Building A Battery Box For AGMs

[George DuBose]

Skylark uses racing boat battery trays and tiedowns to hold her 5 AGM batteries. I wasn't so concerned about ventilation, rather I wanted to be sure that the batteries can't move in a knockdown or roll over.

I forget the manufacturer, but these are shallow stainless steel trays and all the parts are stainless.

Something like these...
https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...1201/overview/

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by hzcruiser

My old lead acid (LA) and the newer AGMs are touching, even slightly compressed by the straps and hold-down bar I'm using. However, if you're really concerned about heat build-up and really think ventilation is crucial to prevent some sort of over heating, you cannot have them touch and also might want to install a thermometer with an alarm to let you know something is wrong.

Thanks. I don't have boxes now, just trays/hold-downs, and I'm not hard over on needing boxes anyway. If I do go that route, I wonder if a small strip of Starboard or some such between batts in a box would be useful...

-Chris

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

If batteries are in a box, is it OK if they're so close they're touching?

I'm considering a couple of Noco commercial boxes for two pairs of 6V AGMs. https://no.co/hm426

Internal dimensions make it look like Lifeline GPL-4CTs (for example) would be a snug fit.

-Chris

I honestly think those boxes are a waste of money, particularly for AGMs. They're expensive, take up extra space, and prevent easy visual inspection of your batteries. You'd be better off building something yourself that suits your specific installation.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

If batteries are in a box, is it OK if they're so close they're touching?



I'm considering a couple of Noco commercial boxes for two pairs of 6V AGMs. https://no.co/hm426



Internal dimensions make it look like Lifeline GPL-4CTs (for example) would be a snug fit.



-Chris

In my opinion you don't need boxes, I have those batteries myself.
But ideally you want some space for air circulation, but honestly being well insulated in a plastic box, I'm not so sure how well batteries cool off anyway.