1st autoX in Elise question on battery - LotusTalk

PECivil · 04-29-2009, 12:57 PM

Hey gents, the info in this forum is GOLD Jerry, GOLD!@!

I am taking the elise for her first autoX at Qualcomm with SCCA in a couple of weeks, and I have a question: Is the battery holder thing an issue?

I have been reading about the battery coming loose rather easily and I am all stock and worrying about throwing it around the trunk at autoX.

Are you autocrossers running stock batteries and mounting brackets or do I need to upgrade to the sector 111 battery mount b4 I go?

TIA

ZJChaser · 04-29-2009, 01:09 PM

Just make sure its tight. I've been running the stock battery for years on track now without a problem.

PECivil · 04-29-2009, 01:12 PM

thanks aj I will tighten it down

aschen · 04-29-2009, 01:45 PM

since you used a seinfeld quote: the battery holddown is worry some for me. It is easy for the battery to slip backwards and the "nubs" easily push the bracket out of the way. What I did: put a strip of double sided gummy tape on the inside of the bracket and wedged it up against the bat as tightly as I could while tightening. This insures the bat doesent slide for and aft. It is suprising how well it works actually....

PECivil · 04-29-2009, 01:58 PM

thanks AS, that sounds like a brilliant fix I will see if I can duplicate.

The idea of breaking the clam at my 1st autoX makes my stomach hurt.

larez2 · 04-29-2009, 02:08 PM

I've been running my stock battery/mount at the AX's at the Q for a while now no problems. Lots of events there this month!

As ZJChaser said, just make sure its tight and you'll be good to go. They check the battery tightness during tech also, so they'll tell you if its (too) loose...

Good Luck,
Larez2

Bane · 04-29-2009, 02:19 PM

Make sure it's REALLY secure.

I had my stock battery come loose...

End result = over 30 days of having the car down, new rear clamshell, total bill was in the 5-figure range.

cstetter · 04-29-2009, 02:26 PM

I'd also be worried about the damn thing leaking all over the place (mine did)

aschen · 04-29-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larez2

I've been running my stock battery/mount at the AX's at the Q for a while now no problems. Lots of events there this month!

As ZJChaser said, just make sure its tight and you'll be good to go. They check the battery tightness during tech also, so they'll tell you if its (too) loose...

Good Luck,
Larez2

metoo with zero problems but if you tigten it with the clamp, test how much force it takes to push the battery back and out of the camp. On my car it is about 25 lbs. So .75 G acceleration could do the trick. Our cours arnt capable of such heroic accelerations but, the factor of safty is still low. With the tape in place I am unable to push the bat back. It requires at least 75 lbs. Over the clamp design is bad, it needs more for and aft positive location. The ramp on the bat nub wants to push the bracke out of the way. I keep meaning to fab something better but havent got around to it. I believe someone on here was contemplating making something better for around 45$.

aschen · 04-29-2009, 02:37 PM

oh yeah I think I used a bit of blue loctite on the threads also. This issue is too silly to loose 5k$ worth of bodywork over...

plastique999 · 04-29-2009, 02:58 PM

In my early days of tracking mine has come loose....car died in the middle of the track - very embarassing.
Make sure you have a bracket of some sort that is super tight.

look on pg. 3 of this thread:
Voltphreaks battery exploded today

chaoscreature · 04-30-2009, 08:40 PM

I went and saw a Lotus Elise for sale at Unique Motorsports in Escondido and fell in love with it, but they wouldnt let me drive it because it had just been detailed...
Anyways, I am thinking of picking one up after I sell my Mustang Fastback, but I need to know more about these cars before I buy one. My wife in particular is a bit dubious about her ability to drive one (she's 5'3").
PECivil,
Please let me know if you are planning on being at qualcomm next week (May 9-10). I dont expect you to let me drive it, but I would appreciate a ride around the parking lot and to talk with you about your experience.
Thank you

PECivil · 05-01-2009, 03:14 PM

chaos,
I will be there on the 9th, plus there is an autox ground school on the Friday evening before I will also attend. Definitely you can check the car out. its just impossible to describe what a blast it is to drive.

I checked out that Elise at Unique too, the dark silver one?? They still have it I see. What are they asking?? When I looked at it I think it was 33k?

it had a larini single pipe exhaust IIRC.

BTW my elise is lime green so you should be able to find me!!

Monte

Brennon · 05-01-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaoscreature

I went and saw a Lotus Elise for sale at Unique Motorsports in Escondido and fell in love with it, but they wouldnt let me drive it because it had just been detailed...
Anyways, I am thinking of picking one up after I sell my Mustang Fastback, but I need to know more about these cars before I buy one. My wife in particular is a bit dubious about her ability to drive one (she's 5'3").
PECivil,
Please let me know if you are planning on being at qualcomm next week (May 9-10). I dont expect you to let me drive it, but I would appreciate a ride around the parking lot and to talk with you about your experience.
Thank you

I'll be at Cruisin' Grand tonight in Escondido. You're welcome to poke around in my Exige.

larez2 · 05-01-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaoscreature

... My wife in particular is a bit dubious about her ability to drive one (she's 5'3").
PECivil,
Please let me know if you are planning on being at qualcomm next week (May 9-10). I dont expect you to let me drive it, but I would appreciate a ride around the parking lot and to talk with you about your experience.
Thank you

5'3" is fine to drive it, the seat can be moved up really far. I think it would be really had to get in and out of the car with the seat moved that far forward but she could just slide it back whenever she enters or exits the car. I'll be at the Q on May 9th as well, but I was planning to be at the Porsche event in the other lot not the SCCA one. My buddy might be running my Lotus in the SCCA event though so if you see a magnetic blue one, feel free to come up and talk about it. If I end up doing the SCCA you are welcome to ride with me for a run if they have fun runs.

And just so I stay on the thread topic, i better double check my battery!

chaoscreature · 05-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Wow, I had no idea there were that many lotus's in this area.
I will do my best to make it to the Qualcomm events next weekend.
Yes, the one at Unique was a dark grey one, but it might be a different one. It's the least expensive lotus I have seen so far at 23k but it also has the highest mileage and something just felt... off, even though I didnt get to drive it.
Thank you all for the replies and the offers to see your cars.
Brennon,
Sorry, I didnt check this forum until Saturday. I will try and make it next Friday though.
Thanks again

04-29-2009, 12:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 197	1st autoX in Elise question on battery Hey gents, the info in this forum is GOLD Jerry, GOLD!@! I am taking the elise for her first autoX at Qualcomm with SCCA in a couple of weeks, and I have a question: Is the battery holder thing an issue? I have been reading about the battery coming loose rather easily and I am all stock and worrying about throwing it around the trunk at autoX. Are you autocrossers running stock batteries and mounting brackets or do I need to upgrade to the sector 111 battery mount b4 I go? TIA __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

04-29-2009, 01:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
ZJChaser Blue Wheel Pimp Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 2,851	Just make sure its tight. I've been running the stock battery for years on track now without a problem. __________________ AJ - Akua Solutions - #128 Lotus Exige - JRZ Suspension - Innovative Mounts - Toyo Tires - TW Research Development

04-29-2009, 01:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 197	thanks aj I will tighten it down __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

04-29-2009, 01:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
aschen My car is really small Join Date: May 2008 Location: Woodlands Tx Posts: 395	since you used a seinfeld quote: the battery holddown is worry some for me. It is easy for the battery to slip backwards and the "nubs" easily push the bracket out of the way. What I did: put a strip of double sided gummy tape on the inside of the bracket and wedged it up against the bat as tightly as I could while tightening. This insures the bat doesent slide for and aft. It is suprising how well it works actually.... __________________ 05 Safron Yellow "bumbleBee" Not sure I can ever go back to a regular car 84 930 turbo "no nickname yet" 06 WRX Wagon "silverbullet"

04-29-2009, 01:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 197	thanks AS, that sounds like a brilliant fix I will see if I can duplicate. The idea of breaking the clam at my 1st autoX makes my stomach hurt. __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

04-29-2009, 02:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
larez2 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 141	I've been running my stock battery/mount at the AX's at the Q for a while now no problems. Lots of events there this month! As ZJChaser said, just make sure its tight and you'll be good to go. They check the battery tightness during tech also, so they'll tell you if its (too) loose... Good Luck, Larez2

04-29-2009, 02:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bane . Join Date: May 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 2,960 Images: 4	Make sure it's REALLY secure. I had my stock battery come loose... End result = over 30 days of having the car down, new rear clamshell, total bill was in the 5-figure range. __________________ $599 PPE header (INFO) 2007 BMW 335i - Mostly stock un-Official LotusTalk Stealth Bulb provider *6* sets in stock!

04-29-2009, 02:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
cstetter Nothing witty to say Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,443	I'd also be worried about the damn thing leaking all over the place (mine did)

04-29-2009, 02:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
aschen My car is really small Join Date: May 2008 Location: Woodlands Tx Posts: 395	oh yeah I think I used a bit of blue loctite on the threads also. This issue is too silly to loose 5k$ worth of bodywork over... __________________ 05 Safron Yellow "bumbleBee" Not sure I can ever go back to a regular car 84 930 turbo "no nickname yet" 06 WRX Wagon "silverbullet"

04-29-2009, 02:58 PM	#11 (permalink)
plastique999 Form and Function Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, CA Posts: 3,046	In my early days of tracking mine has come loose....car died in the middle of the track - very embarassing. Make sure you have a bracket of some sort that is super tight. look on pg. 3 of this thread: Voltphreaks battery exploded today __________________ www.FaceNBody.com 2005 Lotus Elise: 2bular decat\GT3 exhaust,HID's,turn signal&rear fins delete, CFside scoops, CFbinnacle,CFcenter console,Zoom CF mirror,APR Aero kit,CF 5-elem. diffuser,Exige mesh,Ohlins DA,RTD brace,RAC 'lites,Toyo R888's,HawkHT10's,CO painted calipers,SS lines,Reverie XC CF seat,Reverie CF steering wheel,Schroth Profi II 6 pt harness,shifter re-Enforcer,Manly mounts, Accusump,Moroso pan,BWR key to BWR S/C! Spec Racer Ford #237

04-30-2009, 08:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
chaoscreature Chaoscreature Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 22	SCCA Autocross next week I went and saw a Lotus Elise for sale at Unique Motorsports in Escondido and fell in love with it, but they wouldnt let me drive it because it had just been detailed... Anyways, I am thinking of picking one up after I sell my Mustang Fastback, but I need to know more about these cars before I buy one. My wife in particular is a bit dubious about her ability to drive one (she's 5'3"). PECivil, Please let me know if you are planning on being at qualcomm next week (May 9-10). I dont expect you to let me drive it, but I would appreciate a ride around the parking lot and to talk with you about your experience. Thank you

05-01-2009, 03:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 197	chaos, I will be there on the 9th, plus there is an autox ground school on the Friday evening before I will also attend. Definitely you can check the car out. its just impossible to describe what a blast it is to drive. I checked out that Elise at Unique too, the dark silver one?? They still have it I see. What are they asking?? When I looked at it I think it was 33k? it had a larini single pipe exhaust IIRC. BTW my elise is lime green so you should be able to find me!! Monte __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

05-02-2009, 07:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
chaoscreature Chaoscreature Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 22	Thanks Everyone Wow, I had no idea there were that many lotus's in this area. I will do my best to make it to the Qualcomm events next weekend. Yes, the one at Unique was a dark grey one, but it might be a different one. It's the least expensive lotus I have seen so far at 23k but it also has the highest mileage and something just felt... off, even though I didnt get to drive it. Thank you all for the replies and the offers to see your cars. Brennon, Sorry, I didnt check this forum until Saturday. I will try and make it next Friday though. Thanks again

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