If a storage battery aboard a boat tips over in rough seas, the cables could tear loose, a dangerous situation if the battery is used to start the auxiliary engine. Or, even worse, the battery’s terminals might short out against nearby metal objects and start a fire. For safety, there are a number of important requirements for installing batteries aboard a boat. A battery should be installed in a battery box that has a tight-fitting lid to prevent metal objects from shorting the battery terminals. The box’s lid should be vented to allow hydrogen gas, a by-product of charging, to escape. The box should restrain the battery from moving more than 1 inch in any direction and be lined with a material that is impervious to battery acid. And, the box must allow the battery to be placed so that it is convenient to measure cell condition with a hydrometer. To construct a safe and convenient battery box that could be stored under the cockpit seat locker next to the cockpit or cabin bulkhead, follow these steps.
HOME PAGE
