CHADisBAD

searched around on here, and didn't come up with anything. have any of you SL R230 owners, considered/attempted to relocate the starter battery to the trunk?

ive been considering this, mounting it someplace close by the accessories battery that is already in the trunk.

this might be difficult, but it would distribute some weight to the rear of the car, and would also free up some small space in the front for a oil catch can, coolant split reservoir, etc.

any feedback would be appreciated.

seven_out

Nuts!

kustom2k1

Get the good battery relocation kit with the thicker gauge wire and your good to go.

CHADisBAD

Do you have a link to the kit? I couldn't come up with anything on here for SL owners?

kustom2k1

Buy a battery relocation kit such as http://www.jegs.com/i/Taylor/895/482...FRFnOgodSxsAbQ

Take it to a performance shop for install. You dont need an SL specific kit. Just need to make sure you use 2 gauge wire whichever kit you decide to go with.

alx

I think a battery relocation will make zero difference in handling of that particular car...

CHADisBAD

not to worried about handling, just be nice to free up some space in the front.

latemodel21

since the starting battery is not so likely to suffer from "dark current" issues, it might be a good candidate to be replaced by a lightweight (and therefore smaller) battery. Not saying that this is a way to go, but if it gave you enough room to put a half-size battery in the same spot ... it would save you a lot of bother.

perhaps something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-PC680-Battery-4-BMW-motorcycles-PC-680-2-YR-WAR-/201062172660?_trksid=p2054897.l4275


I see the OP is not focused on this aspect, but I have a little interesting data I thought I'd toss out here anyway... on the topic of weight distribution in the SL (specifically the 2003 SL55 like the OP owns).

here are 2 snaps of the display from my 4-corner scale with my 2003 SL55 (look at "rear %"). The first is with the top up and the second with the top down. 49.2% rear is pretty darn good on a front engine production vehicle.

cheers,
Chris

F1BHP

Hey Chad how did it work out? I am doing a lithium battery replacement with relocation to the trunk and would like to know if you experienced any pitfalls.

CHADisBAD

not worth it imo. i ended up moving it back to the engine bay. if your still interested, i will sell you the whole 1ga wiring kit and anl fuses?

F1BHP

Why would you move it back? What problems did you have?

cnterline

That battery is very light ,I was gonna change it out for lighter but was worried about reliability ,I have a big crank battery I use for rear battery ,I keep it on trickle charge no problems,I was gonna move front battery to back haven't got around to it ,I would use 00 guage tho

Ingenere

This just looks like a way to waste time and money.