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Battery location
oldtimer - 19/7/09 at 09:53 AM

I have a Redtop gel battery that I am going to mount, as it were, on it's side. I can find nothing in the IVA manual about position so want to mount it in passenger footwell - anybody forsee a problem. I have seen this in track use but OK/allowed for the road?

rost - 19/7/09 at 10:08 AM

I'd say that you're ok, if you cover the terminals and make sure everything's radiused right. I don't have hand's on experience though!

MakeEverything - 19/7/09 at 10:08 AM

Although Gel Batteries are designed not to leak on their side, i dont think they are designed to be on their side for prolonged periods?? - Best to check the manufacturers literature, or try and find out from them if its ok. If it is, i dont see why IVA would have a problem.

If its in the footwekk, just make sure its secure and the terminals are covered.

oldtimer - 19/7/09 at 10:10 AM

Manufacturer states it can be mounted on its side. The main question is is it IVA OK in the footwell?

Guinness - 19/7/09 at 10:12 AM

Steve / Coozer mounted his battery in the passenger footwell, behind a foot rest.

The only advice I'd offer is to make sure you wire in a fly lead / socket for the charger and a heavy duty plug for jump starting as it will be tricky getting jump leads in there and connected to another vehicle.

Mike

mangogrooveworkshop - 19/7/09 at 10:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by oldtimer
Manufacturer states it can be mounted on its side. The main question is is it IVA OK in the footwell?


Dont listen to the manufactures bullshit.....

I throw away about 800 quids worth of GEL battery's every week cause some manufacturer says they can go on their sides

As a result gassed and split battery`s are what we get.
Some `engineer ` down south told us we cant change the spec........
I found out the expert that was advising him is the UK sales manager now there's a surprise...............

I modded the battery pack so they all stand up and the batts now last seven years longer instead of the 8 months previous

jpindy3 - 19/7/09 at 10:28 AM

i wouldnt put it in the foot well as he will check the edges, i dont think it would pass with it in the foot well unless it was in a box so the points can not be contacted,put it in the engine bay for the mean time after the test put it where you wish

MakeEverything - 19/7/09 at 10:42 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jpindy3
so the points can not be contacted,


I thought they were in the distributor??

I really wouldnt put a battery on its side, personally. The IVA inspector will only check it for radius if its in the footwell i would imagine.

oldtimer - 19/7/09 at 10:56 AM

So, response seems to be: OK if you can live with possible leakage, but, engine bay and upright = less hassle.

blakep82 - 19/7/09 at 02:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by oldtimer
So, response seems to be: OK if you can live with possible leakage, but, engine bay and upright = less hassle.


er, basically yeah
or in the back if you don't have room up front, as long as you don't have any way of the battery touching the fuel tank

but of couse, theres no reason why you can't put it upright in the footwell if thats where you prefer it to be

[Edited on 19/7/09 by blakep82]

coozer - 19/7/09 at 07:07 PM

As said, heres mine. Its held in with a clamp made out of a deep fat fryer and them has an ali cover over the lot held on with velcro. Passed SVA OK. The tester asked politly if he could have look behind just make sure the terminals were insulated.


t.j. - 20/7/09 at 07:12 PM

The Renault scenic had one below the seat. BMW and Mercedes too,

So no problem.

Grtz