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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: woodie on March 22, 2008, 08:28:26 PM

Title: battery relocation
Post by: woodie on March 22, 2008, 08:28:26 PM
 is it better to put the solenoid close to the battery or by the starter? thanks for any help Woodie
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: beegle55 on March 22, 2008, 08:52:05 PM
Seeing as my battery has its own battery box in the trunk of my Pinto, and the solenoid is still under the hood with the started, I'd say its safe up front under the hood, or at least that's what works for me.

     -beegle55
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: Pintony on March 22, 2008, 11:01:29 PM
Put the solinoid at the backclose the the batt..
If the solinoid is in front then the BIG positive cable is hot all the way to the solinoid all the time. DANGEROUS
If the solinoid is in the rear only the part between the batt and the noid is Hot, except when the starter is cranking.
From Pintony
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: pintoches on March 22, 2008, 11:06:29 PM
I'm planing to put it under the dash to make the engine bay look cleaner
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: 77turbopinto on March 23, 2008, 08:01:06 AM
Quote from: pintoches on March 22, 2008, 11:06:29 PM
I'm planing to put it under the dash to make the engine bay look cleaner

Not that I reccamend it at all, but I hope you are planning to use one of those 'dry cell' types.....


Bill
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: woodie on March 23, 2008, 09:07:39 AM
 thanks for the help would I need to vent a dry cell? do they give off any gas> that would not be good inside the car thanks woodie
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: earthquake on March 23, 2008, 09:12:16 AM
The easy way to do it is to find a mini starter from a later model ranger.The solenoid is on the starter.
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: High_Horse on March 23, 2008, 09:46:50 AM
Leave the selenoid in it's stock location if you can...but like Pintony says closest to starter. I put my bats in the spare tire compartment ( see...ThunderPinto gets and interior...in projects) I ran a large, stranded, welding cable to make sure I could carry the amps for 15 feet and put it in a peice of 1/2 inch conduit as well. The cable just fit so I had to put it together in sections. This run is not pictured in my project so I will take some pics while the car is up on jacks and post them a little later today. I grounded to the body at the rear of the car with a big eyelet,soldered on and a 3/8th nut and bolt.

                                                                                      High_Horse
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: woodie on March 23, 2008, 11:07:19 AM
 will the heat from the turbo kill the solenoid? if I use the ranger starter
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: earthquake on March 23, 2008, 11:39:47 AM
I am using it so I don't have to replace them all the time cause my headers burned up the starter.It's smaller and lighter,much easier to change if they go out and removes one more item from under the hood.I guess I should say moves it.
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: 77turbopinto on March 23, 2008, 05:52:14 PM
Quote from: woodie on March 23, 2008, 09:07:39 AM
thanks for the help would I need to vent a dry cell? do they give off any gas> that would not be good inside the car thanks woodie
I have seen where they don't, but I still would not put it under the dash. I tucked mine in the left front fender.


Bill
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: High_Horse on March 23, 2008, 08:18:30 PM
Woodie,
Ran the cable through a hole that was already there for something. Ran the conduit down in the crotch of where the inner fender meets the firewall and continued along the frame member. Ran along the front frame member till it ended and then doglegged out to the inside of the of where the floor panel is joined to the body panel. Continued back till the rear wheel well and then doglegged back inside and then up. Look at 3 and 4 pics for this. Drilled a hole in the spare tire well and slipped it in. I made sure I placed hose over the cable where they go through holes to avoid a wear in the insullation.


                                                                                  High_Horse
     
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: map351 on March 23, 2008, 09:51:16 PM
I have my battery (dry cell) under the RT fender out of the way and i needed the 13Lb on the RT front..

Mike
(http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/5056/2433524350038663969S425x425Q85.jpg)
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: 77turbopinto on March 24, 2008, 07:05:23 AM
In addition to my posts in this thread:

I would not put the battery INSIDE the car unless it were in a SEALED & EXTERNALLY VENTED case that was designed specifically for it (unless it's an open racecar).

I feel the similar way for the gas tank. Even with the 'issues' of the stock Pinto tank, I like the tank being FULLY OUTSIDE of the passenger compartment. The only way that I would put one inside is IF it were a sedan and a full rear firewall was installed.


Bill

Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: hellfirejim on March 24, 2008, 08:11:46 AM
My Pinto has a fully sealed and vented box.  I run two cables to the front.  One ground and One hot.  Ran them out the right front lower splash panel and through the fender well into the engine compartment.  All holes have rubber grommets.  Clean and it works or at least for me.

jim
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: woodie on March 24, 2008, 09:22:51 AM
 I have a marine batterybox for a boat that I can vent out side would like to put in the rear passinger seat.
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: 77turbopinto on March 24, 2008, 09:24:39 AM
Quote from: woodie on March 24, 2008, 09:22:51 AM
I have a marine batterybox for a boat that I can vent out side would like to put in the rear passinger seat.

Is it a SEALED box?

Bill
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: earthquake on March 24, 2008, 11:49:39 AM
I also have my battery in the spare well,but only about 8 or 10 in of the cable is under the car .I'll try to take a few pics of the cable route.I routed the cable through the unibody.It isn't hard although you do have to remove a few things, but the cable has almost total protection from damage.
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: V8pinto_306_n2o on March 24, 2008, 02:37:06 PM
Quote from: Pintony on March 22, 2008, 11:01:29 PM
Put the solinoid at the backclose the the batt..
If the solinoid is in front then the BIG positive cable is hot all the way to the solinoid all the time. DANGEROUS
If the solinoid is in the rear only the part between the batt and the noid is Hot, except when the starter is cranking.
From Pintony

This is what I though too.  Also, the solenoid pushing everything seemed to be a better deal (at least in my head).  But then I wired it all up and still need the charge wire going from the alternator all the way back to the solenoid in the back of the car.  And since it's carrying current and traveling a long distance, it needs to be a decent gauge. 

So you can't win with this one.  You either have a hot wire running from batt to solenoid in front, or you have a hot wire running from alt to solenoid in rear.  Either way you're live all the time. 

Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: map351 on March 24, 2008, 03:31:14 PM
Quote from: V8pinto_306_n2o on March 24, 2008, 02:37:06 PM
  Also, the solenoid pushing everything seemed to be a better deal (at least in my head). 

#1 It's a starter RELAY.
#2 It don't PUSH anything, It closes a circuit, current passes through the  RELAY when triggered Via the IGN switch to the started SOLENOID that engages the drive gear in the flywheel..
#3 It doesn't make any difference where the RELAY is LOCATED..

Now i have a Headache!
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: Pintony on March 24, 2008, 10:05:48 PM
Quote from: map351 on March 24, 2008, 03:31:14 PM
#1 It's a starter RELAY.
#2 It don't PUSH anything, It closes a circuit, current passes through the  RELAY when triggered Via the IGN switch to the started SOLENOID that engages the drive gear in the flywheel..
#3 It doesn't make any difference where the RELAY is LOCATED..

Now i have a Headache!

Hello Map351,
R U saying it is just as safe having a BIG hot wire running to the front of a Pinto is safewas having a short wire leading to the solinoid that is hot???
Maybe I missed your point????
From Pintony
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: earthquake on March 24, 2008, 10:17:21 PM
The hot cable is no big deal.I ran an 0 gauge audio power cable and installed a 500 amp fuse 6 in off the battery.This does require that you carry a spare fuse as you are not likely to find one out on the road should anything happen.
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: Pintony on March 24, 2008, 10:31:06 PM
Quote from: earthquake on March 24, 2008, 10:17:21 PM
The hot cable is no big deal.I ran an 0 gauge audio power cable and installed a 500 amp fuse 6 in off the battery.This does require that you carry a spare fuse as you are not likely to find one out on the road should anything happen.
OK, yea! a fused cable is OK but I'm curious could you use a fuse with a starting cable???


I too have the BIG fuse on my Alpine system and YES I have to carry spares.
I reciently bought a circuit breaker for my system to eliminate the fuse. but I still have the BIG fuse near the amps for extra protection
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: High_Horse on March 24, 2008, 10:32:23 PM
It is actually safer to run the selenoid back by the battery and have the smaller wires (starter and ignition) hot back to there. I chose to run the big wire hot to the rear ...but...I ran it outside the car in conduit. If that big wire shorts somewhere there is going to be some serious heat  till the batts blow or the wire goes. And I prefer it to be outside the car. By running a couple of number tens....fused...One would have them circuits under control and not have a big heat hazard inside the car. I have planned to install one of those power disconnects but have yet to do so. I need to get that on my list.

                                                                                High_Horse
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: map351 on March 24, 2008, 11:36:08 PM
Since 1967 95% of my cars had a rear mounted batteries some had 2. Maybe I'm doing something wrong none of my cars burnt to the ground due to a shorted positive cable.
I use 00 welding cable to the STARTER RELAY! Use common sense, keep the cable out of way on the out side of the frame rail.
I don't see what the big deal is on this issue....

Mike
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: Pintony on March 24, 2008, 11:43:58 PM
Quote from: map351 on March 24, 2008, 11:36:08 PM
Since 1967 95% of my cars had a rear mounted batteries some had 2. Maybe I'm doing something wrong none of my cars burnt to the ground due to a shorted positive cable.
I use 00 welding cable to the STARTER RELAY! Use common sense, keep the cable out of way on the out side of the frame rail.
I don't see what the big deal is on this issue....

Mike

Hey Mike,
I've never done it myself??
Iduno I'm just going by logic.....
If you say it is OK then that is fine by me...
From Pintony
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: map351 on March 25, 2008, 09:42:52 AM
65 Shelby...

(http://i23.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/e4/19/3f45_12.JPG)
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: earthquake on March 25, 2008, 10:08:26 AM
Quote from: Pintony on March 24, 2008, 10:31:06 PM
OK, yea! a fused cable is OK but I'm curious could you use a fuse with a starting cable???


I too have the BIG fuse on my Alpine system and YES I have to carry spares.
I recently bought a circuit breaker for my system to eliminate the fuse. but I still have the BIG fuse near the amps for extra protection
My Battery cable runs from the battery forward to the solenoid so far no problems.The starter actually pulls less amps than the stereo.
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: V8pinto_306_n2o on March 25, 2008, 12:10:00 PM
Quote from: map351 on March 24, 2008, 03:31:14 PM
#1 It's a starter RELAY.
#2 It don't PUSH anything, It closes a circuit, current passes through the  RELAY when triggered Via the IGN switch to the started SOLENOID that engages the drive gear in the flywheel..
#3 It doesn't make any difference where the RELAY is LOCATED..

Now i have a Headache!


Absolutely - yes it's a RELAY

Back in electronics school they teach you to think of electricity like water so my "push" nomenclature was related to my schooling. 

Yes - the relay can be at the front or rear - this is exactly the point I was trying to make.  Either way you end up with a hot wire traveling the length of the car.  It's just that it's either a 00ga or something lighter (I have two 10ga's ganged together).

Of course all of this assumes you are trying to be NHRA legal with a master cutoff etc.  If you're not then there are more options.  Not for me though.
Title: Re: battery relocation
Post by: woodie on March 26, 2008, 08:19:00 PM
yes it is sealed and will have a vent. sorry about the headache map  thanks to all woodie