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Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:54 am
by Si Richards
Pictures as promised:

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:36 pm
by Westfield 129
Is it standard to mount the battery behind the driver, on the same side of the car that also has the fuel tank? That's a lot of weight all on one side of the car.

It puts a lot of weight on the right rear, which would be hard to balance when doing corner weighting, or trying to take the "wedge" (diagonal weight distribution) out of the chassis. Maybe it might help with traction in RH corners? Isn't that what the front anti sway bar is for? I have not had a car with an open diff for several years.

I put the battery opposite the driver, in the rear, within the wheel base if possible (if using a lead/acid battery, it is the heaviest component that can be moved around, at around 15Kg+). On LHD cars, the fuel tank is on the opposite side of the car, so with the battery also on the off side, the left/right weight difference is around 30~40 lbs, and the diagonal weight distribution is 50%, or "zero wedge". With these small, light cars, zero wedge is the goal, as it can ensure identical left/right turn in responses.

The car is small, and light, and very simple. There are few components that can be moved around, or even lightened. I have found that the radiator can be as light as 1KG, and offer more than enough cooling for a 130 HP engine on a 110ºF day. A small alternator can cut another couple of Kg off of the engine weight. So can an alloy cylinder head (more than 10Kg). With a little planning, you can cut about 50 lbs out of the car without compromising reliability, and offering a better chassis setup.

This becomes more important when installing a heavy T9 gearbox.

There are new Lithium batteries that weigh only about 4 lbs installed, which would make the battery still the heaviest component to be moved around, but the small size and light weight means that it can go most anywhere, in any position. Cost is a little high, but not that much more than the compact high output glass mat types.

However, if you are going to stick to a heavy, lead acid battery, make it work for you and get a handling bonus. Sometimes, the weight is OK, if you can put it where it can do the most good.

So now they make you put headrests for the passenger seat? How do you open the rear clam shell? I am thinking a single roll bar across the rear with a head rest for the passenger side might be easier, with a removable forward brace for racing. This would ensure roll over protection for both occupants, and would work on headrest and non headrest rear bodywork, and allow for an easy opening rear clamshell with only a couple of notches for the tubing.

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 12:32 pm
by Daggers-xi
Si,
Thanks for the photos and offer of the head rest, if all is ok when you ITV I would like to take you up on the offer.
Having just fitted back lights I am starting to fit front lights and looking at the pod mountings. My first thought was to secure the rear of the pod using a tapped alloy block attached to the wing using adhesive type mirror pads with single button head screw through the pod into block. Just a first thought as I did not want to dril into wing, but I'm open to any thoughts.
Jan,
I must confess that I fitted the battery as shown in the assemble guide as the rear alloy pan was pre drilled for the battery tray. I never considered the weight inbalance this would produce. I am looking now at switching to the opposite side, looks a quick and useful modification, thanks for the tip, will report back.
It really is useful to have people cast a critical eye over the posts, keep it up, it is much appreciated.

Daggers

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 2:31 pm
by seajayare
I thought I saw something about the IVA that suggested that if you don't fit the passenger seat you don't have to sort out the head restraint/seatbelts etc for the passenger side and that the IVA doesn't prevent the passenger seat etc being fitted after the test (ie you don't get a single seater limited test result). I was hoping that this was the case as that was/is my plan!

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2015 5:55 pm
by Westfield 129
My RHD car was set up for the RH battery as well.

I mounted the tray to the frame floor triangle on the opposite side, using some large steel pop rivets (the biggest my pneumatic riveter would handle). Very stout installation and no welding was required. This was also a far more stable location than the floor, and allowed the battery to be mounted forward of the axle. The installation could also be done with riv nuts or other locking blind fastener/insert.

I used a smaller "680" sized glass mat battery. That way, I could mount the battery on its side if practical. I also didn't install the rear wheel housings for better maintenance access. Of course, it gets dirty back there, but it is not hard to clean.

I believe that there is a picture of the battery mounting in my WestyXIownersbuildersdrivers album at Yahoo.

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:58 am
by biggles
Jan I think most passenger side headrests have a disturbing tendency to fall off once the car is in normal use!!!

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:55 pm
by Daggers-xi
I too thought of just using a drivers seat for IVA but I was concerned that if it was classified as a single seater the wife might be a put out!
Daggers

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:08 pm
by Westfield 129
I hope so!

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:10 pm
by erictharg
Latest on 4AGE install posted in Technical section. Dim glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel!

Anyone got a spare Ford propshaft lying around? 25 spline to suit a Rocket box?

Re: Bit quiet here innit?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 10:02 pm
by Si Richards
I too had the no passenger seat thought but general consensus is that this may give it a single seat classification so I'm not going to take the chance and am going with the headrest.

Daggers assuming it's all fine which I have no doubt it will be we can organise a relay style handover once I'm through IVA. With regards to the pods I wanted to do exactly what your planning but my pods were so far out it would never of held in place so I just decided screw the budget I'm getting it sprayed when it's done :D :D

I too have fitted my battery on the right hand side and am now on a diet to lose 15 kg as I can't be arsed to move it!!!

Cheers
Si