[Public-List] Marine Survey

[Mike Lehman]

Thanks Jim, 
 
Okay then, here is the offical word - but it just says the batteries have to be secured and you MAY use a box...
 
183.420 - Batteries
(a) Each installed battery must not move more than one inch in any direction when a pulling force of 90 pounds or twice the battery weight, whichever is less, is applied through the center of gravity of the battery as follows:
 

(1) Vertically for a duration of one minute.
(2) Horizontally and parallel to the boat’s center line for a duration of one minute fore and one minute aft.
(3) Horizontally and perpendicular to the boat’s center line for a duration of one minute to starboard and one minute to port.

If a battery was allowed to reposition itself indiscriminately at the will of the forces that occur when a vessel (especially smaller boats with quicker motion) is operated in waves, or while being transported over land with its battery installed, the battery could become damaged. If the battery casing ruptures, the electrolyte may run out. If a battery terminal loosens, poor contact or sparking could occur. The electrolyte is usually sulfuric acid which can severely attack many metals and other materials. Such attack on fuel system components has the potential of causing fuel lines and fittings to fail and leak fuel. Movement of a battery could cause the battery terminal to come in contact with grounded items, resulting in sparking.
Therefore, the regulation calls for restraint of the battery in the horizontal and vertical directions. A battery as installed by a manufacturer may not move more than one inch when subjected to a test force for a one minute duration in each of three directions: vertical, horizontal - fore and aft, and horizontal - port and starboard. The test force selected is 90 pounds, which is approximately twice the weight of the popular size of marine battery used in small boats, which may be subject to high accelerations. For this reason, 90 pounds was selected as the maximum that needed to be applied. For batteries weighing less than 45 pounds, a force of twice the battery weight is specified. This test force is to be applied through the center of gravity of the battery.
The commercially available plastic battery boxes may be used to install a battery; however, it may be necessary to provide means within the battery box to prevent excess movement of the battery. The materials used for restraining battery movement within a battery box should be selected with regard to potential deterioration by the electrolyte. The battery box must be fastened in such a manner that the battery installation will comply with this section of the regulation.
It is recommended that the use of materials to wedge the battery in a battery box be described in the boat’s owners manual to affirm its intended use.

 
Mike Lehman 

 
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