Battery Mounting. What works? What Doesn't?

[shay_mcquaid]

Battery Mounting. What works? What Doesn't?


Hi. Thanks for looking.

Just bought a 1981 Sea Ray 260 Express Cruiser.

Going to upgrade house bank this week.
I've decided to use dual 6v batteries.

Unfortunately,I haven't seen my battery compartment as of yet. (I know,I know.)

The batteries have a 10 1/4 x 7 1/8 footprint.

How are/should the batteries be mounted.

Anyone have any effective tricks or techniques?
Should I just get a universal battery tray?

I really appreciate any input.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Battery Mounting. What works? What Doesn't?

I'm not a big fan of battery boxes..I just want mine secure to the deck, using a battery tray. Therefore I use something like these...

http://www.iboats.com/T-H-Marine-Op...3440887--**********.683586936--view_id.685971

This way I am a little more likely to maintain my batteries. Even though they are maintenance proof, I can readily check connectors, etc...

 

[shay_mcquaid]

Re: Battery Mounting. What works? What Doesn't?

kinda what I was thinking...

 

[arks]

Re: Battery Mounting. What works? What Doesn't?

Here's another opinion.....
I happen to be a big fan of enclosed battery boxes for one reason- the elimination of an accidential short circuit. Both terminals and all connections are completely protected inside the box and cover. They come with nylon hold-downs and strap. Routine maintenance includes checking the battery levels; it's easy to pop the tops.
http://www.iboats.com/Seasense-Battery-Box/dm/*******.902601516--**********.662831809--view_id.56229

Shay, with twin 6 Volts, you'll be adding some weight. Consider where to mount them so the boat sits level in the water. My boat had a slight list to starboard, so I put a battery along the port side to level her up.

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Battery Mounting. What works? What Doesn't?

I liked the battery boxes for their short circuit protection but I thought the trays were more secure so I compromised.

I bought the SeaSense boxes and threw away the cheesy plastic hold downs. Then I bought some SS friction tie down buckles like the one shown third down in this picture;

...and some stainless windshield ties from the truck accessory store,

I slipped the sewn loop end over the SS handles and screwed them to the deck. I can cinch the boxes down and they don't move...not even in 4 ft waves (its been tested!). I cut the straps to the correct length and melted the ends to prevent unravelling. Last I packed the boxes with foam rubber along the sides of the battery to prevent them from moving inside, now I just take the entire box out at seasons end to charge them (they have side handles), keeps them safe from shorts inside the house too.

Now when I need to get at the battery's I just loosen the straps and slide the whole box out to access the battery, just make sure you leave enough free cable to slide them out. I have dual battery's in the rear of my Tuffy under the splashwell but visible in the boat and I like that they are easy to access but protected from shorts and easily checked for secure fastening, the boxes hide the cables so it looks sano.

I still don't understand why they don't sell trays that accept a box, I looked all over for a product that combined both products desirable features and couldn't find anything locally...so I made my own.

$5 per box plus $20 bucks for buckles plus $2 for drawer pulls...the foam rubber was free from a few old drink holders I had laying around;

I imagine you could even silicone glue the battery's into the box for the amount of times you will change them, the boxes are cheap anyway. The cheapest dual battery trays I found were more expensive than my solution and nowhere as convenient.

 

[shay_mcquaid]

Re: Battery Mounting. What works? What Doesn't?

Thanks. I like that idea.