Battery storage and boxes

[Stephen K]

My Catalina 30 has a seperate fiberglass "battery compartment". In it there are two group 24 batteries, each in its own plastic battery box. The compartment has seperate tie down straps for each battery.

Do I need to use (should I use) the plastic battery box inside this compartment? What's the risk of not using the plastic box? The reason I ask is, if these are not needed, I could fit two group 27 batteries...and the extra amp hours would be nice. I would still use the tie down straps.

My current batteries are shot and I apreciate the input.

 

[Rob19574]

Stephen - you should be fine with no box. I would go with at least 2 27's assuming you need the extra power. I removed the fiberglass lining altogether and fit 2 group 31's in the same place in separate boxes. I had to do some modifications to fit them but it did work.

- Rob

 

[Stu Jackson]

You should use the boxes. If the batteries leak, for any reason, you'd rather have the acid in the box than on your fiberglass.

If the batteries you want can't fit, then rearrange the space as Rob did, or buy a third battery and stick it somewhere else. The third battery, BTW, will most likely give you more than the additional amp hours than two slightly larger ones will. Do the math.

 

[Stephen K]

Stu,
That makes sense. I'll stick with the group 24 and use the boxes. I did find a group 24 marine deep cycle at Wallmart (made by Johnson Controls) with 105 amp hours (vs the standard one with 75 amp hours)...this is actually pretty close to the group 27 at 115 amp hours. That sould take care of what I power I need.