a speaker box to the floor in the back.

[Steve1968LS2]

Probably your best bet. You can always bolt a speaker box to the floor in the back.

Actually I'm just going to build a void under the package shelf for the speakers. You know, drop down the bulkhead to allow room for speakers to still be there. There's no rule that the plate has to be up against the package tray. Just that the area is sealed off.

And it's still all pretty lame considering the battery has no acid in it..

[MrQuick]

Actually I'm just going to build a void under the package shelf for the speakers. You know, drop down the bulkhead to allow room for speakers to still be there. There's no rule that the plate has to be up against the package tray. Just that the area is sealed off.

And it's still all pretty lame considering the battery has no acid in it..

it still puts out hazardous vapors when caught on fire or during a major short. The rule is there to avoid being sued.

[HotRod68Camaro]

Steve - I need to do the same to my '68, mind sharing pics as you progress?

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve - I need to do the same to my '68, mind sharing pics as you progress?

There in lies my constant problem.. sharing pics online that are part of stories that will be in the magazine.

Your main thing (if you care about passing NHRA tech) is if you're going to use a battery box of if you want to bulkhead off the trunk. I chose the bulkhead route since it also provides a fire/smoke barrier and the box looked lame with the tiny battery in it.

Also, do you want a master disconnect switch? Willing to mount it in your rear valance? If not then you will need a $50 remote disconnect kit (Moroso). This way you only need to make a small hole in the panel or in a light.

The Fairlane install came out very clean, not "show car" clean but neat and tidy.

Here's a very low res. Look for the story in the September PHR.

[Steve1968LS2]

it still puts out hazardous vapors when caught on fire or during a major short. The rule is there to avoid being sued.

A plastic battery box is going to be useless if this dry battery explodes and it emits zero fumes unless it's burned up in a fire and then you have other issues. lol

I think it's even certified to run in the passenger compartment with some sanctioning bodies. :shrug:

Hey, found some cool trivia on the battery I just installed..

The AGM valve-regulated design of the ODYSSEY
battery eliminates the need for vent tubes; further, no
battery watering is required and there is no fear of acid
burns or damage to expensive chrome or paint.
Because of the starved electrolyte design, the US
Department of Transportation (USDOT) has classified the
ODYSSEY battery as a dry battery. Shipping these
batteries by express ground or by air is possible.

(A) MIL S-901C shock, high impact test
This is a test specified by the US Navy to determine
suitability of equipment for installation on warships.
A 26Ah battery (equivalent to the PC925 but without the
metal jacket) was installed in an UPS system aboard a
Navy MHC51-class coastal mine hunter.
The test is designed to simulate the shock generated by
a 16" naval gun and a depth charge going off
simultaneously. Testing is performed by hitting the UPS,
while in operation, with a 2,500 lb. hammer from varying
distances. After several such impacts the battery system
was load tested.

The 26Ah battery passed the test without metal jackets.
Equipping the ODYSSEY batteries with metal jackets will
only increase their ability to withstand tough shock and
impact situations that may be encountered in automotive
applications.

[MrQuick]

...but it might buy you some time.

have you tried calling NHRA? with your pull you should be able to push for an adjustment to the rules.

[Steve1968LS2]

...but it might buy you some time.

have you tried calling NHRA? with your pull you should be able to push for an adjustment to the rules.

Yea... right..

[novanutcase]

have you tried calling NHRA? With your pull you should be able to push for an adjustment to the rules.

WOW!!! Steve, I didn't know you had THAT much juice!!

John

[Steve1968LS2]

WOW!!! Steve, I didn't know you had THAT much juice!!

John

The only "juice" I have is the OJ I drink each morning

[jeffandre]

I will be putting two Odyssey PC680's under the passenger rear floorboard area in a sealed metal box accessible from underneath only. This will keep the weight between the axles and as low as possible. Just another PITA project on my lifelong project journey...The Odyssey PC680's are less than half the size of a regular battery, so mounting them flat and alongside each other takes up less room, figuring about 2" below the floor and 1 inch into the floorboard area where the back seat passenger feet go, maybe total box length of 16".