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Relocate my battery? Yes or no

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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 09:18 PM
  #1  
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Default Relocate my battery? Yes or no

I know how to do it, just wondering if I SHOULD do it.

I've also got a whole bunch of 1/0 and 4 AWG welding cable wire. I've been trying to sell it but no luck. Probably enough to do two battery relocations. Also, my tray is broken and I am going to be doing an amp install (stereo crapped out on me) so if I'm going to do it might as well be now.

I just keep changing my mind whether I should do this or not. My car is not a true DD, but I do like to drive it when it runs More of a weekend toy / sometimes strip / sunny/warm weather driver. I would hide the cut off switch by putting it behind my license plate or behind a spare tail light if I did this mod. (except when at the track, of course).
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 09:20 PM
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i would say no, because you can save more weight by putting a lightweight battery in the front, and save the trouble of the wiring.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 10:39 PM
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Honestly if you have the cable already I would do it. Just remember it will occupy interior room (which there isn't a whole lot of) and it will need to be properly vented and/or run a sealed battery type for safety reasons.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 10:58 PM
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I was seriously thinking about it for awhile and I decided to not do it. Also you have to think about all the power your waisting going with that big long wire. It take voltage to run through the wire... Not to mention how heavy the wire is when you run it all the way through the car to the back. Not worth it IMO. Get a lightweight battery like mentioned above.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 11:05 PM
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Voltage drop is only a factor if the wire is not sized properly. If done correctly, there will be no ill electrical effects.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
Voltage drop is only a factor if the wire is not sized properly. If done correctly, there will be no ill electrical effects.
Yes the longer the wire the more voltage drop you will have. It will take a little more juice to start the car. The longer the wire the more resistance you will have.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 11:50 PM
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Voltage drop is dependent on voltage, length of wire, gauge of wire, and amperage draw on said circuit. If the wire is sized correctly, it will not adversely effect anything. Meaning the voltage drop would be insignificant.
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Old Sep 12, 2011 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
Voltage drop is dependent on voltage, length of wire, gauge of wire, and amperage draw on said circuit. If the wire is sized correctly, it will not adversely effect anything. Meaning the voltage drop would be insignificant.
Yes exactly and there is no way to overcome the length of wire. You can't just run a really small wire because its a long wire. Im not saying it will be a huge difference or anything. I am just saying with that long of a wire it will take more voltage to start...
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 12:52 AM
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You missed where he said he 1/0 welding wire. That's like the size of garden hose
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 01:05 AM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
You missed where he said he 1/0 welding wire. That's like the size of garden hose
lol. I see that as a lose lose situation though. That has to weigh like 10 lbs of extra weight added to the car with all the extra hardware. Plus you have to add more stuff to make it legal at the track.... Not worth it IMO, but what do I know I just spent almost $500 on a fast 90/90 setup lol
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 06:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Z28Roxy
...Also, my tray is broken and I am going to be doing an amp install
Sounds like several good reasons to do it.

1/0 cable in NOT the size of a garden hose, that would be 4/0. 1/0 is the usual size to use when moving the battery to the rear. Using 1/0 wire actually exhibits less voltage drop from the trunk to the starter than the stock battery cables do. It really doesn't add as much weight as some might think. The 1/0 gauge wire only needs to get to the starter. From there to the alternator & front power center, 4 gauge is all that's ever needed.

Done correctly, this is a nice mod.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by z99ls1
Get a lightweight battery like mentioned above.
I'm not trying to get every last ounce of performance out of this car. It's not that type of project. More of just a fast cruiser with some creature comforts. I also have (or will be adding) more than enough electrical stuff and I don't think that's a good idea with a lightweight battery.

I'd do this more with the weight distribution and also if done right convenience I guess. Some stuff that needs a switched 12v source or lead can be hooked to the battery if in the interior and other stuff can be hooked to the stock junction block under the hood.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Bell

1/0 cable in NOT the size of a garden hose,
It was for effect.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
It was for effect.
AHH I see.

I'm about to FINALLY do this job myself.

Last edited by Paul Bell; Sep 13, 2011 at 07:36 PM.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 04:31 PM
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nice, where are you mounting the battery? id like to do this as well... in for pics
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 04:45 PM
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I thought about it on my Chevelle, but honestly just don't think the extra weight from the cable and the work is worth it.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul Bell
1/0 is the usual size to use when moving the battery to the rear. Using 1/0 wire actually exhibits less voltage drop from the trunk to the starter than the stock battery cables do. It really doesn't add as much weight as some might think. The 1/0 gauge wire only needs to get to the starter. From there to the alternator & front power center, 4 gauge is all that's ever needed.
I will second this information.

So from that, and between the tray being broken, and wanting to add an amp, then i vote yes.
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 08:08 PM
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"YES" has passed "NO"!
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Old Sep 13, 2011 | 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by thunderstruck507
I thought about it on my Chevelle, but honestly just don't think the extra weight from the cable and the work is worth it.
Exactly
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Old Sep 14, 2011 | 03:59 AM
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This is a weight transfer mod....stay off the cheeseburgers for a week or two to offset the 2lb's of xtra cable
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