Sealed Rear Bulkhead?

#1

Apparently there was some discussion today in NorCal where one of the tech inspectors declared that the SE30 rear bulkhead (rear seat back) must be sealed. Apparently the small holes in the vertical face were a problem. All the holes in the package shelf seemed to be fine.

I can’t find anything in the SE30 Regulations covering this and the only mentions in the CCR are in the fuel cell section (don’t have one) and the roll cage section where it says that the rear braces “may go through any rear bulkhead(s) provided the bulkhead(s) is sealed around the cage braces”. No mention of any of the other holes or having the entire bulkhead sealed.

Is this something we need to be concerned about? I’ve seen a lot of spec cars, but never one with a fully sealed rear bulkhead. I’m not sure how I could do it anyway with coolshirt hoses coming up through there somewhere.

Actual issue or one overly ambitious tech inspector?

Matt

#2

Over ambitious tech inspector. I’m pretty sure that there is no NASA nor SpecE30 requirement that the bulkhead be entirely sealed unless, as you mentioned, there’s a fuel cell back there.

Many rear bulkheads have large openings in the middle from the factory. E30’s had an option that had a big hole there that fit a bag of ski’s. Imagine the scenario where a ski bag equipped car showed up at tech and the inspector said you had to weld on a steel plate to seal the whole, a mod that certainly isn’t in the rules.

OTH, there isn’t much appeal with tech. I’d get your regional chain of command involved and get an official ruling.

#3

As you know the stock E30 tank is forward of the rear bulkhead under the rear seat. Blocking off every little opening in the seat back area wouldn’t accomplish anything. Seems like that particular tech inspector didn’t stay at a holiday inn express!!

#4

The issue was more about the battery being in the passenger compartment without the bulkhead sealed. There was some talk about putting the battery in a marine box and all would be fine but that would mean moving it out of the battery well. All the cars have had annuals without concern. It would be nice to have a rule clarification before the nationals.

#5

The following paragraph i the NASA CCR is probably the issue:

11.4.9. The battery shall be securely fastened to the car. No Bungee cords or rubber cords may be used to function as the sole hold down mechanism. An electrically non-conductive material must cover the positive battery terminal. Any battery located inside the driver’s compartment should be fully covered and firmly secured to the chassis (or tub) in a marine type battery case. True dry cell batteries may be mounted without a surrounding case, however a case is still recommended.

The last sentance is probably just needs some work. It should say “If a true dry cell battery is mounted inside the passenger compartment, it can be installed without a surrounding case, however a case is still recommended.” Either that more accurately states what the sentance was meant to say, or everyone is ignoring the requirement.

#6

So is a Optima red top a true dry cell battery? They call it an AGM battery…

http://www.rollsbattery.com/content/agm-faqs?q=node/76&phpMyAdmin=0610e516bf803196b5feee0b1ad65c08&phpMyAdmin=3jSJ-jdC5E7b53DHgV8TGvpSCF6

#7

[quote=“poppy” post=59127]So is a Optima red top a true dry cell battery? They call it an AGM battery…

http://www.rollsbattery.com/content/agm-faqs?q=node/76&phpMyAdmin=0610e516bf803196b5feee0b1ad65c08&phpMyAdmin=3jSJ-jdC5E7b53DHgV8TGvpSCF6[/quote]
I thought that they were filled with some gelled electrolytic, but I’ve not actually seen the inside of one. Don’t let this tech issue drive your battery choice tho, they are just confused. If you want a race oriented battery, do it because they are more vibration resistant, not tech resistant.

#8

[quote=“Ranger” post=59128][quote=“poppy” post=59127]So is a Optima red top a true dry cell battery? They call it an AGM battery…

http://www.rollsbattery.com/content/agm-faqs?q=node/76&phpMyAdmin=0610e516bf803196b5feee0b1ad65c08&phpMyAdmin=3jSJ-jdC5E7b53DHgV8TGvpSCF6[/quote]
I thought that they were filled with some gelled electrolytic, but I’ve not actually seen the inside of one. Don’t let this tech issue drive your battery choice tho, they are just confused. If you want a race oriented battery, do it because they are more vibration resistant, not tech resistant.[/quote]
I believe a gel is correct. I do know that fluid did not pour out of the Optima I had in the 96 car after the wreck and the case had obious fractures.

#9

As a side bar, the AGM is a “Absorbed Glass Mat” battery - it does use a gel type electrolyte the will not leak if there is a catastrophic failure of the case. Most AGM batteries are spiral wound like the Orbital or Optima batteries. Some are ‘square wound’ and look like a conventional battery.

I can’t offer up much, other than there is nothing under Spec E30 rules that require the rear bulkhead to be sealed.

If a tech inspector had issues, and it was due to the battery, I’d put a piece of duct tape on both sides and call it ‘sealed’

#10

We are using the OEM battery in the OEM location with an OEM venting solution. I would not call the OEM location in the corner of the trunk “the driver’s compartment”.

#11

When they mentioned this to us as well, we didn’t get it. Of course it makes sense for a fuel cell. But what is it intended to do with the battery? Can someone illustrate and example where taping the holes would prevent some issue should the battery go bad? If it explodes, tape isn’t going to help. If it leaks, acid is sloshing around in your trunk. Most of us have sealed batteries anyway. (Who want’s to futz with battery water level anyway? :slight_smile: )