Battery Relocation Question

[mmtmatrix]

Hello everyone, sorry for the battery questions but searched and couldn't quite find what I was looking for.

Anyway, am in the process of doing a battery relocation on my S13 hatch. Went to get a battery distribution block from an audio electronics store where a friend works and ended up buying a monster kit because he was able to give me a discount.

My questions are; This kit comes with 22 feet of 4 gage wire (for wiring an amp), I was planning on using this for my power cable, some people say 4 gage is fine, others say that it will be too small? Thoughts?

For those running batteries in their trunks, where/how did you route the power cable? I am leery about going under the car due to damage from road conditions, but also am unsure about through car due to heat and EM damage (possible to ecu?). What have others done?

Also, it came with a fuse, should I use this?

Thanks for all the help,
mmtmatrix

[bigOdom1]

i ran zero guage just cause i had it i also have two fuses on mine one in the trunk and the other under the hood also went under the car believe me its not that common especially if you ask someone who has done lots of stereos

[Mr. Badlose]

Hmmm, I think most relocation kits use 2 gauge (like my Summit one), but you'll have to try it and see. I honestly don't think it'll cause any problems. I routed my cable under the rear seat, pulled up the carpet on the passenger side, routed the cable under some metal structure close to the center console., and then drilled a hole and poked it through the firewall. I did this when I was at an automotive school and I asked a couple instructor's about possible EMI...and they said it would be alright.

[Maeda]

I used 4 gauge. It sucks.

Battery never gets a really good charge because of voltage drop across the length. Just run 2 4 gauge wires and you'll be ok.

[mmtmatrix]

Yeh i think that alot of kits out there use 2, what do you guys think about 4? Any more opinions?

Also, where should I route the cable?

Thanks,
mmtmatrix

[ThatGuy]

2 gauge or larger. Route it wherever you have room. Easiest is under the car. Tuck it up tight and you shouldn't have any worries. If you don't want to run it outside, pull up the carpet along the bo sides of the car and figure out where the most room is.

[Phlip]

Summit sells 2 gauge in the kit that they sell:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2DG1200A&N=%2D54667+115&autoview=sku

[IAM_SO_sLOw]

hmm... i was wondering if any of you guys drilled down the box or something to secure it? im scared ima drill to deep and kill my gas tank

[brokeAs240sx]

hmm... i was wondering if any of you guys drilled down the box or something to secure it? im scared ima drill to deep and kill my gas tank

Drill carefully, plenty of room. Just start w/ a smaller bit. Drill a little, then check under the car (easier to see if u jack up the car). I used some m8 or m10 bolts to hold down the tray.

[Phlip]

hmm... i was wondering if any of you guys drilled down the box or something to secure it? im scared ima drill to deep and kill my gas tank
I am going to put mine on the driver's side of my trunk, no worries there

[spdfreek0o]

I used 2 gauge with mine and a fuse block for my accessories. I used 2 battery tie down bolts( the ones with a threaded end and a hook on the other side) measured and drilled 2 holes and put the hooks in the holes.

[NemeGuero]

Really? I'm using 4 guage without any problem.
Guess I'll look into upgrading it.

[shayrgob240]

Really? I'm using 4 guage without any problem.
Guess I'll look into upgrading it.

smaller wire has more resistance. My teacher said 0 gauge is common but if summit sells 2 gauge kits then I guess that's ok. I probably wouldn't go w/ 4 gauge though.

[NemeGuero]

Yah, I know that it has more resistance. It was a pre-existing wire that I had run for my amplifier.. I was just too lazy and too cheap to buy a new one and run it, instead of just using what was already there..

I have yet to have a problem with it.