NHRA Battery relocation rules
 

I have the battery in the back of my hatch and I am concened with the way that the installation was done (previous owner did the install). My main red cable is coming from the relay up front through the sub frame connectors (literally) into the rear of the car. A friend told me that I need to put a fuse in line somewhere and that a grommet needs to hold the line in place as it comes through the floor (in the rear). Anyone know the rules regarding this install? I don't want to get at the track and be turned away.

8.1 BATTERIES

All batteries must be securely mounted and may not be relocated into the driver or passenger compartments. Rear firewall of .024-inch (.6 mm) steel or .032-inch (.8 mm) aluminum (including package tray) required when battery is re-located in trunk. In lieu of rear firewall, battery may be located in a sealed .024-inch (.6 mm) or .032-inch (.8 mm) aluminum, or FIA accepted poly box. If sealed box is used in lieu of rear firewall, box may not be used to secure battery, and must be vented outside of body. Strapping tape prohibited. A maximum of two automobile batteries, or 150 pounds (68 kg) combined maximum weight (unless otherwise specified in Class Requirements) is permitted. Metal battery hold-down straps mandatory. Hold-down bolts must be minimum 3/8-inch (9.53 mm) if battery is relocated from stock and other than stock hold-downs are used ("J" hooks prohibited or must have open end welded shut.).


Take care,
-Chris

8.4 MASTER CUTOFF

Mandatory when battery is relocated, or as outlined in Class Requirements. An electrical power cutoff switch (one only) must be installed on the rearmost part of each vehicle and be easily accessible from outside the car body. This cutoff switch must be connected to the positive side of the electrical system and must stop all electrical functions including magneto ignition. The external control switch for this cutoff switch will be clearly indicated by a red flash inside a white-edged blue triangle with a base of at least 12 cm (see drawing 25). The positions must be clearly indicated with the word "OFF". If switch is "push/pull" type, push must be the action for shutting off the electrical system, pull to turn it on. Any rods or cables used to activate the switch must be minimum 1/8-inch (3.2 mm) diameter. Plastic or keyed switches prohibited. Switches and/or controls must be located behind rear wheels on rear engine dragsters.


Take care,
-Chris

Thanks a bunch Chris. I was just worried that my cable going thru the sub frames was not safe. But from these statements it seems as if I'm all set. Got the cutoff, got the battery box and tube to ventilate, sounds like I'm o.k. There's only one way to find out....now if we could avoid the rain I might be able to see what this thing does. Anything worse than 12's is unacceptable!