DIY: Battery relocation to Washer fluid

pyropal188 · 05-08-2011, 10:35 PM

With out going into to much detail, i wanted to lighten my battery weight and free up some room behind the radiator for better air flow. so i decided to made a custom plate to mount the battery, a voltmeter and a 100 amp circuit breaker were the washer fluid bottle would be located. i know this isn't a "ground breaking idea", i just wanted to add my own components to the setup.

i as able to use the original ground and positive lead from the starter motor. i did have to rewire the EPS power,rewire the power to the main fuse box and shorten up the alternator wire.

- $18.48 3-1/2 Digital Blue LED DC 2V 20V Meter (8135) http://www.lightobject.com/3-12-Digi...135-P219.aspx#
(if i did it again i would buy the mini on instead) http://www.lightobject.com/3-digit-M...eter-P328.aspx
- $170 Braille Battery B2015C 15 lbs 1067 PCA 6.8" x 3.4" x 6.1" Carbon Racing Battery www.autopartsdealer.com (on sale)

- $42 100 amp maribe Circut breaker (can probably find cheaper)
http://order.waytekwire.com/products...%20Protection/

-1/4 inch aluminum plate i had lying around at work.you can buy from mcmaster Carr or maybe your local scrap dealer will have misc aluminum plates you can purchase and cut up.

-Time to make plate and hold down arms-Priceless

The first picture is my original design that i later scrapped.

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pyropal188 · 05-08-2011, 10:37 PM

more pics of the unfinished wiring mess

dmedz8 · 05-08-2011, 10:41 PM

what was the price of everything? do you have any links?

paimon.soror · 05-08-2011, 10:46 PM

I like!!! +1 on pricing and links

rx8_504 · 05-08-2011, 10:58 PM

Nice set up dude

monchie · 05-09-2011, 01:23 AM

No problem or issues with the swap?

RX8Soldier · 05-09-2011, 09:22 AM

I like this. I just wish I lived in an environment where I didn't need my window washer so often...

pyropal188 · 05-09-2011, 06:05 PM

No problems at all. Actually runs better because i added extra grounds. there is a body ground and engine ground conveniently located right next to new location of the battery.
I figured the most i use the washer fuid is in the winter time, with all the salt they use in Illinois. but i dont drive in the winter anymore. and since my car is so thirsty i just clean the window every time i fill up.

pyropal188 · 05-09-2011, 06:16 PM

Final product

paimon.soror · 05-09-2011, 06:36 PM

So are you going to market this bracket??? Count me in if you are, thats freakin sexy!

jskup1 · 05-09-2011, 06:39 PM

Wanna sell your clear winshield washer tank?

dmedz8 · 05-09-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paimon.soror

So are you going to market this bracket??? Count me in if you are, thats freakin sexy!

+1

rx8_504 · 05-09-2011, 08:13 PM

I wouldnt mind buying a bracket of you, if you decide to fab some more...its good to free up some space for the radiator and makes it easier then relocating the battery to the trunk

paimon.soror · 05-09-2011, 08:57 PM

i hear a group buy

TeamRX8 · 05-09-2011, 10:21 PM

you might want to wait and see how long that battery lasts in the engine bay heat first ...

dmedz8 · 05-09-2011, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamRX8

you might want to wait and see how long that battery lasts in the engine bay heat first ...

uh oh...

stinksause · 05-10-2011, 12:30 AM

teamrx8 is always the party police ...

pyropal188 · 05-10-2011, 12:50 PM

are you suggesting i mount it in th trunk?

pyropal188 · 05-10-2011, 12:54 PM

i will consider making a few more if i have time

Grimm0ne · 05-11-2011, 08:36 PM

I like the idea, but as TeamRx8 said, heat as thats the side with the most heat (lazer temp gun for the win).

I would do the whole setup, but for some reason, that empty space seems off in your picture, i would need to put something there or fab a cover..
but mad props for the build.

pyropal188 · 05-12-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm0ne

I like the idea, but as TeamRx8 said, heat as thats the side with the most heat (lazer temp gun for the win).

I would do the whole setup, but for some reason, that empty space seems off in your picture, i would need to put something there or fab a cover..
but mad props for the build.

I am a little concerned about the heat from the exhaust being so close to the battery.

Will this work? if i enclose the battery in a box. make a few holes in the box on the passenger side of the box and vent the box to the negative air pressure being created by the gap between the hood and the windshield? it would pull in the air through the holes and vent by the hood.

shadycrew31 · 05-15-2011, 01:30 PM

My only issue with having the battery in the trunk is that I bought my car with a valet key only

. If the battery ever died it would be a pain in the *** to get it open.

No idea where the actual keys for the car are the dealer said if they found them they would forward it to me.

So if you find a nifty solution to keep the battery cool please let me know!!

paimon.soror · 05-15-2011, 02:26 PM

Just throwing ideas out there, but if you want to keep that location, maybe you could fab up some sort of duct from aluminum panels?

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1305487668

you can maybe see where I am going with this, but have some "ram air" type venting lead to the battery. Again, just throwing ideas out there.

pyropal188 · 06-19-2012, 12:26 PM

For the heat and the battery follow up. the battery has been in for more than a year now. i have done 1 track day and numerous high speed highway driving cruises. no issues with the battery so far. i am still thinking of putting in a heat-shield in to be safe

paimon.soror · 06-19-2012, 12:51 PM

build me one then! lol.

I actually use my washer fluid, so i would need something to go in the oem battery location that looks nice and still gets some air flow across it.