I need a lift

[All U Get]

Hi all,

I need to lift a 8D battery [140 lbs.] out of its box to repair the box and of course its in a spot where it would be hard to get at. Have any of you installed a bow eye over your batteries for a lifting point. They appear to have a good working strength.

 

[capta]

Instead of an eye, consider an I-beam. It will spread the load better and allow some movement or adjustment. However, a local mechanic may have a small portable A-frame he may loan or rent you for a day or two, and that might be a better option.

 

[jibes138]

How about putting in a jib sheet track with a block and tackle attached to a car then you can lift the battery and slide it to a position where you can handle it more easily. Like the I-beam idea but with parts already made for such a task.

 

[All U Get]

How about putting in a jib sheet track with a block and tackle attached to a car then you can lift the battery and slide it to a position where you can handle it more easily. Like the I-beam idea but with parts already made for such a task.

Instead of an eye, consider an I-beam. It will spread the load better and allow some movement or adjustment. However, a local mechanic may have a small portable A-frame he may loan or rent you for a day or two, and that might be a better option.

I have a three inch pipe and materials for the A-frame but the lift area is cluttered with systems that could have been neatly built to the side of the engine room.

I'm thinking a 4;1 block to lift with and a single change of direction block right above the battery would give me enough lifting room to get a board under it and slide the battery out the engine room door. The only other flies in the ointment are the filters and solar controllers that stick out from the bulkhead wall.

 

[CaptKimble]

I used my main halyard with strategically placed blocks to lift my two 8D's out from under my galley floor. I then replaced them with 6Volt batteries I can easily lift by myself. Plus it gave me additional amp/hours....that's my 2 cents worth

 

[Bob J.]

Sounds like a job for a young person that still has an intact back. My daughters boyfriend helped me get 4 Trojan 1275's into place for my propulsion bank.
They only weigh 100 pounds+-. each.

Truth be told at this point in my life I couldn't do it without help.
Funny thing about having back surgery, you figure out your limitations.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Maybe you could put a deflated basketball under the battery and use a bicycle pump to lift it the next time. Just spitballing an idea that just occurred to me.
Pictures of your situation would help.
My first thought was making the near end of your battery box removable, since you are working on it anyhow.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[capta]

I have a three inch pipe and materials for the A-frame but the lift area is cluttered with systems that could have been neatly built to the side of the engine room.

I'm thinking a 4;1 block to lift with and a single change of direction block right above the battery would give me enough lifting room to get a board under it and slide the battery out the engine room door. The only other flies in the ointment are the filters and solar controllers that stick out from the bulkhead wall.

I should think a 1" pipe A-frame would be sufficient for your battery. Maybe a bit more for the lifting arm.
A picture or two would be especially interesting to me. I thought our 3 boxes for 4D batteries was stock, as they are so convenient and well placed.
In case you others don't understand, All U Get & Skipping Stone are sister ships.

 

[All U Get]

With the bow eye secured to the cockpit locker we were able to run a 5:1 through the engine room to the batteries. Once we got them up we replaced the dyneema loop for a bowline and muscled them out of the way

.

 

[jssailem]

Reasons I chose a 12V battery bank.

1. They are 65 lbs a piece. I can lift the battery in and out of the boat.
   
2. They are true deep cycle (700 cycle battery) with thick plates (12V battery Plate Thickness:.095" / .070" as compared to 6V battery Plate Thickness:.105" / .085" while Automotive batteries typically have plates about .040").
   
3. Provide AMP 20Hr Capacity:135.
   
4. I bought 2 that fit my boat space. Each is 12 V so if one goes bad I still have a 12V system in the other battery.

 

[capta]

Amazing. Those boxes (do you have 3?) look identical to ours which are obviously smaller as they hold 4d's perfectly. The diamond plate floor is a nice touch.

 

[All U Get]

That’s part of a cover for power take off on the front of the engine that runs the hydraulic bow thruster.