[mike69]

Guys,

I have had a trunk mounted battery for 20 years, but I'm tired of the sloppy looking cables hanging under the car. Is it ok to route these inside the interior compartment, like my speaker cables, or maybe inside the frame rails?

Thanks,
Mike

[MOPARINMYCAR]

I would personally keep it under the car. You could allways try and run the cable inside a tube that is fixed to the chassis but make sure you have protection on the tube where the cable enters and exits the tube to prevent any chafing of the cable sheaf

[OneMoreTime]

Inside the frame rails can be done..in fact a lot of wires can be run there..

Sam

[302 Z28]

Your wires can and should (my opinion) be run inside the car, but take measures to insure safety. Use a Ford solenoid in the trunk to make the positive battery lead to the starter hot only when cranking.

Vince

[malc]

Mine runs under the car fixed with Adel clamps which are insulated, see pic.
I also used heat shield on the cable near the exhaust.

[mike69]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

Your wires can and should (my opinion) be run inside the car, but take measures to insure safety. Use a Ford solenoid in the trunk to make the positive battery lead to the starter hot only when cranking.

Vince

Does this mean that I don't need the solenoid under the hood then? What about the wires that go to the solenoid currently to engage it when the key is turned? Do I just lengthen them so they can now reach all the way to the trunk?

Mike

[malc]

Originally Posted by mike69

Does this mean that I don't need the solenoid under the hood then? What about the wires that go to the solenoid currently to engage it when the key is turned? Do I just lengthen them so they can now reach all the way to the trunk?

Mike

Yes, it is the safest and proper way to do it.
I used one of these and one of these from MadElectrical to do the job.
The positive cable from the battery to the starter must only be live while cranking.
Here´s my setup in the rear, installation is not yet complete.

[alittle1]

Originally Posted by malc

Yes, it is the safest and proper way to do it.
I used one of these and one of these from MadElectrical to do the job.
The positive cable from the battery to the starter must only be live while cranking.
Here´s my setup in the rear, installation is not yet complete.

You did put rubber grommets where the cable passes through the battery box, didn't you????

[malc]

You did put rubber grommets where the cable passes through the battery box, didn't you????

I did.

[alittle1]

Malc,

Nice sanitary installation.

[roger1]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

Your wires can and should (my opinion) be run inside the car, but take measures to insure safety. Use a Ford solenoid in the trunk to make the positive battery lead to the starter hot only when cranking.
Vince

Vince,

I am contemplating putting in a trunk battery in my '55 Chevy Bel Air.
I searched and found this thread. It appears you and others are pretty adamant that for safety, the use of a solenoid at the battery is needed.
I am in a discussion in another forum where someone brought up the fact that a marine type high-current fuse can be used for safety instead of the solenoid.

I couldn't find any instance here on hotrodders where that had been discussed so I thought I would bring it up here for your's and anyone else's thoughts.

Here is a link to a high-current fuse block I found:
Blue Sea Systems 35 - 750 Amp Fuse Holder
Fuses for this run about $15 and if I go this route, I would carry an extra just in case.

If you (or anyone else) thinks this is a viable alternative to a solenoid, do you have any idea what would be a good amperage fuse to use? In my case, I am just using the old stock type Chevy starter for my engine. It's the high-torque one, ie. the one with the copper spacer between the solenoid and tabs that come out of the starter motor. I think since what I am wanting is just for the fuse to pop in a shorting situation, I would want the amperage to be somewhat higher than the maximum draw my starter would have.

[EOD Guy]

Most all BMWs have trunk mounted batteries and they run a hot cable to the eng compartment to a lug (that's used to jump start the vehicle) then from the lug to the starter. Newer models use a fuseable cable connector at the battery, but my 98 Z3 doesn't use anything. I think some of the Nissan's use a super 50 amp main fuse to protect the elect system....not to versed on the Nissan. I used a set of 00 jumper cables (basicaly welding cable) when I moved my battery to the bed of a truck I built.

[Overdriv]

I do like the fact that the starter cable only being hot during cranking. The problem with putting the solenoid back by the battery, is then you have no place near the engine compartment to tap for your high current draw accessories, fans, headlights, MSD boxes, Etc.

That means you will have to run these wires, which will/should be bigger, to the rear of the car.

Also the alternator charging wire will have to go to the back of the car, which will need to be bigger, depending on your load and alternators amp rating.

For a race car that had a lot of the electrics in the passenger floor board it might make sense, otherwise it don't to me. Just my opinion.

[302 Z28]

The problem of having a hot wire for fuse panel or other accessories can be solved by running a suitable sized wire from the battery + to a 50 amp Maxi Fuse then to the wire up front to your fuse panel.

Vince

[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by mike69

Guys,

I have had a trunk mounted battery for 20 years, but I'm tired of the sloppy looking cables hanging under the car. Is it ok to route these inside the interior compartment, like my speaker cables, or maybe inside the frame rails?

Thanks,
Mike

I never run a battery under the hood.. Always in the trunk.. I run my hot wire under the car along the inside of the frame rail.. I use Adel clamps about 6 to 8 inch's apart.. Never had any problem with them hanging..I only use a ON and OFF kill switch.. No solenoid in the trunk for me.. Never saw where it was need.. Just something else to have to worry about.. Just my 2 cents.. Some like it.. If you take your time to run the hot wire right. It isn't needed..But that's up to you..

And yes the wires can be ran inside the car are through the frame.. Just use your rubber grommets where you go through any metal.. THAT IS A MUST !!!