Home › Forums › MGTD Kit Cars › VW Based Kits › Battery Cable Length
- This topic has 20 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 5 months ago by KentT.
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July 25, 2016 at 2:32 pm #300435
I will be keeping the battery in front of the gas tank as designed and I will purchase the battery cable from Franklin Battery (a local automotive electrical shop). I think a 72 inch cable will be enough but my rough measurements say 116 inches. Does my measurement sound to long?
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 25, 2016 at 9:31 pm #300705Depends on how you route it, I’d think. Why not mock it up with a length of clothesline or anchor rope first?
July 25, 2016 at 9:39 pm #300714Ed. That’s a great idea. You young fellas CAN teach this old dog a new trick or two. Thanks!
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 26, 2016 at 5:34 pm #300965Ed et all with a VW based TDr with the battery in the box in front of the gas tank. I did a string mock up of the battery cable run and the battery cable on mine is 139 inches. That gives me about 1-1/2 inches of free plat near the starter solenoid.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 26, 2016 at 6:16 pm #300967I’ve recently seen these new batteries at my favorite VW supply shop. they’re about a third the size of the battery I have in the front of the car. I was thinking of installing the smaller battery in the engine compartment using the gained space up front for tool storage or possibly an extra gas tank. It would also let me get rid of the long heavy battery cable from the front of the car to the starter. Any thoughts?
July 26, 2016 at 6:38 pm #300969My original plan was to install the battery under the passenger seat. Decided against it because I prefer the storage area. Plus not sure if the heater duct would fit in there with the battery. And I want the passenger heater duct as well. So I’m sticking with the original kit location. I can mount the jack on the firewall in front of the battery. And extra fuel is in behind the grill shell but only on LONG TRIPS. Its removed normally.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 26, 2016 at 8:45 pm #300996Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess the battery under the passenger seat (i.e.: stock VW location).
There is plenty of room for the heater duct to run between the battery and the bodywork.
Caveat…if a different manufacturer, your situation may be different.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
July 26, 2016 at 9:45 pm #301019Hey Paul
I didn’t know about the battery being located under the passenger seat, mine came with the battery in the front. I’ll have to check and see if mine will work there also. Sounds like a great idea, it would keep it away from the heat of the engine as well. Id love to add another gas tank if possible or even keep my emergency tools there and free up the room above the wooden deck that runs from the ballast box to the fire wall.
Thanks for your insight!
July 26, 2016 at 10:08 pm #301022I like the battery up front for ballast. My car does not have any sand or rocks up front to add weight, but the battery weighs 40 or 50 pounds and sits just behind the front wheels, so I figure that helps keep the nose planted when I get too enthusiastic going up the on ramp. I’d use one of the mini batteries if mine was located aft of the car’s center of gravity.
July 27, 2016 at 8:08 pm #301145Wow! After checking the cost for 139 inch battery cable and connectors, I’ll have to see if I have enough room to fit the battery under the passenger seat with the heater duct. BTW… I found some Army flexible orange color heater tubes on the bay. Got four of them ordered.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 28, 2016 at 5:33 pm #301189What kind of prices did you see Allen?
This is $3 per foot:
http://www.wiringproducts.com/6-awg-gauge-black-battery-cable
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
July 28, 2016 at 6:34 pm #301197IMHO #6 AWG is too small.
I would not be comfortable with smaller wire than gauge 1/0. There are a lot of variables which go into determining the right size, I planned for 150 amp starter draw (cold morning tough start condition) and 10 ft total wire (positive + negative).
July 28, 2016 at 7:15 pm #301198I’m with Roy. A 10′ run of cable require something large.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"July 28, 2016 at 7:33 pm #301200Paul. Wither a standard battery connection on one end and a standard starter terminal connection on the other end, I was quoted 142.50 +tax. Its a bit too steep for my meager existence.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 29, 2016 at 11:19 am #301232Yeah. Sorry Allen.
Based on the advice above, i checked that site again. 1/0 is on sale for $42 per five foot length. You can add the connectors yourself, but price will probably end up near the quote you already have.
If the battery fits under your seat, the standard VW cables will work.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
July 29, 2016 at 12:17 pm #301239Paul. I guess I’ll go with the battery under the seat as I’ve measured and it will fit. BTW…the CMC/Fiberfab Assembly Manual says to fit the 2 inch diameter hear hose through the hole drilled in the body base. Funny; nowhere in the manual does it tell you to drill that particular hole. I’l locate it as best I an near the ouster edge of the seat base. That’s after I finish the door issues.
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 29, 2016 at 1:55 pm #301241In following electric car diy websites I have noticed that they are always on the lookout for used heavy gauge welding cables for battery wiring. Maybe a yard sale or craigslist item.
July 29, 2016 at 6:37 pm #301248Allen, if you put it under the seat, it needs to be inward close to the tunnel. The tube for the heater box must go outside, near the door – where there’s enough space on that rear panel for the holes. Yet, the tubes must pass by the arms on the rear torsion bar so they can’t go outboard all the way to the sidewall. I suggest you deal with your heater ducts before you make a final decision.
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...July 31, 2016 at 4:51 pm #301326I don’t disagree with Kent. (Don’t you love that? It probably means my next sentence is where I’m gonna disagree! 😈 )
But if you put it under the seat, your best approach is to use the standard VW battery mount.
That’s how my Duchess is set up. And as I noted above, there is plenty of room between the battery and the inner side panels for the heat tube.
Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica RoadsterIf you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)
July 31, 2016 at 7:43 pm #301327Per my assembly manual, I am supposed to drill a 2-1/2 inch hole with the center of the hole 2-1/2 inches from the outer edge of the seat base. But the Fiberfab manual says to locate the seat base and drill a pilot hole through the front end of the seat base and straight back into the body tub. But both assembly manuals say drill a 2-1/2 inch hole and install a 2 inch diameter hose. To my thinking, that leaves 1/4 inch all around the tube. Odd…. 😯
Allen Caron
VW based 53MGTD - "MoneyPenny"
"If one thing matters, everything matters" - from the book The ShackJuly 31, 2016 at 8:48 pm #301328The tube is 2″ inside diameter, unless I’m mistaken. A 2.25″ hole would be a fairly snug fit, while a 2.5″ makes for easy installation.
Paul, I was going solely from my experience on my early FF and my 69 pan which had the original battery mounting tabs removed. The rear shelf height could also vary from one kit manufacturer to another, which determines how much vertical “firewall” there is and where you could place a 2.5″ hole.
No worries…
- This reply was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by KentT.
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes... -
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