How important are battery boxes in FG boats?

[kiwicraig]

I have 2  batteries in my boat, both housed in battery boxes that are strapped in place under the rear seats - one port and one starboard.  

The problem I have is starboard one sits a little further towards the centre because of the throttle and steering cable running down the starboard side of the boat.  This causes the battery box to slightly overhang the recessed section of floor.  When the boat is rocking side to side that battery box has a habit of sliding out from under the strap and sliding around on the end of its cables.  

If I had an alloy boat then the battery box would be a no brainer due to the risk of the corrosion a stray current can cause.  But I am wondering if on my FG boat they are more trouble than they are worth?  Would I be better off fitting one of the trays with the metal shackle that secures it like in a car?  In its location I would be reasonably protected from the elements but I would assume that some spray may get through.  I am just not sure how much of an issue that would be.  Thoughts?

[antonywardle]

I have the strap down ones in my boat. Battery box would be too hard to install in the position I have the batteries in. The strap down ones are hard enough as it is. Mine is also an FG boat. Battery boxes were quite expensive when I started looking. 

 

I should also add, that my batterys sit on "shelves" under cover so for them to get drowned would mean I'd have about 20cm of water in the bottom of the boat

Edited October 18, 2018 by antonywardle

[zmk1962]

@kiwicraig  I had an experience in my 16ft FG boat where we took some waves over the side in rough water and had 6-8inch swilling around our feet in the hull. I believe that if I didn't have my battery in a battery box that day both my wife and I would not be here. I don't know what happens to a marine lead acid battery when its submerged in salt water but I can imagine it can't end well. If we'd lost power that day we'd have been at the mercy of the seas -  dead in the water - literally.

Agree, having a battery box, complicates things like access to the batteries to charge then, so you need to think about how to handle that.

Regarding battery overhanging the bilge well, I had exactly the same problem in my Haines. I fixed it by installing a formply base under the battery as per this diagram... 

I described my whole set up in this earlier thread that Bear started (the overhang and charging solution is covered) ... 

Use what you can from that discussion - hope it helps.

Cheers

Zoran

Edited October 18, 2018 by zmk1962

[kiwicraig]

2 hours ago, zmk1962 said:

@kiwicraig  I had an experience in my 16ft FG boat where we took some waves over the side in rough water and had 6-8inch swilling around our feet in the hull. I believe that if I didn't have my battery in a battery box that day both my wife and I would not be here. I don't know what happens to a marine lead acid battery when its submerged in salt water but I can imagine it can't end well. If we'd lost power that day we'd have been at the mercy of the seas -  dead in the water - literally.

Agree, having a battery box, complicates things like access to the batteries to charge then, so you need to think about how to handle that.

Regarding battery overhanging the bilge well, I had exactly the same problem in my Haines. I fixed it by installing a formply base under the battery as per this diagram... 

I described my whole set up in this earlier thread that Bear started (the overhang and charging solution is covered) ... 

Use what you can from that discussion - hope it helps.

Cheers

Zoran

Great thanks. I'll have a read.