Battery Boxes

[92MNstanger]

My mustang is a Hatchback. I will be putting the battery in the trunk very soon. I read through the SSCA book and saw the they just require a "Marine type" battery box for wet cell batteries. Is that it? I know NHRA rules require the box to seal and be vented. It's very convenient for Moroso that they make the only NHRA accepted plastic battery box. It costs $100 for a blue plastic tub!!

I am not buying one if I can get away with the $9.99 trolling motor special.

[weidnerpaul]

My mustang is a Hatchback. I will be putting the battery in the trunk very soon. I read through the SSCA book and saw the they just require a "Marine type" battery box for wet cell batteries. Is that it? I know NHRA rules require the box to seal and be vented. It's very convenient for Moroso that they make the only NHRA accepted plastic battery box. It costs $100 for a blue plastic tub!!

I am not buying one if I can get away with the $9.99 trolling motor special.

I had the marine one in the Marcos & it always passed tech.

[92MNstanger]

Not sure. Was that a hatchback?

[weidnerpaul]

Not sure. Was that a hatchback?

British 2 seater with a Boot (trunk)

I think the box is just to cover the battery/terminals. Remember that it still needs to be secure...

[phile]

My mustang is a Hatchback. I will be putting the battery in the trunk very soon. I read through the SSCA book and saw the they just require a "Marine type" battery box for wet cell batteries. Is that it? I know NHRA rules require the box to seal and be vented. It's very convenient for Moroso that they make the only NHRA accepted plastic battery box. It costs $100 for a blue plastic tub!!

I am not buying one if I can get away with the $9.99 trolling motor special.
You can get away with the $9.99 trolling motor special. But remember that the battery itself needs to be bracketed securely to the car. The little plastic strap around the battery box is not enough.

[MNbiker]

Lets see if we can give you a more comprehensive answer.

First, the SCCA Solo rules contain the following general safety rules:


3.3.3
15)Any wet-cell battery moved from the manufacturer’s original location shall be in a non-conductive marine-type container or equivalent, and the hot terminal shall be insulated. All batteries (on-board power supplies) shall be attached securely to the frame or chassis structure independent of the marine-type container. NOTE: This will allow the use of gel cell or dry cell (AGM) batteries without a non-conductive marine-type container where applicable.

Please note, these rules DO NOT give you permission to re-locate the battery in all classes. Each class has it's own allowances, regarding the Electrical system. However, I can summarize the key points for you.

1. Cars in Stock classes MAY NOT relocate the battery.

2. Cars in Street Touring, Street Prepared & Street Modified classes may relocate the battery, but not to the passenger compartment. For hatchbacks, the space behind the rear passenger seat is not considered part of the passenger compartment.

3. Electrical systems in Prepared & Modified are pretty much unrestricted, subject to a few class-specific rules.

Assuming your car falls into Street Touring, Street Prepared & Street Modified, a cheap plastic marine battery box would be fine. However, as Phil noted, the battery still needs to be securely fastened - and the strap around the box or bolts through the plastic bottom aren't sufficient. Note: the rules do allow relocation of the original battery box, if it can be unbolted. A setup like this relocation kit from Summit Racing would perfect. The entire kit is $45, including the cables, brackets, box, etc.
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/sum-g1200a.jpg



Also, you may wish to consider going to an AGM dry-cell battery. You could take a quick 20-30 lbs out of your car, and avoid the need for a battery box. Something like this would work well for a larger engine. Cost approx. $110
http://www.gotbatteries.com/images/SLA/37L107S6.jpg

-Steve Garnjobst
Met Council Rules Chair

[92MNstanger]

Wow, now that's a comprehensive answer!!

Yeah that summit kit is what I was looking at. In comparison the NHRA approved kit that is $200 for the same thing!!!


The dry cell battery is a neat idea. I need to improve my weight distribution so the extra 20 lbs should help if I move it from driver's fron to pass rear.