Batteries in roofrack.

[Ionakron 10+ year member]

Just hoping to get some helpfull input and ideas for this, but has anybody put batteries on a roof rack, safari rack, cargo carrier? How would you go about running wires into the cabin? The batteries would be in a sealed compartment of course to protect from weather. Im working with a jeep cherokee and trying to come up with some creative ideas for a full on build. Any input would be appreciated. [:

Click to read more...

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

get brackets made to mount them under the truck instead

 

[VisceralSound 10+ year member]

Drill a hole in the carrier and caulk a pvc pipe to it?

 

[Ionakron 10+ year member]

get brackets made to mount them under the truck instead

Something i'd have to custom fabricate? or is there someone who actually sells brackets for the undercarriage?

 

[LBC]

Something i'd have to custom fabricate? or is there someone who actually sells brackets for the undercarage?

My initial impression is that adding batteries to the roof would really throw off the center of gravity of the vehicle. It is worse than a bad idea. Custom fabrication is part of doing your own install. If you're not comfortable doing that, you have 2 options: Hire a shop to do it for you or scale it back so that your build requires no custom fabrication.

 

[Ionakron 10+ year member]

My initial impression is that adding batteries to the roof would really throw off the center of gravity of the vehicle. It is worse than a bad idea. Custom fabrication is part of doing your own install. If you're not comfortable doing that, you have 2 options: Hire a shop to do it for you or scale it back so that your build requires no custom fabrication.

So what would be the difference between say having a tire/jack and other cargo in a roof rack, as opposed to batteries? I'm not against custom fabrication, it'd just be easier finding some already made brackets or putting them up in the rack. Either way i'm doing it all on my own, otherwise whats the point?

 

[kramer_212 10+ year member]

thats so much weight to add to the top of the vehicle.

 

[04murdalanche]

put em on bottom..

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

any welder can make the brackets , hell we made some for a tundra last year .not that hard

 

[LBC]

So what would be the difference between say having a tire/jack and other cargo in a roof rack, as opposed to batteries? I'm not against custom fabrication, it'd just be easier finding some already made brackets or putting them up in the rack. Either way i'm doing it all on my own, otherwise whats the point?

The difference is the amount of weight. A tire jack might weigh 20 lbs if it's a beast. Cargo such as packed clothing in a suitcase can weigh 50-100lbs. 1 battery can approach 100lbs. Since you're talking about putting more than one up there, you're talking about adding a lot of weight. That's how it would be different. It's good that you're "thinking outside the box" but this idea was not a winner.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

So what would be the difference between say having a tire/jack and other cargo in a roof rack, as opposed to batteries? I'm not against custom fabrication, it'd just be easier finding some already made brackets or putting them up in the rack. Either way i'm doing it all on my own, otherwise whats the point?

Tire/Jack+other cargo = less weight then 1 Group 31 battery. There is a reason nobody else puts their battery rack on top of their vehicle..

 

[Ionakron 10+ year member]

Alrightt. Hah. Well the roof rack idea is out then. Looks like its time to find a welder.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

I would also be concerned with temperature. Heat kills batteries.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

Roof rack probably also has weight limit.

 

[Ionakron 10+ year member]

I've seen 250lbs+ on a rack. Just not sure its going to be the best idea. Unless I put 2-3 at the most, thanks for all the input everyone.