Batteries without a battery box?

[smac999]

I have seen many battery boxes with 1/2” to 1” of battery acid in the bottom. They all leak / overflow while charging.

I have also seen a few exploded batteries with the case split open.

Fla batteries all need to be in a box. And I would highly recommend boxes for all sealed ones too. If not just to protect all the posts.

[lockie]

Another good reason for boxes is to cover the terminals lest any conducting objects fall across them. Just imagine, loose spanner, rough passage, shorts across terminals, possible very nasty damage.

[CharlieJ]

At the end of the day, IYB.

[ranger58sb]

I think trays, hold-downs for each battery, and a rubber boot over each positive terminal would be sufficient. Haven't looked for the citation about that, though...

-Chris

[CharlieJ]

Acid resistant boxes capable of containing the contents of a FLA’s electrolyte volume just make good sense. Battery cases fail and the electrolyte is dangerously corrosive. The more common problem is that many people overfill the FLA battery cells and when the electrolyte heats up during charging, acid leaves through the cell caps.

Why would anybody object to the sensible position of providing a reservoir to capture catastrophic or incidental spillage?

I have removed many, many plywood battery boxes and their supporting structure that have suffered acid attack that has destroyed the wood.

So, ranger42c #19; based on a lot of experience, your recommendation is valid for AGM, GEL or any immobilized electrolyte, but is invalid for FLA.

[Capt.Don]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

I think trays, hold-downs for each battery, and a rubber boot over each positive terminal would be sufficient. Haven't looked for the citation about that, though...

-Chris

Yes -- I went through this last year with my surveryor and insurance company. Surveryor recommended box, though box wouldn't fit. The ABYC recommendations are tray + terminal covers -or- enclosed box. I installed tray + boots and signed off on the compliance form w/picture and ABYC language.

The irony of all this is I have sealed AGMs..... Probably this year's hot surveryor topic.

Don

[CharlieJ]

Capt. Don #21: Absolutely correct and compliant for AGM batteries.

The OP has FLA batteries and his installation requires an electrolyte resistant box and securing means.

[Capt.Don]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

Capt. Don #21: Absolutely correct and compliant for AGM batteries.

The OP has FLA batteries and his installation requires an electrolyte resistant box and securing means.

Charlie - thanks -- I missed the FLA.

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

I think trays, hold-downs for each battery, and a rubber boot over each positive terminal would be sufficient. Haven't looked for the citation about that.

that's what I have. survey and insurance had zero problems with it.

[Cheechako]

My FLA have seldom been in much of a box. More of a tray sometimes. Never been an issue.
I never have figured out what those commercial black plastic boxes offer..? They are not air tight, so hydrogen gas would be an issue either way.
Most large banks are in places where a box, especially a lidded one, may be too cumbersome when time to check the water etc. Behind the engine, under a 1/4 berth, etc.

[CharlieJ]

@Gonesail #24
If this was the arrangement with FLA batteries installed, then your surveyor missed a very obvious discrepancy. And if the surveyor missed the discrepancy, your insurance was blind to it so it is incorrect to state that they had "...zero problems with it."

@Cheechako #25
Proper commercial battery boxes have vents in the top so that hydrogen does not accumulate in the pocket that the top creates which could cause an explosive hazard.

And you won't have an issue with electrolyte straying from inside the battery until you do. And then it won't be pretty.

Most large banks are in places where a box, especially a lidded one, may be too cumbersome when time to check the water etc. Behind the engine, under a 1/4 berth, etc.

As a professor I once had told us, don't make SUGs, Sweeping Unsupported Generalizations. Yes, there are battery banks that have been installed without any thought into maintenance but "Most"? Not in my 20+ years of marine electrical experience.

[meirriba]

Simply:
Avoid leakage - fixed tray will do (with adequate height of fiddles.
Avoid movement - secure by straps, connected to safe anchor points.
Height of placement - two contrary issues. Higher to avoid seawater flooding. Lower, to have lower centre of weight.

[sailorboy1]

Boes ABYC acturally say that sealed batteries don't have to be in boxes or in a tray?????

[CharlieJ]

@sailorboy1
No, the ABYC Standards do not require a battery box per se. What is required is a method to collect the electrolyte that is acid resistant. Unless the "trays" that are being discussed have a volume that has been calculated to capture all of the electrolyte from a burst FLA then they are not compliant. See the attachment.

As always, IYB.

[George DuBose]

When rebuilding Skylark and planning to cross oceans, I have tried to prepare her for a knockdown or rollover.

I chose Optima spiral wound for the sole reason that they were sealed.

I installed them with stainless steel racing boat trays and lockdown bars across the tops. I cover all the terminals and cable connections with purpose built rubber covers.

The PO just had two series 28 batteries sitting on a shelf with no battery box, no tiedown and the "shelf" wasn't even laminated to the hull.

We recently replaced three of the 12 year old Yellow Tops with Full River AGMs. I hope to see how they hold up. I still have two 12 year old Optima Yellow Tops for the engine start and windlass. I don't know why they are lasting so long. The house bank had been flatten a few times over the years, maybe that's why they only lasted 12 years?

OyOyOy!!!