[Shotimes] battery in trunk

[SHOZ123]

To be absolutely confident in the grounding of the PCM which is where
all the 2 wire sensors also ground to as well as the ignition and fuel
injectors i would run a 14 ga ground wire from the battery to the PCM
ground point on the body.

I would also have a 250A fuse on the POS battery cable at the battery.
 They are fairly cheap over at www.delcity.net.  They also have
battery cable and connectors too.

FWIW I have my battery in the trunk and use a pair of two pole 175A 
"fork truck" quick disconnects at the battery and a pair of a single
pole type under the hood (on just the positive wire).  This makes
taking the battery out and or disconnecting power a breeze.

I used 20' of #2 wire for a pos lead to the engine compartment and the
ground wire mentioned above.  In the trunk I have a two short pieces
of #4 wire for the ground going to two different body panels.

If you are really paranoid there are 400A contactors that you could
latch in to provide a means of isolation.  But the POS wire will have
to be hot when the car is running.  I wouldn't worry about it if you
use the fuse.


Paul



On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 17:07:29 -0500, Robert Bruce
<rbruce@bellatlantic.net> wrote:
> 1) I didn't run a separate PCM ground wire.  Just be sure the original PCM
> ground wire is securely grounded at the shock tower area.  Go ahead and use
> the short ground cable as supplied, but be sure you have a very strong
> (mechanically and electronically) connection.  If you later have PCM issues
> and suspect the ground, you could run a full length ground cable at that
> time.  I don't believe you will ever need to add the full length ground
> cable.
> 
> 2) Although the positive cable is hot at all times, I don't see it as more
> of a hazard than the existing positive cable you currently have.  The
> location of the Taurus fuel tank is what makes this car on of the safest
> rated cars on the road.  Fuel leakage from an accident is basically unheard
> of for Tauri.  Therefore by locating the battery to the trunk doesn't
> increase my fuel/battery fire hazard concerns. YMMV  You could move the
> starter solenoid to the trunk, but then you will have to add additional
> wiring for the starter and accessories.  This adds weigh and the main
> purpose of moving the battery is to improve weight balance.  Others (Paul
> Nimz?) have added a large inline fuse on the positive cable.  That is a
> great idea if it would make you more comfortable.  The fuse is available
> from http://www.waytekwire.com/.  I am sure Paul can tell us the proper part
> number.
> 
> 3) The starter motor location would be fine.  Alternatively you could mount
> it at the main fuse box, next to the brake master cylinder.
> 
> Of course this is all just my $.02.  There are a dozen ways to install the
> battery in the trunk and each way has it's merits.  The vast majority of
> race cars have a short ground cable and no fuses or relays at the battery.
> But then again race cars have their components inspected and maintained on a
> regular basis.  Whereas with street cars these types of modifications get
> installed and then basically forgotten.
> 
> Robert Bruce
> 92 w/3.2
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
> [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of van Oss
> Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 4:30 PM
> To: shotimes@autox.team.net
> Subject: [Shotimes] battery in trunk
> 
> Thanks to encouragement from Robert Bruce, I plan to take the plunge and
> move the battery to the trunk in my 92 MTX.  I am using a Summit Racing kit
> bought at the Maryland convention.  A few questions, please forgive me if
> they've come up before.
> 
> 1. This kit has a short ground wire; it definitely depends on grounding
> through the body.  It's been said the PCM can get flaky unless it's grounded
> directly to the battery.  Shall I run a separate PCM ground wire back to the
> battery?  If so, what gauge?  How (which pin) would it connect to the PCM?
> 
> 2. I wonder about the 2-gauge red positive wire being charged at all times.
> What happens in a crash?  If I move the starter relay to the trunk, how does
> the car get power for accessories when that relay's off?
> 
> 3. I have a headlamp-relay harness in this car.  Can I keep it?  Currently,
> that harness connects directly to the battery.  Shall I reroute the red
> wires to the point where the big red cable attaches to the starter motor?
> 
> VO
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