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Posted: 23 Jan 2008 23:20
by hillbillyhector
oh... and it helps if you have no leaf springs

Posted: 24 Jan 2008 07:10
by vgwagon
A spare is more important for me than relocating a battery for just looks alone.
Plus I think wiring is much easier to do when the battery is up front.

Posted: 24 Jan 2008 08:23
by DryHeat
I've been thinking about this quite a bit also. When I first got my wagon the battery was bolted in the cargo area ... ick!!! It's back up front right now.

I started looking at the Hawker batteries and was intriqued to find a very skinny one. Only 3.11 inches wide and it only weighs 15 lbs!!

http://www.batterystore.com/Hawker/Hawk ... iQodFhOrAw

I am looking to put it in the left rear side panel area. When I measured the clearance I came up with between 3 1/2 and 4" approximately. I'm thinking that with a simple hold down bracket the battery could be hidden very easily. The safe routing of the positive cable could be a little interesting though.

Even though these batteries are listed as applicable for automotive use I am a little concerned about how well the will actually work.

Posted: 24 Jan 2008 08:43
by Dimebag
vgwagon wrote:A spare is more important for me than relocating a battery for just looks alone.
I couldn't agree more.

Posted: 24 Jan 2008 12:37
by hang_510
DryHeat wrote:I am looking to put it in the left rear side panel area. When I measured the clearance I came up with between 3 1/2 and 4" approximately. I'm thinking that with a simple hold down bracket the battery could be hidden very easily. The safe routing of the positive cable could be a little interesting though.
you can see that space in HBH shot - battbox1.
that was plan A for me

plan B=since im likely removing the back seat that space would work well, other side could hold a tool box. all hidden :D

i need to keep the spare too and itll be a while before i can replace the leafs :evil:



i cant remember exactly who had issues, but when i used to sell those cyclon batteries, they didnt have that capacity youd want for use in a DD vehicle.
sealed gel cells would work better

Posted: 24 Jan 2008 13:04
by thisismatt
How about just behind the wheel well, partially into the quarter panel?

Posted: 24 Jan 2008 19:24
by DryHeat
Brian ... sorry about that last link ... I should have looked a little closer before I posted it ... try this link ... I hate frames based sites ... so 90's!!!!

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/applica ... rcraft.htm

What I found most interesting was the description - "Drycell design for mounting in any orientation and fully aerobatic use" - could be useful here in Phoenix as there are cars going airborn here every day.

Matt ... I was looking at the area just behind the wheel well. I think that if you really really want to hide the battery and keep the rest of the car fairly stock ... this is about the only place.

This battery would fit but I too question the reliability/durability of dry cell batteries. My fear would be that it would fail and there would be no aircraft repair stores open so I could get a replacement.

Posted: 25 Jan 2008 10:11
by hang_510
^you could just bungee cord it to the roof rack :lol:
other than size, anything would get you off the road.

i would hate to be in a plane that had a battery fail :shock:


it looks like NAPA can get them. ive seen em at my local shop.

Posted: 25 Jan 2008 10:29
by Dimebag
hang_510 wrote:i would hate to be in a plane that had a battery fail :shock:
Airplane batteries aren't much different than car batteries - primarily used for starting. Once you're up and running, the alternator or generator keeps you going. A poorly maintained NiCad battery in the throws of thermal runaway can get messy (extremely rare occurance) - engine failure would have me a little more concerned, but I digress.

Re: wagon battery relocation

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 13:37
by 68 Wagon
I have a PC680 in my VG30e 4 door. Mounted right where the battery usually goes. 15 lbs. instead of 35-45lbs. Never had a problem as the car starts instantly. Have taken it out and put it in my 70 Roadster which has the SU's and does not start as quickly but it works and no outgassing to worry about either. The military uses this type of battery for their Hum vees I understand.

I was thinking of a regular battery in the trunk on the passenger side but you are still lugging around an additional 30 lbs. or so. Why?

In all the years I've owned Datsuns the regular lead acid battery has always outgassed and leaked a little. When I picked up the VG and it had the PC680 in it I totally changed my mind about dry cell batteries.

Just my 2 cents

Re: wagon battery relocation

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 14:19
by okayfine
68 Wagon wrote: Why?
170 CCA

The Optimas I run are 700+CCA, bigger reserve, take more abuse, sit on the shelf for a year and still turn over the car after you're done with the swap.

Different strokes. If the light/lightweight battery works for you, it's definitely less mass. DQ had a piece on wagon battery relocating:


DQ Volume 9 Issue 1 - Tech How-To: Battery Relocation - If you want to relocate the battery in a wagon, you’ll need to find a place to put it. Dan Heil shows you two likely spots.

Re: wagon battery relocation

Posted: 01 Jan 2014 14:44
by defdes
I just cranked my car over after sitting for 13 1/2 months. I was expecting to have to jump it, but the Optima said "No".