battery behind seat

pk · #1 (**permalink**) 06-19-2002, 02:47 PM

Bob-
Has ERA ever built a car with the battery behind the pass. seat.
Do you make a part for putting the batteries here?
I guess one could try a Kirkham tray, if you don't. Do you think that would work?

"thinking about a S/C suddenly" PK

Bob Putnam · #2 (**permalink**) 06-19-2002, 04:51 PM

We don't have much room behind the seats, unfortunately. It would take a very narrow battery to fit. When we do a rear-mounted battery, we mount it on the shelf above the rear suspension.

BLACKJACK · #3 (**permalink**) 06-19-2002, 05:06 PM

PK,

AS BOB SAID. THE SHELF ABOVE THE REAR SUSPENSION. IT WORKS GREAT. IT LOOKS GREAT.

KEEP THINKING "ERA". YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

pk · #4 (**permalink**) 06-19-2002, 05:28 PM

Bob-
I was thinking of dual motorcycle batteries. I would think the ERA has about the same space behind the seats as the Kirkhams and SAIs. In all the photos I've seen (with the batt behind the seat) you can see the pass. seat is farther forward then the drivers.

Blackjack-
ERA always been on the short list. The cars just look and sit right.
but look who I'm telling...
Good luck with your GT-40 cooling issue. I'm jealous as hell 2 cobras and a 40 you're my hero.

PK

DougD · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2002, 06:50 AM

pk
I used a pair of Optima 6-volt batteries wired in series. They're about half the width of a standard 12-volt. Had to narrow the tray to fit the batteries and fab some special cables to make it work.
DougD

Cobra 29 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2002, 08:40 PM

Bob, can you post a picture showing exactly where ERA mounts the battery in the 427SC? Mine of course is mounted above the gas tank in the middle of the trunk which takes up a lot of useable space. This was done by original builder or PO.

Additionally, what mounting hardware is needed and how do you route the battery cables?

Bob Putnam · #7 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 05:22 AM

We make a panel to hide everything, including a nice secret storage area. A non-vented battery (we use Optima) is required. I think the cable is routed along the inside of the chassis rail, but I'm not sure.
This car has the battery cutoff switch on the panel, on the right.

pk · #8 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 10:40 AM

I think I'll probably end up hiding it behind the new alum. trunk panels with nut-serts. I was just asking if ERA makes an optional tray for putting the batteries where I've seen them in the Kirkhams etc. I'm assuming this is were they were in the original S/Cs.

I've got to be carefull of "Evan-itis".

I'm going to keep repeating "It's only a car, It's only a car"

PK

BLACKJACK · #9 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 01:56 PM

PK,

EVAN-ITIS AIN'T ALL BAD. HE HAS A GORGEOUS CAR. ONE OF THE ABSOLUTELY NICEST I'VE EVER SEEN.

I LOOKED AT IT AT SPRING FLING AND HE IS USING TWO 6 VOLT OPTIMA BATTERIES IN SERIES BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CUT-OFF SWITCH IS MOUNTED TO A BRACKET WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE SIDE PANEL.

PERHAPS WE CAN GET HIM TO POST A PICTURE OF IT. IT'S REALLY A COOL LOOKING INSTALLATION.

I'M NOT CERTAIN THAT IT'S "ORIGINAL" BUT IT IS ON EVANS CAR.

I'M CONSIDERING CHANGING MY INSTALLATION. IT WOULD GIVE ME MORE ROOM IN THE TRUNK AND MOST OF MY PASSENGERS HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH LEG ROOM.

IF IT WORKS IN AN SAI IT SHOULD WORK IN AN ERA. BOB ???

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

BLACKJACK · #10 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 01:59 PM

PK,

BY THE WAY - IT'S NEVER "JUST A CAR".

BJ

pk · #11 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 02:10 PM

Blackjack-
ya got me all wrong.

I love Evan's car. I saw it up close and personal about 3 months ago at the Snakepit open house. It's drop dead about the best looking cobra out there IMHO. (Gumball, Turk and that black ERA from Germany are right behind him) Equal parts pretty and mean. In fact as you said his car is the inspiration for me putting the bat. there and maybe putting the fuel pumps in the trunk.

I'm just saying we've all got to draw that line somewhere and I'm aware I could end up losing my mind over making my baby perfect.

pk

oh and I guess Evan settled it once and for all aluminum is faster then fiberglass.

BLACKJACK · #12 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 03:07 PM

PK,

I WAS NOT REFERRING TO EVAN'S CAR AS MUCH AS "EVAN-ITIS". HECK, I'VE GOT A BAD CASE OF IT MYSELF.

BESIDES - IF YOUR NORMAL YOU'RE GOING TO GO "NUTS" OVER SOMETHING - - - IT MIGHT AS WELL BE COBRAS.

I'M REALLY CONSIDERING THE BATTERY ISSUE "BUT" I'M NOT SO SURE THAT I WOULD WANT THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS AND LINES IN MY TRUNK (ENCLOSED). THEY LOOK GREAT BUT I'VE JUST BECOME RATHER SHY ABOUT THINGS THAT GO "BANG". ONE LITTLE LEAK - THEN YOU STEP ON THE BREAKS OR TURN ON THE LIGHTS AND - - - - I DON'T WANT TO EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. IF YOU DO IT MAKE DARN SURE THAT YOU USE GOOD QUALITY HOSES AND FITTINGS AND RUN IT A LONG TIME WITH THE TRUNK OPEN TO CHECK FOR LEAKS. I WOULD ALSO LIFT THE TRUNK LID AND "SNIFF" BEFORE I CRANKED IT UP EACH TIME - - - JUST IN CASE.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT AND SAFE DAY,

BLACKJACK

pk · #13 (**permalink**) 06-26-2002, 03:24 PM

I re-read your post and I took it wrong sorry.

You're right about "...it might as well be cobras"
It's what my wife says to her friends (and her "mother- in- law").

I'm real close to spending $500 on a custom saw blade to cut picture molding that matches the original molding in our apt. And I don't even get to keep the damn thing, the lumber yard does.

Of course my wife wants to just buy some that looks close. She says when you get your Cobra you can obsess over getting it perfect.

pk