[alberg30] Battery Boxes - Why?

[Robert Kirk]

From: Robert Kirk <kirk at neptune.gsfc.nasa.gov>

At 10:29 AM 09-02-00 -0500, Michael Grosh wrote:

>I can fit two large batteries in the 2nd most forward bilge compartment-I
>make an attempt to keep weight forward on the Alberg-it takes some
>maneuvering to get them through the hatch, but plenty of room once in. I use
>nylon webbing screwed to the bottom of the compartment(battery sitting on
>the webbing) On my boat the bottom (ceiling?) appears to be glassed over
>plywood.  Backpacking equipment uses a new (for me) type of plastic buckle;
>snap release, and is adjustable. That would be a big improvement over the
>nasty, rusted metal buckle I am now using. I have given up on using battery
>boxes down there,I have found the boxes collect more stuff (including, on
>occasion, bilge water) to keep next to the battery then just having them
>accessible as is.

That sounds exactly my setup: Batteries in plastic boxes, held fast with
webbing and buckles.  You make me think - why the  boxes in the first
place?  It seems if you can hold the battery down securely, by itself,
there is no need for a box.  My car battery isn't in a box, why should my
boat's? 

Keep dirt out? Contain electrolyte spills? Pretty weak, I think. Is there
something I'm forgetting?  I think I'll follow Michael's lead and toss them.

While I'm at it, I need to fasten the straps more securely than the wood
screw thru the webbing into the fiberglass floor. It doesn't slide, but
would never handle a knockdown. But then, it probably isn't going anyplace
in the battery compartment, anyway.

Bob Kirk
Isobar #181


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