Matt Muelver wrote: > > > I doubt the original tank will be cube shaped, they tend to be curved. > > Actually, I was thinking that the curves might help. I can sit the > batteries on the flat floor and fill the curves with insulation. The > tank is held very securely to the car as it is, so why try to reengineer > it?
I just pulled the tank out of my '89 Civic sedan. The tank is held in place by two steel bands that "clamp" the tank to the seat pan. Between the tank and the seat pan, there are rubber sheets to reduce vibration. If you plan to cut the tank in half, you will definitely need to re-design the mounting as the straps will no longer work. > > >> Alternatively I could just use the existing spare tire space to mount > >> all of the batteries in, but that would put the weight further back > >> than I was hoping for. > > You're joking right? There is no way you will be able to mount enough > > batteries in the spare tire area to go more than a mile or so > > I think you'd be surprised how big the spare tire well is on this car. > While this wouldn't give perfect battery placement it would let me avoid > cutting any large holes in the car that, even if reinforced with a > welded battery box, would weaken the car in the event of an accident. I'm hoping to fit 6 batteries under the hood and 6 in the spare tire well. With 6 under the hood, I suspect I'll be about 200 lbs heavy on the front axle. Putting the other 6 in the spare tire well (behind the axle) should tend to counter the extra weight in front. I realize that putting the weight on the ends isn't the best for handling, but I'm not building a race car. I have a 4 door because I really need the back seat. > > Thanks! > > Matt -- Jim Schinnerer Hewlett-Packard Company Fort Collins, CO (970) 898-6621 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
