Question On Battery Box Containment

[Joe Mullee]

Last year I moved the AGM batteries on my 1983 Hunter 34 from the cockpit lazarette to inside my cabin under one of the setee's. Basically they are in an enclosed space (which I vented), strapped tightly down in place, and sit next to my water heater. Since they are in an enclosed space should they still be battery boxes?

Thanks for any advice,

Joe Mullee

 

[Snotter]

The battery boxes are designed to catch the acid from your batteries. Acid loves to eat plywood by desolving the glue. Moreover, the glu residual (formaldahyde I believe) stains fiberglass and makes it difficult to glass to. The stuff gets on the bottom of shoes and bare feet and stains carpets. If you sit on the stuff while working on your boat you run a big risk of staining your upholstery.

 

[Maine Sail]

ABYC E-10 Storage Batteries

"10.7 INSTALLATION

10.7.1 Battery mounting materials and surfaces shall withstand electrolyte attack.

10.7.2 Provision shall be made to contain incidental leakage and spillage of electrolyte.

10.7.3 Fasteners for the attachment of battery boxes or trays shall be isolated from areas intended to collect spilled electrolyte."

 

[Marc Bergmueller]

One off the small problems with the boat I have under contract is they ran screws thru the bottom off the battery box into the plywood floor of the lazarette. Damage is limited so far to about a dime sized area around the screws,(they pulled right out). I hope to hole saw them out an epoxy the holes.

 

[Joe Mullee]

Follow Up Questions

Thanks for the quick replies. I have some follow ups:

-- Can AGM's and Gels leak? What would cause that to happen?
-- Why is it not adviseable to use wing nuts?
-- Is there any space requirements between batteries?

Thanks again.

 

[Ed A]

battery boxes also provide an easy way to secure the battery to the boat. if you roll out and broach you dont want the batteries to be flyling around the boat. they can really hurt and do alot of damage.

 

[Scott B]

Thanks for the quick replies. I have some follow ups:

-- Why is it not adviseable to use wing nuts?

Thanks again.

From West Marine

Wing Nut Battery Terminals

Until recently, most marine starting and deep cycle batteries (including our batteries made by East Penn Manufacturing) have included wing nut battery terminals. If you own batteries with wing nuts, we advise you to replace them with nylock hex nuts. Here's why.
In 2006 the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) boating safety standards organization published new recommended practices for the selection, location, installation, and wiring of storage batteries, including this requirement:
E-10.8.3: Battery cables and other conductors size 6 AWG and larger shall not be connected to the battery with wing nuts.
They made this change because wing nuts have the possibility of working loose due to the vibration of stiff battery cables while a boat is in operation. Loose cables create resistance and heat, with potential for overheated wires and possible fire.

 

[Joe Mullee]

"Nylon Hex Nuts"

Thanks Scott. Nylon hex nuts it is!!

 

[sstringer1]

Clarification re/style of hex nut and AGM leakage

Thanks Scott. Nylon hex nuts it is!!

Just a note ro clarify that there is an important difference between NYLON hex nuts and NYLOCK hex nuts.

Nuts made from nylon should not be used in this application - they simply don't have the strength required nor provide adaquate connection to the battery for electron flow.

Nylock nuts are made of steel and SS (various types available) and have a nylon locking feature that will prevent them from backing off under normal loads, but can be removed for servicing.

With regard to Advance Glass Mat batteries leaking, it's my experience that they do not leak. For that reason that are used in armored turrets on military vehicles such as MRAP's, MATV's and Armored HMMWV's that are equipped with a battery powered motorized turret. Bullets/etc will pass through but fluid will not leak. None the less it is important for them to be secured properly as was mentioned in an earlier post.

Hope that helps.