Battery Box
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
Battery Box
Hey guys,
I already posted some bench racing type stuff but i'm planning on doing some real stuff right now
. I noticed there is no battery holddown on my battery behind the drivers seat. did they come with one? I think i'm going to put a sealed battery box in and then run a vent tube out the bottom. Any reason to not do this? I planned to really check things out before i start drilling holes as I'm not too sure of whats in the immediate area but i think long term this would be safer. I will probably go dry cell anyways but if i'm ever in a crunch for money and need a cheap battery it will be nice to have the proper set-up. Am i just paranoid? For some reason i'm thinking an acid battery right behind my seat be held in by battery cables and a thin plastic door is not safe. thanks for any input good or bad guys.
I already posted some bench racing type stuff but i'm planning on doing some real stuff right now
. I noticed there is no battery holddown on my battery behind the drivers seat. did they come with one? I think i'm going to put a sealed battery box in and then run a vent tube out the bottom. Any reason to not do this? I planned to really check things out before i start drilling holes as I'm not too sure of whats in the immediate area but i think long term this would be safer. I will probably go dry cell anyways but if i'm ever in a crunch for money and need a cheap battery it will be nice to have the proper set-up. Am i just paranoid? For some reason i'm thinking an acid battery right behind my seat be held in by battery cables and a thin plastic door is not safe. thanks for any input good or bad guys.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I've don't believe there is a car made without a battery hold down. It's very dangerous to run this way as the battery could turn over. Additionally, the bouncing around of it will shorten its life.
Last edited by Jud Chapin; Aug 8, 2007 at 03:33 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
On the early Vettes there are already two vent tubes running out of the
battery compartment - that was when you could refill your battery.
Now they are sealed and don't need the vent but, make sure you some-
how secure the battery. I don't think you need a real high priced battery - I have a $80 Interstate that has lasted for years - make sure
you have the cranking and storage power in that battery.
battery compartment - that was when you could refill your battery.
Now they are sealed and don't need the vent but, make sure you some-
how secure the battery. I don't think you need a real high priced battery - I have a $80 Interstate that has lasted for years - make sure
you have the cranking and storage power in that battery.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
my thoughts exactly, i could go with a simple hold down from summit but i figure i might as well go with the sealed box if i'm going to be mounting anything in there. should make it look nicer plus it would be nice to be able to use the rest as storage on trips and not worry about anything smacking or laying on the battery.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
i may go with a nice battery from napa over the optima, i'm begining to think those are over-rated at $160, especially when they weigh 35 pounds 
any suggestions on good light weight batteries? regular or dry cell
any suggestions on good light weight batteries? regular or dry cell
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
I had to rebuild my battery box with fiberglass after the previous owner tried to use ply wood following some sort of mishap.
I cut some alluminum angle and shapped a perimeter for the battery to prevent it from sliding around. Fastened those lengths of angle alluminum to the bottom of the battery box and drilled some holes in the vertical side. I'll use a plastic tie down or tight bungie cord to loop over the battery to hold it down.
A sealed box would be cleaner but will be a PIA to work around if you ever need to have access to the rest of the box, which you shouldn't.
I like the aluminum boxes from summit but they're pricey.
I cut some alluminum angle and shapped a perimeter for the battery to prevent it from sliding around. Fastened those lengths of angle alluminum to the bottom of the battery box and drilled some holes in the vertical side. I'll use a plastic tie down or tight bungie cord to loop over the battery to hold it down.
A sealed box would be cleaner but will be a PIA to work around if you ever need to have access to the rest of the box, which you shouldn't.
I like the aluminum boxes from summit but they're pricey.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
Do fill out your profile. Get a battery that suits your specific needs.
For example - do you have a SBlock with standard equipment - do you
do short drives/ etc -- do a search and get the cranking amps and
storage amps you need. Yes, you don't need the most expensive
battery just like you don't need a high amp alternator. ALSO - I put
some extra foil insulation I had in the bottom of the battery compartment - muffles a little noise and helps battery stay steady.
For example - do you have a SBlock with standard equipment - do you
do short drives/ etc -- do a search and get the cranking amps and
storage amps you need. Yes, you don't need the most expensive
battery just like you don't need a high amp alternator. ALSO - I put
some extra foil insulation I had in the bottom of the battery compartment - muffles a little noise and helps battery stay steady.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
the summit boxes are pricey but i've always wanted one, now i have an excuse 
i appreciate all the responses guys, don't take me not filling out the profile as rude, i will do it shortly, just very busy. I know it helps alot when answering questions for people as i'm very active on some other forums. check out ratrodsrule.com if you get a chance, very cool site. thanks guys!
i appreciate all the responses guys, don't take me not filling out the profile as rude, i will do it shortly, just very busy. I know it helps alot when answering questions for people as i'm very active on some other forums. check out ratrodsrule.com if you get a chance, very cool site. thanks guys!
