Battery - location?
 

I'm looking at mounting the battery in my 289FIA replica.
I can't utilise space under/behind the dash as I have a glovebox, so where else can the battery be located?
Approx. dimensions are 230mm x 170mm x 220mm high (approx. 9" x 7" x 9")
Please post any pictures of your installations that might be useful, and any comments; much appreciated in anticipation :D

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, and stay safe!
Glen

Mine is in the boot (trunk!!!) on the passenger side right at the back. I reckoned the more weight on the rear wheels the more traction there is. So far after 28 years no regrets in this placement. Strapped down in a marine battery enclosure.

I have a red top mounted in the drivers side of the trunk.

Take a look at the ERA solution. They place it behind the right rear wheel
well accessed by panel after wheel removal. The battery is totally hidden
out of sight. Being away from engine heat it tends to last for many years.

It goes in front of the right footbox

Behind passenger seat? 2x6v

Its a 289, not 427 comp or S/C

Ah, didn't click on that.

Trunk.

In front of the right footbox!

Since I have never seen 2345 but once in the flesh it could also be in footbox or trunk.
Dan or John may know as today's resorations are different and not necessarily 1960's specification as they have to pass today's tech.
I know 2259 is changed to meet today's std's thus moved. 2011 is in front of the right footbox but that car was earlier than FIA series.

My vse has it up front on the right. I'd move it to the rear but I am already a bit rear biased on weight.

With my battery stashed up in the RR wheel well, I made sure I had a battery that would not require any service. It's not a major job to R&R, just a PITA. I like having the extra weight behind the axle as well as having the extra room in the boot.

Optima Red Top (34/78)
Detroit Speed Polished Mount (Group 34/78)
Flaming River 500 amp "Big Switch" (FR1048)

The Red Top 34/78 has SAE and GM posts.
SAE posts for vehicle power and starting.
GM posts get a Battery Tender extension
cable hooked to them. Cable is routed to
trunk opening. Provides easy access for
voltage test and/or trickle charging.

Everything is trunk mounted - driver side.

Optima Red Top 34/78 Battery
https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/redtop-34-78

Optima Red Top Battery Mount
https://www.detroitspeed.com/xgen-un...p-34-78-120103

Flaming River Battery Cutoff Switch
https://www.flamingriver.com/battery...tch-for-racing

Battery Tender Voltage Test+Cable
https://www.batterytender.com/Batter...ge-Indicator_2
https://www.batterytender.com/Ring-Terminal-Harness

Quick responses - thank you; much appreciated :)

I've collected quite a lot of pictures of original 289s and also ERA cars (I did actually have an ERA FIA ordered a few years ago) …going through them, couldn’t find much info at all regarding battery locations. Hence my posted question. The only detail (pictures) I could find were installation of 6V Rebats behind the seats.
I had been intending to use a battery box, but from your suggestions and also from eye-balling possible locations on my car, that idea is kiboshed.
So, I did what I should have done in the first place, ie asked here, but also I made up a cardboard box ‘dummy’ battery, and did trial fits in the suggested places.
Under the hood is not feasible. On top of the footbox (passenger side) ….not enough vertical room. In front of the passenger footbox is out as well as the headers will use that space.

Attachment 35646


So, to the trunk/boot…and a couple of locations are possibilities.
Left or right side would be OK.
Right side of the trunk is more space efficient as it fills the space behind the fuel plumbing between the tank and the filler. Probably not a good idea with proximity to fuel….no?
Left side of the trunk is good.

Attachment 35645


Also quite good is the area behind the rear face of my fuel tank, but that puts the battery right at the rear of the car. Is that a bad idea?

Attachment 35644



Comments welcome :D

Cheers,
Glen

That’s how my Unique 427 is also done.

LH side of the trunk is my choice of your options Glen.

Thanks Gary. I agree, as it would seem to be the safest, also the easiest.

Yes, agree on all fronts.
And the space behind the tank you could use for other storage, tools, spares etc.

Glen,

I agree with Gary as well. In the original design it is on the passenger side, under the hood and tucked into a recess on the inner side of the fender. Your frame design excludes that possibility.

Cheers,

Jim

The 289 street car had the battery in the engine compartment. The FIA race car moved it to the right rear. At least according to Phil, who spent 2 days inspecting the only remaining original factory car.