Battery relocation question

[Neal]

Due to a new rear tie-bar, I now have to relocate my battery again.
I have a 1986 VW GTI and last year i moved the battery to the r/r corner for a little better counter-balancing. Unfortunately my new tie-bar runs right across where the battery is/was, so time to move it again.

I would like to mount it to the floor behind the r/f passenger seat. The rules specify that they are not allowed in the "passenger compartment". It then explains that behind the rearmost seat is not considered the passenger compartment. Since my class allows me to remove my rear seat, the r/f seat is now my rearmost seat.
So is it legal? Will this work as a loophole?
It is an Optima, so no venting/fume issues and it will also be in a battery box.

Since I have worked tech at multiple events, I have seen more than a few batteries mounted even more forward, including in the r/f footwell.

This is more for the safety inspection. Since I routinely get spanked in my class, I doubt anybody will protest.

[woodrufj]

Think about trying a smaller battery in your r/r location? Little gel cell odysseys turn just about anything (including my truck's V8), weigh <15lbs and can lay in any orientation. The optima's are good batteries, but heavy for their rating and have sometimes succumb to vibration.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[Neal]

Think about trying a smaller battery in your r/r location? Little gel cell odysseys turn just about anything (including my truck's V8), weigh <15lbs and can lay in any orientation. The optima's are good batteries, but heavy for their rating and have sometimes succumb to vibration.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota
Only problem with that, I'm a cheap bastard. I need to get a little more out of the $100 battery I just bought last year:o

That may be my next option though, especially since mounting the Optima in the spare well will require fabricating a custom bracket.

[Monster8V]

One way to save weight and still retain the stock location is to use a Braile battery. Overall the weight savings is worth it compared to the added cable to locate the battery in the rear. Its 11lbs, cranks anything you got. I have one in my Scirocco track car. Works great for me.

http://www.usrallyteam.com/images/braille_sm.jpg

I got mine from here.
http://www.usrallyteam.com/braille.html

[frosty]

How long do they last? $160 is a lot for a battery with a 1 year warrenty... :eek:

I mean, if you are serious about weight loss, it's a good idea. I mean, how much could it actually save you?

[jason]

My OEM battery is something like 40lbs, so that's 25lbs+ of savings in a critical location (very front of the car and high up too). You have to remember, we're talking car mods here. $160 is a pretty good value.

Their website says it should last 3-5 years. Don't most batteries have a prorated warranty anyways, with full replacment only during the 1st year?

[LTDScott]

Anyone have any experience with how long these batteries last between use?

I have heard that the Odyssey batteries won't last a long time without a charge, which sucks because my car sometimes doesn't get driven for a month.

[Monster8V]

Anyone have any experience with how long these batteries last between use?

I have heard that the Odyssey batteries won't last a long time without a charge, which sucks because my car sometimes doesn't get driven for a month.


My car gets driven once a month, every month, for the whole 2 day weekend. I put about 450 race miles on the car. I do however put a charger on it and hit it with 2amps overnight before I leave the house. Then I also pull the battery kill switch so it doesnt drain on its own. Works great for what I do and I have friends who have them in their street car and havent had any problems. YMMV. ;)

[woodrufj]

When new, mine would go about 5 weeks. Its 2years old now and will only last 3 weeks. But a quick jump and I'm off.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota


I have heard that the Odyssey batteries won't last a long time without a charge, which sucks because my car sometimes doesn't get driven for a month.

[MX5bob]

Anyone have any experience with how long these batteries last between use?

I have heard that the Odyssey batteries won't last a long time without a charge, which sucks because my car sometimes doesn't get driven for a month.

Mine's less than a year old and starts the Miata even after sitting for 3-4 weeks. Still would be best to have a trickle charger on it.

[chapmanr]

The issue with Odysseys is that they drain if they have any draw at all while being stored. If you unhook the ground you don't need to worry about trickle charging it unless its stored for a long time.

[Neal]

I might end up going to the lightweight battery afterall.

Here is a good discussion from another forum about them. It's basically a debate about brands, but there are links to a couple of websites selling these lightweight batteries for UNDER $100;)

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2353060&page=1

[raptor22]

^^^That's cool! Thanks for posting a link to it, I need a new battery for my car, but am on a very tight budget. That will let me get something nice and light.

My dad came home with this duralast battery that weighed about 70 lb's (no joke) for it. Luckily, it was too big so I had an excuse to take it back.

--Alex