Battery Relocation...

CamTom12 · Feb 13, 2012

I got a random idea this morning to relocate my batteries to my toolbox. It'd make room to put my coolant heater under the hood and room for a turbo on the other side when I finally get to that point.

My toolbox is an aux tank as well - I don't know if that'll be an issue.

I thought about building an aluminum box and lining the floor of it with rubber to go inside the toolbox compartment (opposite side of the fuel filler / fuel pump), cutting a hole in the side of the box to run a vent and the cables out from there.

For reference, I'm talking about the right side of the box:

I figure that'd be fine, but I figured I'd see what the consensus was before I start working on it.

Red_93_L · Feb 13, 2012

Sounds interesting for sure. I've been kicking around the idea of mounting mine on the passenger frame rail just to clear up room under the hood. Guess I'll be watching to see what you come up with.

O2ShootTheJ · Feb 13, 2012

not sure if I'd want my batteries right on top of fuel though

CAT35niner · Feb 13, 2012

Red_93_L said:
Sounds interesting for sure. I've been kicking around the idea of mounting mine on the passenger frame rail just to clear up room under the hood. Guess I'll be watching to see what you come up with.

I have my batteries relocated to the passenger side frame rail. It definetly does open up more room in the engine bay. It wasn't that hard to do and I guess I did it right cause I haven't had any problems yet...nock on wood tho.

MINK · Feb 13, 2012

Blcksmk08 said:
I have my batteries relocated to the passenger side frame rail. It definetly does open up more room in the engine bay. It wasn't that hard to do and I guess I did it right cause I haven't had any problems yet...nock on wood tho.

Any pics of your setup? I'm wanting to do the same.

6.0dirtworker · Feb 13, 2012

Mine are also in the toolbox. like stated above, it does open the bay up alot

Erikclaw · Feb 13, 2012

I would use some of those plastic battery holders if mounting them in a box or bed. Gets rid of the likely hood of a wrench or something hitting the terminals.

Vader's Fury · Feb 13, 2012

:whs:

CamTom12 · Feb 13, 2012

My idea is to build a sealed aluminum box with a rubber liner on the floor and a vent to outside the toolbox itself. But, I dont know about the fuel box. Seems like it'd be ok to me if it's insulated properly, but I figured I'd ask the group.

Erikclaw · Feb 13, 2012

I have seen it done before. Should be fine if they are kept in their own inclosure.

Red_93_L · Feb 13, 2012

Blcksmk08 let's see some pics

Tree Trimmer · Feb 13, 2012

just keep in mind, that the new battery cable, while needing to be longer, will also need to be ALOT larger, to prevent line loss do to the additional length.

and as for a aluminum box, i dont think i would make a box out of something that conducts electricity, thats sitting right over fuel, where if it for some reason arced, it would electrify the entire thing.

me personally, i would use the plastic battery boxes with plastic lids, like you would put in a boat, to put my batteries in, then make a aluminum cover, so it was presentable. think the steps on a semi, where the batteries go, kind of cover. you could orient the plastic boxes on the right side, side by side, then put your cover over all of it.

just a suggestion.

MINK · Feb 13, 2012

What gauge wire is everyone using?

CAT35niner · Feb 13, 2012

MINK said:
What gauge wire is everyone using?

IIRC i used 2/0 battery cable.

I dug this picture out of somewhere.

Spatel23 · Feb 13, 2012

David (boostfed) relocated mine to the toolbox. I like how he did it. Lots of room.

CAT35niner · Feb 13, 2012

Its an older picture of the setup. Ive recently added two mudflaps one in front and one in the rear to protect from the snow and they actually worked to my surprise lol.

Tree Trimmer · Feb 13, 2012

yup, spatel's way is kind of what i was saying. turn that 90*, lets you put another battery next to it if you wanted, then make a aluminum plate over top, that draped down the side towards the rest of the tool box, and you'd never know they were there.

then if you had a deep tool box, it would make a shelf over the batteries, and create that into useable space.

CamTom12 · Feb 13, 2012

Mines pretty shallow, unfortunately. But I should have plenty of room there. What'd you do about supporting your Degas bottles?

CAT35niner · Feb 13, 2012

CamTom12 said:
Mines pretty shallow, unfortunately. But I should have plenty of room there. What'd you do about supporting your Degas bottles?

The battery box is formed into the degas bottle so mine is still there right now but i have something that will be taking its place.

CamTom12 · Feb 13, 2012

Blcksmk08 said:
The battery box is formed into the degas bottle so mine is still there right now but i have something that will be taking its place.

Yup, and so is the vacuum resovoir. I've got a plan for the vacuum res, but I'm not sure how I'd separate the degas bottle without hacking the factory battery tray up. What do you have in the works?

EDIT: I went outside and did some measuring. The batteries (motorcraft) are 7.5" H (top of post) x 7.5" W x 12.25" L. In the toolbox I've got 9.5" of height and 14.5" wide (at the latch, which is 1" from the top of the side and the narrowest part). Looks like plenty of room to mount in there and still have lots of toolbox space leftover.