battery relocation
 

hey guys i bought a bigger battery so it would be able to handle my sub and amp and last longer now it wont fit in my hood so im going to relocate it in the trunk anwyyas the only thing is a week ago looking on the internet i found a website all about battery explosions and how a battery should be in a ventilated space because the battery sometimes gives off hydrogen vapours and if a spark ignites these vapours the battery will explode im guessing this is very unsafe sitting in the trunk of a hatch back and also theres not much ventilation and apparently this could happen randomly.. plus i have a sub in the back soo i dunno someone let me know if they know anything about this or have any knowledge on the subject... cus i know somone who did this relocation and never had a problem but somehow i came across a site that made me think twice before i begin... i know if the positive and negative are somehow directly connected this could cause an explosion but i have never heard of this gas crap i know its a wierd question to be asking but i couldnt find much info on this on TCC soo im asking now.. let meknow guys thanks..

I've had a blue top Optima in my trunk for about 3 years now, and it hasn't exploded yet. Cars are not airtight.

Wow, next time use periods and the enter button so its easier to read. I only got through the first few lines, but here it goes.

Please do not put your battery in the trunk. The vapours are harmful and the facts you found out about the relocation are true, it is dangerous.

The two way to mount a battery inside the cabin is to use a sealed battery such as a "yellow top" or to use a proper battery box. As long as the yellow top is properly secured it is safe. The battery box will be sealed and vented to outside of the vehicle. I can't really remember but there is a requirement I believe about having a switch located outside of the vehicle if the battery is in the trunk.

BTW simply buying a bigger battery will not solve your stereo issues. The reason your batteries die is because they cannot handle the spikes in the voltage and will destroy them overtime. Add a cap to decrease the spikes in voltage and purchase a battery designed for stereos such as an Optima, they can be beat on and drained many times and still work overtime.

/\ so would u advise putting a yellow top Optima in the trunk if u install a fan or two for ventilation purposes?

I don't think the optima batteries "vent" any gases.

Link

Damn I knew their batteries was good but not this good. Tnks for the find bro.

they are not that good dont be fooled. i work for a battery company that distributes optima batteries and i know from personal experience that they do not last 6-9 years. optima batteries DO vent and some of them DO have lead acid in them. how do i know. well we cut open my 51r (eg stock replacment sized battery) and took the top off and there was acid. we found out that for the second time my yellowtop optima battery had the cells seperate, meaning the battery wont work.

People don't get me wrong optima batteries are good but like a normal battery they are flawed. the red top optima batteries are for starting and the yellow are for long period use. the problem is they dont make a red top to fit a civic or integra.

I have as of last year returned to a "wet" normal battery and dont get problems.

just my $0.02

anrt u suppose to use the gel type in the trunk i dunno if they are the optima ones...plus theres like this saftey box u can put the battery in for extra precaution or w/e

no do not use a gel battery for any automotive applocations. and yes there are battery boxes and i believe he is going to use one.

Which battery would be the best for a Honda Civic then in this case?

in this car i would still go with the optima battery but if you are putting it in your trunk make sure it is in a sealed battery boxed with some sort of ventilation, because as stated before batterys give off toxi gases such as nitrogen i think dont quote me on that tho...good luck tho

Battery Relocation

Relocating the battery to the trunk opens up a large amount of room in the cramped engine bay. This space can be used to add an air filter (if the compressor is on the passenger side) or any number of other components such as ignition boxes, oil filter, and the PCV catch can. Putting the battery in the cabin with passengers does present some problems. As a battery charges, it creates hydrogen from the battery posts (a sealed battery won't even prevent this), hydrogen build up in the cabin is not a good thing. Also if the battery were to break open, acid vapor could fill the cabin. To prevent these problems, a sealed battery box like that from Moroso (see bellow) should be used. The Moroso box lid has a rubber strip on the inside of it to seal the box. The easiest place to add the box and battery is in the rear most corner of the rear hatch area. This position will allow access to the spare tire well and easy routing of battery cables (Moroso has a battery cable kit, see below) down the side of the car. Installation is easy. Determine the position of the box, drill 2 holes through the box and through the floor of the car (mind the rear tow hooks), then bolt the box to the floor. With the Moroso box, the bolts used to bolt the box into the car also serve as the battery retaining bolts. Drill holes in the side of the box and side trim piece to run the cables through. Wire the cable up to the main engine wiring harness to supply power (check your repair manual's electrical system diagrams). If you plan to run your car on a NHRA sanctioned track you will be required to have a bolted in, sealed, battery box to pass tech if the battery has been relocated. Depending on how serious the techs are at the track, they may also require a rear accessible battery master cut off switch. This means a switch that can be accessed from to the rear and outside of the car that shuts all power off must be installed. This is so when you crash they can turn off all power to the car quickly.

thanks for the replys guys ... i guess i wont do it unless i have the right stuff to install it safely...... its probably more applicable to a track car that u wont be in every day.. ill mayb do it some day if i find the box included in the last post

sorry, i meant to include the lnk in the post

http://www.moroso.com/default.asp

get a yellow top and leave it under the hood