Haven't found anything specific in the archives, so I thought I'd throw it out to the group. I have three batteries on the starboard side, one starter and two as house bank. They are located in the settee, and are parallel to the boat length i.e. the batteries sit side by side, in a row, end to end. I was trying to save space, and realized I could turn them perpendicular to the boat length i.e. have the batteries sit side by side. The question - is there a concern about batteries heeling and the effect of having the plates exposed? I tried to draw out the concern in the attached picture, to illustrate what might happen to a heeled battery. Maybe this happens all the time and is no big deal. Maybe this is a big deal and there's a reason to orient the batteries one way versus another. Looking forward to everyone's thoughts and comments. Paul
Battery Orientation and Heeling
- Thread starter PHitchcox
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I suppose that if the plates in the cells were parallel
to the long axis of the boat than the effect that you show would be lessened. I think that you would have to be on one tack for a very long time to have an adverse effect on the battery plate chemistry.
to the long axis of the boat than the effect that you show would be lessened. I think that you would have to be on one tack for a very long time to have an adverse effect on the battery plate chemistry.
separate cells
I wouldn't worry. Don't forget the battery is comprised of separate cells, each of which isn't wide enough to allow free surface flooding effect sufficient to dry out any portion of a plate even if you broach (temporarily)
I wouldn't worry. Don't forget the battery is comprised of separate cells, each of which isn't wide enough to allow free surface flooding effect sufficient to dry out any portion of a plate even if you broach (temporarily)
Great illustration Paul.
And other good reason for spending the extra money for all AGMs, I don't have to worry about the answer. But I agree with Don, it is not a concern. Still that is a great bit of art work. As for Gels and AGMs they really are worth the money. My Gels lasted almost ten years. I only switched them out because I was leaving home on an extended cruise. You can put them anywhere at any angle.
And other good reason for spending the extra money for all AGMs, I don't have to worry about the answer. But I agree with Don, it is not a concern. Still that is a great bit of art work. As for Gels and AGMs they really are worth the money. My Gels lasted almost ten years. I only switched them out because I was leaving home on an extended cruise. You can put them anywhere at any angle.
I guess the best answer is to place them
whichever way they fit best. The temporary uncovering of a small portion of the plates seems to have minimal consequences in boat batteries. Even in automobile batteries cornering at high speed the effect seems to be minimal. I don't pretend to delve in marine battery design but have seen different boats with batteries aligned in different directions and no practical problems have been noticed. If there is a difference in battery longevity which I would not doubt there might be it may seem to be minor as not to make me change the way mine are installed.
whichever way they fit best. The temporary uncovering of a small portion of the plates seems to have minimal consequences in boat batteries. Even in automobile batteries cornering at high speed the effect seems to be minimal. I don't pretend to delve in marine battery design but have seen different boats with batteries aligned in different directions and no practical problems have been noticed. If there is a difference in battery longevity which I would not doubt there might be it may seem to be minor as not to make me change the way mine are installed.
Theoretically, a very good question,
however, I don't believe that there is that much space above the plates to the underside of the tops of the battery case, or, if there is, it should be filled with fluid, so that the "sloshing around" of the liquid electrolyte is much less than depicted in the sketch. If the electrolyte level is much higher than shown, the "air space" would be much less, with no portion of the plates uncovered even at an excessive amount heel. Great question, though.
however, I don't believe that there is that much space above the plates to the underside of the tops of the battery case, or, if there is, it should be filled with fluid, so that the "sloshing around" of the liquid electrolyte is much less than depicted in the sketch. If the electrolyte level is much higher than shown, the "air space" would be much less, with no portion of the plates uncovered even at an excessive amount heel. Great question, though.
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