Battery Tray Update

The battery tray was fitted a while ago and I always knew I needed to tweak the tray since the battery was slightly smaller.

I fitted an aluminium strip to the front of the tray, bolted in using countersunk set screws to make up for the thinness of the battery.  Instead of just an L shaped bracket pressing the battery down, I wanted to fit a full clamp to ensure the battery can't move.  I welded a stainless steel extension onto the originally supplied bracket along with an adjustable clamp.  I also fitted neoprene to the top of the tray so the battery can't slide.  

Engine Bay Battery Connectors

I always had an idea of using an Anderson connector inside the engine bay to allow access to the battery for jump starting / charging purposes.

After playing around with the connectors, and the limited space around where I was hoping to install it, I thought I would abandon that idea since I felt that my knuckles would probably get badly damaged. And also if I didn't have an Anderson connector adaptor with me, somebody with standard jump leads wouldn't be able to help.

I bought some 250A heavy duty remote battery charging posts.  For the positive, I tucked the connector up and under as far as I could to keep accessible, above the cooling water pipes and inside the battery compartment.  A cable was then run to the battery terminal.

For the negative side, I cut down the post, turned it down in the lathe, drilled a hole through the centre and bolted it to the chassis using a coutersunk set screw.  This bolts onto the chassis where the main negative battery cable connects to the chassis.

Altogether a more funtional use of connection in case it is ever needed.

Car Electrics

I researched a bit on types of batteries since I wanted to get a battery as big and powerful as possible.  I decided to go for an Optima Red-Top battery which is a sealed AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) type.  This is designed as an ultimate starting battery which delivers "a strong burst of ignition power".  Measuring the battery meant that I cut a small bit out of the stainless battery tray to ensure it was going to fit.  I went for the RTU 4.2 version.  My plan is to use the front connections as a charging point linked to an Anderson connector in the engine bay.

I also have decided to fit a battery brain which cuts off the battery if you accidentally leave anything switched on.  This allows you still to be able to start the car once you switch it back on again.  It can also be used as an anti-theft device since it comes with coded remotes to switch it on and off.

I mounted this in the front passenger wheel well and made off the ends of all the cables once cut to length.  The photos don't show it, but I have fitted the battery clamp and connected the main wire to the starter too.