NHRA & Trunk Mounted Battery

66P51GT

New Member

Nov 7, 2003

721

1

0

Cerritos, CA

Nov 24, 2004

#1

• Nov 24, 2004

• #1

I have a '66 coupe and want to run the battery in the trunk. I know NHRA requires an external battery disconnect switch. However, does the battery have to be completely enclosed or can I use a lightweight mounting bracket that is welded to the trunk floor? I'd prefer the latter since they are cheap cheap.

Which one of these do I need?
(images are just examples)

#1. View attachment 520304

-OR-

#2.

 

Attachments

• 50301.webp

  9.7 KB · Views: 181

F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Founding Member

Dec 6, 1999

4,818

1

69

BC Canada

Nov 24, 2004

#2

• Nov 24, 2004

• #2

I believe it has something to do with the type of battery. If it's a 0 maintenance (like a gell cell) then I think you can get away with not having it enclosed.

If it's your standard lead-acid battery, then you must use a sealed (and vented to the outside) battery box.

Wait until some experts reply before you go out buying parts tho, as I'm no expert..

 

66P51GT

New Member

Nov 7, 2003

721

1

0

Cerritos, CA

Nov 24, 2004

#3

• Nov 24, 2004

• #3

70_Nitrous_Eater said:

I believe it has something to do with the type of battery. If it's a 0 maintenance (like a gell cell) then I think you can get away with not having it enclosed.

Click to expand...

Are Optima batteries of this type? If that is the case, the additional cost of the Optima would be a wash with what I would save by not enclosing my perfectly capable lead-acid battery.

Thanks for the info... waiting for a few more to chime in

 

F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Founding Member

Dec 6, 1999

4,818

1

69

BC Canada

Nov 24, 2004

#4

• Nov 24, 2004

• #4

66P51GT said:

Are Optima batteries of this type? If that is the case, the additional cost of the Optima would be a wash with what I would save by not enclosing my perfectly capable lead-acid battery.

Thanks for the info... waiting for a few more to chime in

Click to expand...

Yes, optima batteries qualify as a 0 maintenance battery.

 

S

Sicarius428

Active Member

Jan 6, 2004

2,085

5

49

Nov 25, 2004

#5

• Nov 25, 2004

• #5

You should probably go with an enclosure anyways. Keeps stuff away from the battery and keeps your electronics separate from everything else. Summit sells the plastic tub type but stick to the metal ones.
Kevin

 

Hack

15 Year Member

Mar 23, 2004

1,945

13

69

Minneapolis

Nov 25, 2004

#6

• Nov 25, 2004

• #6

Try this for non-expert, non-scientific advice.

I've noticed that even maintenance free batteries get ugly corrosion and crud around them over time. While it helps to use cleaner and sealer on the posts and clamps regularly, things still can get somewhat nasty.

I'm planning on sealing the battery in and putting a vent on it just to contain any possible mess. I guess it's probably overkill, but my front inner fender and battery mount area is so corroded... I just don't want that to begin happening in my trunk once I relocate the battery.

My 2 cents.

 

beanplant

Founding Member

Jun 25, 2002

548

0

0

KC MO

Nov 25, 2004

#7

• Nov 25, 2004

• #7

Go to Oreilly and get the plastic box for the battery. It's what I went with, and I'm very happy. I just made a mount in my trunk for it.

-Shaun