Battery boxes

[drewpster]

I want to build a vented box to surround my battery. Does the USCG require that the battery be in a battery box specifically or must it be secured and inclosed?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Battery boxes

You can buy a vented, black plastic battery box at walmart for about $8, it's waterproof, strap it down in boat, that's about as easy as it gets!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery boxes

The battery does not have to be in a box..just secured.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Battery boxes

The battery does not have to be in a box..just secured.

And the terminals covered to prevent accidental shorts/sparks.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Battery boxes

The area under the splash well in the tri-project below is basically a blank slate. My idea was to build a vented enclosure and mount the battery inside it. I was going to screw the front to it to allow access to the battery and mount the battery switch on the front of it. I dont want a battery "box" so getting the battery in and out will be easier. I was thinking of mounting the charger inside the box with a remote charging port.
Another option would be to enclose the whole area under the splash well. But I dont want to lose the storage. And I am concerned about venting the fuel tank. Is it a bad idea to enclose the tank with the batteries?

 

[sasto]

Re: Battery boxes

Regulations prohibit the battery from being mounted above or below the fuel tank, fuel filter, or any fuel fitting. I assume your fuel lines are non metalic. I like a vented, dry area for my battery but I don't like my charger to be in the same vented box as the battery.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Battery boxes

I installed mine into the seat boxes, the only downside to this setup is checking the batteries visualy every so often.
I used way to many screws on the lid.

The boxes/seats and all the other wood work is just 1/2" stained plywood with at least 6 coats of varnish. The wood work was all done during the winter as too the reason for the 6 coats of varish. It made for a good excuse to sneak out to the garage and have a cold beer.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Battery boxes

I had some home made seats in mine before I started the restoration. I had my battery mounted the same way, in the seat box. I really liked it there, the balance of the boat worked better getting a little more weight forward. I am going back with factory back to back seats. Since it is a 16 foot boat, I have to use the smaller back to back seats. Can anyone with back to backs tell me if they have enough room for batteries under them? I assume not, thats why i am putting the batts aft in the factory location.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery boxes

I like a vented, dry area for my battery but I don't like my charger to be in the same vented box as the battery.

Why? Onboard chargers are all potted so there would never be a spark.

 

[sasto]

Re: Battery boxes

Why? Onboard chargers are all potted so there would never be a spark.

My concern is not so much with the charger being with the battery, it's with the battery being with the charger. I have had a couple batteries explode. You know what that can cause. If you feel different, I would like to know.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery boxes

Well if the batteries have exploded, you have already had the worst case scenario so not sure if it could get any worse with a battery charger in there.

How did your batteries explode? Seems that the only way would be if they were overcharging, gassing a lot and a spark occured.

Just curious since I have my charger around 6 inches from one of my batteries.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Battery boxes

I had some home made seats in mine before I started the restoration. I had my battery mounted the same way, in the seat box. I really liked it there, the balance of the boat worked better getting a little more weight forward. I am going back with factory back to back seats. Since it is a 16 foot boat, I have to use the smaller back to back seats. Can anyone with back to backs tell me if they have enough room for batteries under them? I assume not, thats why i am putting the batts aft in the factory location.

I am realy happy with them being under the seat, like you said it helped balance the boat out and totaly out of sight.
The back to back seats I had the base was way to short, I did not bother to measure it as it was that much to low.

As for the on-board charger, I would suggest just using the one you probably have in your garage but I would make a better accessable plug in for it.
There is also the weight issue but the real reason would be the money saved from not purchasing the on-board and using what you probably already have.

You could use that dough to buy a couple more Rapala's and a flat of beer.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Battery boxes

.

You could use that dough to buy a couple more Rapala's and a flat of beer.

Now you have me thinking! You know, I do have a good charger on the bench, no need complicating things. For what those fancy chargers cost, I could probably buy a pallet of beer.

Still building the nifty enclosure though.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Battery boxes

Now you have me thinking! You know, I do have a good charger on the bench, no need complicating things. For what those fancy chargers cost, I could probably buy a pallet of beer.

Still building the nifty enclosure though.

Spoken like a true fisherman

If I could suggest one more thing and that would be to take a couple of cold ones out to the boat. Have a seat in the boat and kick back, while you are tippin and sippin figure out a neat quick connect for your charger.

As long as you are not using the charger to start your motor you would only need a wire capable of carrying 10 amps and I say 10 amps only as that is what I would feel comfortable if this was my boat.

 

[sasto]

Re: Battery boxes

Well if the batteries have exploded, you have already had the worst case scenario so not sure if it could get any worse with a battery charger in there.

How did your batteries explode? Seems that the only way would be if they were overcharging, gassing a lot and a spark occured.

Just curious since I have my charger around 6 inches from one of my batteries.

The smart charger wasn't as smart as she thought she was......Sound familiar?....Each time our battery exploded was the same situation. Battery was at the end of it's life, being constantly charged and getting hot. Soon as I hit the start, sounds like a 12ga. shotgun... Overload, they tell me.... I have sat 6 inches from a battery and charger. But I don't like my charger in a battery box. I'm just not comfortable about the additional heat the charger puts out.

 

[sasto]

Re: Battery boxes

Now you have me thinking! You know, I do have a good charger on the bench, no need complicating things. For what those fancy chargers cost, I could probably buy a pallet of beer.

Still building the nifty enclosure though.

If she were mine....I'd use that charger and buy me the pallet of beer.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Battery boxes

But I don't like my charger in a battery box. I'm just not comfortable about the additional heat the charger puts out.

I see what you are saying. Probably depends a lot on the size of the enclosed area and how the heat can get out.