Just finished construction of a battery "box," more accurately a battery retainer: Two pieces of good-quality 1x2 wood cut 25" long (variable) with half-circles cut out to locate them across the cockpit drain pipes. The cut-outs will space 17" apart on centers. I used a big Forstner bit in a drill press to get the half-circles cut. The two 25" pieces are placed 9" apart (spacing variable, determined by the size of my battery box) by 1x2s spaced 12" apart (battery box size determined) and centered along the length of the 25" pieces. The 9" pieces are hinged to the 25"ers with 2" stainless cabinet hinges so that the long pieces will collapse against each other with the short pieces between. The collapsing is needed to get the device through the lazarette hatch. The battery box and battery rest on the bottom of the boat and are held in place by the surrounding four pieces of wood. I recommend teak, mahogany, or cypress. but even soft pine would do if sealed by good paint as the wood won't be in contact with water unless you sink, and then it won't matter. Sorry, too rainy to go take a photo. It looks like an H with two crossbars when deployed. Note: the hull bears the full weight of the battery, not the device, so no strain on the drain lines.
Battery "box"
- Thread starter Urban Hermit
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,319
Sounds like a great project.
How will the wood react if the sulfuric acid in the battery boils out (during charging) or is spilled as the boat heels while sailing? Will the "retainer" capture the acid, or will it be on the hull flowing about?
Is the Retainer attached to the hull holding the batteries in place should the boat get knocked down by a wave of strong wind?
Sailboats can be upsetting to batteries not properly secured.
How will the wood react if the sulfuric acid in the battery boils out (during charging) or is spilled as the boat heels while sailing? Will the "retainer" capture the acid, or will it be on the hull flowing about?
Is the Retainer attached to the hull holding the batteries in place should the boat get knocked down by a wave of strong wind?
Sailboats can be upsetting to batteries not properly secured.
The battery will be in a plastic battery box. The box will extend at least as far below the wood as it does above so there will be no tipping. It won't need securing to the hull because the rectangle formed by the wood is snug, about a half inch greater in both dimensions. The boat would have to submerge the top of the mast for the battery to come loose. And the battery can be lifted straight up out of the lazarette to charging if one is squeamish about charging in the hull. All good questions, though.
