About Battery Relocation Wire：I know you know the battery is a vital component of your car as it powers all other systems. As you may know, when you first receive your new car, the battery is in the hood for power distribution convenience.
However, you may need to relocate your battery to maximize your car’s performance, which requires a battery relocation wire. Here, I will discuss the battery relocation wire, plus other essential information on relocating your battery to the trunk.
What Is Battery Relocation?
While battery relocation typically moves your car battery from the hood to the trunk, it may be more than this. It may also involve removing your battery from its original installation location to another.
For instance, assume you have a truck that uses a 6V battery under a framed box. In such a case, the said 6V battery-framed box cannot accommodate a bigger 12V battery.
For this reason, if you need to upgrade your battery to a 12V battery, you might need to relocate it.
When relocating your battery, ensure the gauge of the relocation wire can handle your car’s current needs.
In addition, see that you mount the battery properly to ensure safety and convenience.
Battery relocation Pros and Cons
Relocating your car battery from the engine compartment to the trunk or any other location has many pros and cons.
I recommend checking both advantages and disadvantages to know if it’s worthwhile for your car.
First, battery relocation ensures a cleaner and clearer engine compartment, improving your car hood aesthetics.
Again, you get a bigger room for installing systems such as turbochargers, intercooler tanks, etc.
It also allows you to upgrade the battery size, helping your wiring more easily. Lastly, removing the battery from the hood allows weight distribution/balance of your car, which is vital when negotiating corners.
However, it requires extensive modification, wiring, and redirecting your battery gases away from your car cabin.
It may also add weight to the trunk which might affect your car weight distribution in some cases.
Again, it may be expensive, especially when buying cables, a cutoff switch, and a battery box. In addition, it may take up your trunk storage space, especially if you have a small car.
Lastly, it may bring problems with regulation bodies that require your battery to be in a sealed box.
Holding a car battery wire
How to Relocate Battery to the Trunk
Since each trunk battery relocation differs, I will discuss the general steps to give you a rough idea.
Access and Prepare the Trunk
Before considering the relocation, determine if you have enough room in your trunk for the battery.
You may want to check your battery size and consider accessibility and car weight distribution. While here, ensure proper ventilation of your installation location to vent any gases and ensure safety.
Once all these issues are in place, you may clear the trunk to ready it for installation. Ensure no dust, metals, or sharp objects that may interfere with your battery and its connectors.
A clean car trunk
Gather Materials and Tools
The first item on the list is a sturdy and appropriately sized automotive battery box. You must ensure it has proper and secure mounting with antispill and vibration protection.
From there, choose an appropriate battery cable of the proper length and gauge, depending on your car component’s current rating.
When choosing your cable length, it’s first important to know the cable route (through the body or the cabin).
For the wire gauge, I recommend 2 AWG, but if the distance is very long, you can use 1 AWG.
Note that using a proper wire gauge prevents voltage drop, short circuits, and eventual fire hazards.
In addition to the box and the cable, you also need battery terminal ends, a cutoff switch, and correct-gauge fuses.
You may also opt for a battery disconnect switch plus tools such as wrenches, wire cutters, and a crimper.
Remove the Existing Battery
Of course, you cannot relocate the battery without removing it from its original location. You must park your car on level ground and engage the handbrake for safety. Then, open the hood of your car, locate the battery, and use your wrench to disconnect it.
Start with the negative terminal, black, and then the positive one, red. Once done, you may remove your battery and set it aside, awaiting relocation.
Removing a car battery
Install the Battery Box
Remember the sturdy battery box you bought? It’s time to place it securely in the place that you prepared in the trunk.
Ensure it’s level enough to prevent moving or shaking while on the ride. Then, using the provided mounting hardware, secure it properly on the trunk wall of the floor.
You may now place your battery in it and secure it as the box manufacturer directs you via the manual.
Route Your Battery Cables
Now that you have the appropriate size cable with the correct connector installed on its ends, it’s time to run it.
If not, you may have to install the connector yourself and crimp it properly to ensure they don’t come off.
Now, route both the negative and positive cable using the route you established earlier.
If you choose to route via the cabin, you must drill so the cable can pass through. Otherwise, you may follow the path of existing cables through the body but remember to use a conduit for protection.
After routing, connect the positive cable to your starter solenoid or your distribution block. For the negative cable, choose a secure grounding, such as the chassis, and connect it tightly using bolts and washers. Ensure both cables are away from any moving part or heat-generating component.
Install a fuse box and a Cutoff Switch.
One of the components that you should never forget to install is an appropriately rated fusebox to protect your wiring.
As you may know, a fuse filament blows when you exceed its current rating, protecting the rest of the wiring.
When installing a fuse, ensure it is close enough to the battery to minimize damage in case of an issue.
Once you install the fuse, you may opt for a cutoff switch in an accessible location for further protection.
Remember you connect the switch and the fuse to the positive wiring following the manufacturer’s instructions.
A car fusebox
Secure your Wires and Test
First, you must use electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to secure any exposed joints and prevent short circuits. Then, use cable ties to bundle your cables to keep them safe and tidy.
Once through, connect your cables to their respective battery terminals. Now, double-check to ensure each joint is connected properly and tightly. You may start your car and test whether the battery works in the new location.
Grounding Wire Considerations for Battery Relocation
When connecting your battery grounding wire to your new connection, you can do it in two ways.
First, you can opt to follow the other positive wire, as we have discussed above. Here, you will need to ground on the original location, mostly the chassis or engine block.
Secondly, you can ground on the rear metal frame or a major metal near the trunk.
For any method you choose, ensure the grounding area is a bear and clean metal with no color coating.
Also, use a grounding strap and other hardware, such as bolts and washers, to prevent loosening when driving.
Conclusion
Using my research above, I believe you can successfully relocate your battery to the trunk and enjoy its benefits. Remember to follow safety procedures to avoid hazards to you and your car components.
