Battery Options

[jr_vw2]

I have heard a lot of diferent opinions on battery placement. I have heard of mounting them up front on the pan head I have heard of putting them under the back by the axles. I just wanted to see what you guys have had the most success with. I really dont want to use a lawn mower battery because I have heard they only last about a year or so. I am worrking with an I.R.S. pan and a manx style (not a manx ) Just wanting to kick up some ideas because I am about to wrap up me buggy. I would really like to put it out of sight if i could. I also have a spun alu. gas tank in the back seat area. Thanks for any info Jeremy Chattanooga, TN

[fubar]

You might look into one of those optima gell cells. You can stand them on end, lay them on their sides, etc. And the don't drip acid on you while you are hanging by your seat belts if you flip over. The last one I bought was about $100.

[Gene-C]

both of the buggies I've had in the past had the battery under the back seat. One had a battery box molded into the body and the other was placed on a tray welded to the pan. If I were to do it myself I would mount it as close to the motor and charging system as I could. Less wire to have problems with.

[UncleBob]

I put my Optima Red-Top in the battery tray. Seemed the logical place for it.

[jr_vw2]

my back seat area is not like that it does not have an cut outs.

[UncleBob]

My Empi Imp didn't either. The generic torsion-bar battery bracket was used here.The previous owner cut an access door above the battery, and I built a cover for it. But that won't work for your IRS chassis I believe. It does make sense to have the shortest battery cables possible, though. On the other hand, you've got a lot of spare room up front where the fuel tank would normally go. But since you're tank is in the rear seat, why not have the battery back there as well, in a boat battery box or something?

[CairoManx]

Somebody told me they were going to get two of the Optima 6volt spiral wrap batteries. They are like a 12 volt Optima split in half lengthwise. He was going to lay each one on its side under the two front seats, then wire them together in series to get twelve volts. I'm not sure he ever did it but I believe it would work. Another option I heard about was to use a Mazda Miata battery. Mount it in the usual area above the torsion bar, but high enough so it clears the IRS A-arm. They are supposed to be small enough to fit.

[gregr]

motorcycle batteries are an option as well. They and the optima redtop (on it;s side) should fit above the rear torsion if snugged up tigth to the body. Requires making a bracket. I had a battery box, put my re topinside it an dth ehid it all with a small cooler. It sits on th erear shelf behind the passenger seat. I don't carry anyon ein back and have built a "trunk" in that area.

[Gene-C]

Jeremy, the lawnmower battery(interstate) in my 20hp Scotts tractor is four years old and still going strong. Buy an interstate battery and forget about it. I figure with a 1800 watt starter and 12.5 volts on tap all we need is 144 CCA. Watts/volts=amps. The 350CCA battery I have should do it.

[newmanx59]

I have 3 Summers on the Wal-Mart Lawn tractor battery in my Manx and it's still going strong. The Wal-Mart Lawn tractor battery in my GrassHopper lawn mower is 4 years old.

[Gene-C]

Here might be an option for you - http://www.batteryweb.com/odyssey-detai ... l=PC680MJT Small enough to mount most anywhere... HTH, Bryan in NC