Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Jump starting a Mog with "behind the seats" batter

Mine is a Plus-8 and the battery is tucked away in front of the axle and behind the passengers' seat, so as well recognised by threads referring to replacement, very different to access.
As many know, we had a fire some time ago which destroyed both my 1964 +4 and our garage entirely which left us mentally scarred and nervous about leaving any electrical unit switched on - even a modern Conditioner. Every winter since, I've wondered if the car would start (so far, no problem) and how I would jump-start if it did. It seems to me that the following concept should work within the engine bay and so avoid trying to get Croc-Clips onto battery terminals in-situ - but will it work and is it safe? Here's my theory:
Fit positive jump lead to Starter solenoid bolt head at point where battery feed cable connects, then connect negative jump lead to chassis as direct earth
What then, will it start, explode or some other unexpected and expensive event? Thank goodness for the brains of others ...

Hi John,

I had a problem with my battery last year, and John@RPM suggested jump starting the car in the method you just described.

In the end I connected our jump leads to the battery terminals directly, so can't vouch for whether it will work or not

Cheers,

Nigel

On my 02 +8 I had the battery moved from the original scuttle position to the more traditional (?) Axle position. At the same time I had heavy duty cable laid beneath the car to two terminals under the bonnet so that the car could be jump started if needed.

Another similar option would be to set up something like this

However the solution you suggest should also work.

Brian

A shame Morgan don't put a couple of terminals for jump starting under the bonnet now that all the batteries are well hidden away. A number of car manufacturers do it these days.

Hello John.
I've done it like this, no problem electrically, just the space between in and out terminals on the solenoid's a bit tight on mine. I also connect my charger this way if need be.

To be honest - I've never jump started a Morgan. Push started both 3 and 4 wheelers though.

If you go the route of putting in cable for the purpose of jump starting, I suggest you do the job properly and terminate the cable in an Anderson connector. These are used by most of the single seat racers in hillclimbs and sprints where a starting battery is not carried.
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/battery-jack-plugs-anderson/anderson-jack-plugs

That is the system normally used on Moto Guzzi motorcycles that use a small car type starter motor.

That's how I did it on my Plus 8 - and so did the AA man - when I had a dodgy battery a few years ago. You can attach the negative lead to the head of the bolt that holds the starter motor in place to get a more direct connection.

Fjemog

I had starting problems with the 4/4 late 2010.
It was a bad earth.
I by-passed the negative circuit via chassis and lead to the starter mounting bolt using a jump lead from battery negative to the mounting bolt.
Car started immediately every time indicating a failure in the circuit somewhere.
I tested the circuit between various points but in the end I cleaned up every joint/bolt connection etc in the negative circuit, cleaning contacts and vaseline to protect. Never a problem since.

Having read this thread, I am glad that the battery on mine is under the bonnet.