Battery cable switch location..

[Pete Munroe]

John,

Seems like you are doing this the hard way.

Why do you want to mount the battery behind the seat? Access?

To mount the battery in the right-rear fender...ERA supplies the battery tray, the hold down bracket, and builds holes in the chassis to pass the battery cable though. (All came with my kit 10 years ago...maybe they don't anymore).

Battery access is NOT an issue...if you are using a modern battery like the Optima? or Exide "Select" sealed "gell-cells?", there is no need/way to add water anyway...very little corrosion as there is no acid leaking out, so terminals may oxidize over time but they don't get nasty and need to be cleaned very often.

Charge it by connecting the charger to the battery side of the solenoid on the firewall...the chargers negative clamp I put on a bell-housing bolt.

Even with little use, the newer batteries hold a charge well...lead-acid can hold a high percentage of charge for a month.

Use the firewall mounted solenoid...you can run a second solenoid on the starter also, but the firewall mounted solenoid looks stock and provides access to the battery.

My old, circa 1998, ERA 289 FIA manual, pp 54, shows the cutoff-switch on the bulkhead about 6 inches over an up from the px side of the car. WAY to the right of where you are looking to mount it.

The bulkhead mounting is solid, the switch isn't close to anything that could move and short it out. I insulated the terminals anyway.

In that position it will not interfere with removing the access panel for brake bleeding or pad replacement.

I am thinking about adding a SECOND switch in series on the dashboard like Peter Portante's bronze "russhsn" FIA race car has...much easier access in an emergency, although I suppose the "sanctioned" race groups want the switch external on the body...I do not want to cut a hole in the body, but may put one on the dashboard.

As it is, behind the seat, it's a sort of "stealth" cut-off when I park the car!

A friend has an early 63?/64? AC Cobra and the battery is behind the passenger seat...original position!...also...original battery acid-holes...in the original carpet.

I think that is called "patina"...sweet. He will never change those 45 year old acid eaten carpets!

Have fun, call ERA, talk to Doug or Bob before you get too innovative with rerouting 600+ CC amps.

Pete