batteries in cabin??

[nofuss]

Hi all it might be a crazy question, but reserch today seems to point to it not being so crazy. but i still thought I should bring it here to see if i get totally beaten over the head, before i even seriously consider this option.

Some reserch on batteries seems to indicate that AGM batteries due to their design are safe to use in living spaces. like a bank of them mounted under a bed in a RV .
How crazy an idea is it to consider mounting an AGM battery under the forward berth of my 2760. all other batteries in boat are AGM.
if this is safe it would be the ideal spot making inverter mounting easy.

ok im ready lay it on

No Fuss

 

[sasto]

Re: batteries in cabin??

I'd rather have your battery under my berth than the head that's under my ladies boats berth.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: batteries in cabin??

AGM batteries are perfectly safe for what you propose. I have them under the sleeping/seating area in my camper trailer, and I'm considering moving them under the seats in the boat (rather than in the aft area, for weight balancing).

 

[DianneB]

Re: batteries in cabin??

Lead/acid batteries only gas when being charged quickly and produce hydrogen gas. If the area is vented when the engine is running, there is no problem with any battery. I have recently move my batteries to the forward cabin, under the floor, and provided a small 12 volt fan to vent the compartment whenever the engine is running.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: batteries in cabin??

It should work without much problem (venting?) , but think about these 2 things first.

1) Whether AGM or lead acid, make sure if you have a trickle charger that it's not in the same compartment as the batteries.

2) What would happen should a battery case split? Are you going to insert a tray of some sort to catch any discharge?

 

[nofuss]

Re: batteries in cabin??

Thanks Guys, when i was expecting to get a beat up for another crazy idea, its not that crazy after all. its a relief to be able to move that 150lbs forward. and fireman thanks for the guidance, I did not think of that. I will build a fibreglass battery box that is a little bigger than the battery with a bolting system to hold the battery in place this way if there is any leak it would be collected.

Thanks

No Fuss

 

[Fireman431]

Re: batteries in cabin??

I will build a fibreglass battery box that is a little bigger than the battery with a bolting system to hold the battery in place this way if there is any leak it would be collected.

Maybe look into something that's premade for ease, such an overflow container for a water heater or washing machine.

 

[wire2]

Re: batteries in cabin??

iboats has several models of plastic battery boxes, starting at only $8;
http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...37934--submit.Search--submit.x.15--submit.y.8

Just click on "Boat parts & accessories" above. I can tell you, shipping is reasonable and fast.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: batteries in cabin??

No it is not a good idea. All batteries can vent. AGM (and Gel Cells) batteries are called Sealed Vavle Regulated or (SVR) batteries. The truth is they have a small valve in each cell that will vent if the battery overheats or overpressures while charging. AGM batteries are very sensitive to charging voltage and temperature. I hope the guy who sold them told you that, because you cannot use your old auto style battery charger with AGMs because it will ruin them. You need to use a three stage charger with a temperature sensing capability. This also applies to Gel Cells. The USCG and ABYC, and all other standards require all batteries to be ventilated. It doesn't take a lot of open space, just a path to the atmosphere. See batteries, Everything You Need To Know. http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/hottopics.html

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: batteries in cabin??

I completely agree with Ike, I sure wouldn't want them sealed up in my enclosed cabin...

 

[kmarine]

Re: batteries in cabin??

If you move these batteries, you may have to upgrade your wire gauge. With direct current you will recieve a voltage drop when using longer wires. The longer your your cables become the greater the drop. Calculate both on the positive and ground side. Make sure to calculate, amperage, load,guage of wire. The marine wire manufacture will have charts on wire capacity and voltage drop. Excessive heat from thinner wires can become a safty hazzard. This is a primary reason why batterys are close to engines,and boats with bow thrusters have an additional battery inside the cabin in the bow.

 

[DianneB]

Re: batteries in cabin??

AC or DC there is voltage drop but at 12 volts it is an important factor.

In moving the batteries froward in my 24 foot cruiser, the cost of cables was as much as buying 3 new batteries! Then there is the issue of routing a 1-1/4" conduit through the cabin - that's a massive pipe!

(I used two 0 Ga cables, +12 & common negative, for the engine battery and a 1 Ga for the house battery. I moved the batteries to improve the balance of the boat and it had the added advantage of allowing the battery switch to be in the helm amidships.)

 

[nofuss]

Re: batteries in cabin??

I am fortunate that i have a very large cable I think it is 1ga but it is the same size as my house power cable, running to the area below my forward berth which is run to power my windlass. it feeds a large relay mounted there.
With the house batteries at the bow, I would use this bank to power the Windlass and since i plan to use a 3 way switch that I already have, to be able to isolate the Fwd house battery bank, I could wire i so that I could power the windlass from one of the starting batteries while bypassing the house bank, if i were to run them down too far.

I have never personnally seen plastic battery boxes that could hold and secure batteies that size (group 31), but i will check, that would make life easier.
again thanks for the guidance

No Fuss

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: batteries in cabin??

the wife had a 1996 Buick Riviera car with the battery mounted under the back seat--just flip the seat up and there it sits.
And a very cool supercharged car BTW!

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: batteries in cabin??

Our 1958 Volkswagen also had the battery under the back seat. But cars back then were drafty and well ventilated.

Boat cabins today are fairly tight and not well ventilated. Besides outgassing hydrogen, batteries also outgas corrosive vapors, This is just one of the reasons (there are others) why they are not allowed to be mounted under a fuel line, unless there is something that intervenes, like a deck, and ABYC doesn't allow other electronic equipment to be mounted directly over batteries.

 

[wire2]

Re: batteries in cabin??

.....
I have never personnally seen plastic battery boxes that could hold and secure batteies that size (group 31), ....

http://www.iboats.com/Battery-Box-f...6967594--**********.027649575--view_id.237026

$13.12

 

[smatsinger]

Re: batteries in cabin??

I dropped one in under the cuddy sink. I trailer it, so at the house it's hooked up to a trickle charger and well ventilated. On the water it's secured and hooked to the 1500 power inverter. Mind you this runs an oscilating fan at night while we sleep, phone chargers and a air pump for floats for tha gals. We've never had a problem. Make sure you add a fuse on the hot right off the battery. My 0.02, but I'm a rookie.

 

[nofuss]

Re: batteries in cabin??

thanks wire 2 but my batteries are 9-1/2 inches high.
I checked all the ones i boats has, dont see one big enough.
will do some searching when i get tp florida on monday.