Author Topic: TC Battery Removal Puzzle?  (Read 242 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline FourLoti

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Apr 2023
  • Location: Central Ohio
  • Posts: 176
TC Battery Removal Puzzle?
« on: Thursday,May 11, 2023, 07:08:35 AM »
Hi: It looks like the swirl pot needs to come out to make way for pulling the battery. But to get to the pot mounting screws, the brake boosters are in the way.

Am I missing something or is this a bigger task than I expected?

Thanks,

Ron
1974 Europa Twin Cam Special 5-Speed
1996 Porsche 993 Carrera Coupe
2005 Mitsubishi Montero Limited
1987 Esprit Turbo (gone)
1980 Eclat (gone)
1963 Elan S1 (gone)
1970 Europa S2 (gone)

Offline Bryan Boyle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Feb 2022
  • Location: Fall River MA
  • Posts: 738
  • 1974 Europa JPS #142 3291R
    • Lotus Europa Collection
Re: TC Battery Removal Puzzle?
« Reply #1 on: Thursday,May 11, 2023, 07:16:50 AM »
Hi: It looks like the swirl pot needs to come out to make way for pulling the battery. But to get to the pot mounting screws, the brake boosters are in the way.

Am I missing something or is this a bigger task than I expected?

Thanks,

Ron

How big is the battery?  I don't recall moving/removing anything to replace mine last year.  Had to make up a hold-down bracket out of angle aluminum and fish around for the hold-down bolts, but other than that, IIRC, I did have to stand it on end (it's a sealed case, with the vent on top) to get it down in there, but other than that...
Bryan Boyle
Fall River MA
Morrisville PA
Commercial Pilot/CFII/FAA Safety Team
Amateur Extra Class Operator & FCC Volunteer Examiner
Currently working on 3291R, ex 444R, 693R, 65/2163, 004R, 65/2678
http://www.lotuseuropa.us for mirror of lotus-europa.com manual site.

Offline FourLoti

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Apr 2023
  • Location: Central Ohio
  • Posts: 176
Re: TC Battery Removal Puzzle?
« Reply #2 on: Thursday,May 11, 2023, 07:41:53 AM »
Thanks - I'm probably overreacting - will try the vertical method!

Ron
1974 Europa Twin Cam Special 5-Speed
1996 Porsche 993 Carrera Coupe
2005 Mitsubishi Montero Limited
1987 Esprit Turbo (gone)
1980 Eclat (gone)
1963 Elan S1 (gone)
1970 Europa S2 (gone)

Offline Bryan Boyle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Feb 2022
  • Location: Fall River MA
  • Posts: 738
  • 1974 Europa JPS #142 3291R
    • Lotus Europa Collection
Re: TC Battery Removal Puzzle?
« Reply #3 on: Thursday,May 11, 2023, 08:41:55 AM »
Thanks - I'm probably overreacting - will try the vertical method!

Ron

It takes some fiddling (like everything else on these buggies...).  Always helpful to not overthink.  They certainly didn't back in the day (in some cases, didn't think at all...difference between how engineers design stuff without knowing how technicians have to service it...;))
Bryan Boyle
Fall River MA
Morrisville PA
Commercial Pilot/CFII/FAA Safety Team
Amateur Extra Class Operator & FCC Volunteer Examiner
Currently working on 3291R, ex 444R, 693R, 65/2163, 004R, 65/2678
http://www.lotuseuropa.us for mirror of lotus-europa.com manual site.

Offline Bainford

  • Twin Cam 3682R
  • Super Member
  • *******
  • Joined: Jul 2012
  • Location: Nova Scotia
  • Posts: 1,650
Re: TC Battery Removal Puzzle?
« Reply #4 on: Thursday,May 11, 2023, 09:09:16 AM »
Removing the battery in my TC is a right pain. My boosters are gone, but still have to remove the header tank. I've wiggled it every which way, and it is agonizingly close to squeezing out, but not quite. I haven't done the research yet, but I hope to eventually swap it out for a much smaller lithium battery. Should lose about 30 lbs in the process, too.
The Twin Cam plays the symphony whilst my right foot conducts the orchestra. At 3800 rpm the Mad Pipe Organ joins in.

Trevor

Offline Triton

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Joined: Jan 2021
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Posts: 59
Re: TC Battery Removal Puzzle?
« Reply #5 on: Thursday,May 11, 2023, 10:29:28 AM »
As Bryan says ,it should come straight up, just a chore getting the bracket's back on.  Maybe it would help if you get a friend to hold the engine cover straight up to give you a bit more room...

Offline FourLoti

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Apr 2023
  • Location: Central Ohio
  • Posts: 176
Re: TC Battery Removal Puzzle?
« Reply #6 on: Thursday,May 11, 2023, 11:21:37 AM »
Thanks everyone - this was a rookie question. I just needed loosen the clamps on the catch tank and move it over a bit. Then tilt the battery on it's side as suggested and pulled it straight up and out!

Cheers,

Ron
1974 Europa Twin Cam Special 5-Speed
1996 Porsche 993 Carrera Coupe
2005 Mitsubishi Montero Limited
1987 Esprit Turbo (gone)
1980 Eclat (gone)
1963 Elan S1 (gone)
1970 Europa S2 (gone)