Batteries in engine compartment (petrol) - bad idea?

[zapcat]

I have twin v8 petrol engines, and new wiring for a battery for each engine in the same compartment that was done before I bought the boat. I wouldn't have done this, but is it ok, or should I move them to a different location outside the engine compartment.

Thanks for any opinions

 

[alruss]

Why do you think this is wrong?

 

[Prospect and Sunray]

Can't see a problem. The sunray has a v8 petrol and the two batteries are in the engine bay, not had any issues at all.

 

[zapcat]

Temptation down the line to attach jump leads & create a spark I guess - also another Triana has them in a separate locker - bilge blowers I have just bought are ignition protected which got me thinking

 

[alruss]

My petrol boat has two engines and two batteries in engine compartment and made it to 46 yrs old. Jump start connect to boat battery first, no spark.

 

[zapcat]

Thanks for that, good enough for me!

 

[OAF]

The batteries should be in boxes with lids on.
All chandlers sell them, just lift battery up, screw plastic box down and resecure battery.

Unless of course you already have battery boxes.

They are dangerous without and wouldnt be allowed on inland waters because they are considered too dangerous.

I was just about to say the same get them in a box securely fixed down with a strap over the top of the lid, belt and braces approach when it comes to stuff like that.

 

[Peterjfinch]

Temptation down the line to attach jump leads & create a spark I guess - also another Triana has them in a separate locker - bilge blowers I have just bought are ignition protected which got me thinking

Maybe something like the image, connected to + and - of the battery and mounted outside the engine compartment?

 

[Searush]

PeterJfinch has just pm'd me a reply to this thread as he is "Under moderation" as a newby & is very frustrated he cannot contribute.

I am trying to post and keep getting the message that my post must be checked by a moderator. I have sent 2 "Contact us" messages about this but nothing returned.

Do you know how I can contact them?

If not, I suggested, in reply to the thread "Batteries in engine compartment (petrol) - bad idea? ", suggesting he could use something like the image here, mounted outside the engine compartment.

Hope that helps & welcome to the forum, Peter, if only as a "Quote"

 

[Peterjfinch]

I can see the contents of the quote

 

[paultallett]

Very odd searush, can you see the quote ?

All I see is a blank quote box , must have been edited out

Can anyone else see what it says ?

I can see the quote and link Daka.

 

[MapisM]

The batteries should be in boxes with lids on.

Why exactly?
I've seen 100mph+ boats, twin supercharged big blocks, with batteries in the engine compartment.
The only problem is to use STRONG (rather than sealed) battery boxes, and good quality batteries.
The plastic battery boxes with lids which most chandlers stock are nothing more than a joke, and wouldn't seal the battery at all, anyway.

 

[MapisM]

in my opinion anyone who ignores a known safety feature is crazy.

Fine, we share the same opinion, I reckon.
That's exactly why I asked what the safety feature actually is.
If the plastic battery boxes with a lid and a funny nylon strap which you find in most chandlers meet BSS standards, it doestn't mean that they are better than a proper billet alu box, it means that BSS standards are stupid.

PS: re. your last question, I can't see why you should assume that I wouldn't take care of not shortcircuiting a battery

 

[paultallett]

just as a side issue how many times have you rested your spanner/socket wrench on top of the battery ?

Never...... as I quite like to keep myself and the family alive!! Infact I'm anal about not letting stray spanners and battery terminals mixing!!

But on the subject of the battery box thing. When I bought our boat, we moved her on to the Thames as George wasn't even 1 and SWMBO wanted to get to know the boat in calmer waters. Now to get through my BSS cert, I only needed to cover the battery terminals, not fully enclose them.

Even though I'm on the sea now, I still keep the terminal covers in place as a safety thing.

 

[MapisM]

Daka, perleeeease!

You said that "the batteries should be in boxes with lids on", I asked why and you replied 'cause BSS say so.
And now you're saying it's to cover exposed terminals, for whose protection a battery box with a lid on is totally unnecessary? C'mon...

 

[piratos]

You said that "the batteries should be in boxes with lids on", I asked why and you replied 'cause BSS say so.
And now you're saying it's to cover exposed terminals, for whose protection a battery box with a lid on is totally unnecessary? C'mon...

Maybe I have misunderstood something. The question was whether the batteries could be together with the Gasolin engines....
I beleive his concern was more the 'gases' from the battery than any fool (like myself) dropping tools on the Battery ??

 

[GrahamHR]

My two batteries are in the engine compartment. Not in battery boxes, but extremely well secured to screwed down battery trays. The terminals, both negative and positive, are fitted with covers that fully hide the terminals

It's an American boat, I'd imagine with their USCG regulations and litigation for injury being what it is there, that if battery boxes were an esential safety requirement it would have them fitted.

The batteries are situated just under a two vents; 3" and 4" diameter. I don't suppose that with hydrogen being lighter than air, the bilge blower with it's inlet in the bilge would be any use in getting rid of any hydrogen.

 

[DAKA]

You said that "the batteries should be in boxes with lids on", I asked why and you replied 'cause BSS say so.
And now you're saying it's to cover exposed terminals, for whose protection a battery box with a lid on is totally unnecessary? C'mon...

Perhaps you can read this and report back on your findings.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...sg=AFQjCNEJhQmDuumUBZ5j-KzfvTk7yk19yw&cad=rja

I think someone mentioned rubber terminal covers above which appear to be acceptable.

A box is required if the batteries are close to the engine and or fuel,( I sort of assume that to be the case with a sports boat with twin petrols.)

You appear to have set out to have an argument with me but I really dont feel strongly enough to accept your challenge.

I just expressed my personal opinion take it or leave it.

I used to have a petrol boat, following a petrol explosion I accept I am possibly more cautious than someone with a petrol boat that hasnt had a fire .......yet.



All posts bar this one deleted, happy now or would you like me to delete this one too

 

[MapisM]

You appear to have set out to have an argument with me but I really dont feel strongly enough to accept your challenge.
...
All posts bar this one deleted, happy now or would you like me to delete this one too

I made you a simple question, because I felt you were suggesting the OP a (poor) solution to a problem that doesn't exist, that's all.
Incidentally, I equally disagree with OAF who suggested that a "box securely fixed down with a strap over the top of the lid" is a "belt and braces approach", because the only boxes with lid and strap I've ever seen are the plastic ones sold in most chandlers, which imho are junk.

Anyway, I can't understand why you perceived the above as a wish to set out an argument with yourself for the sake of it, but if that's the impression I gave, I can assure you that it wasn't my intention.
I also don't see why you deleted your previous posts: fwiw, none of them made me unhappy, so I'm afraid I can't be happier now anyway...

 

[DAKA]

Anyway, I can't understand why you perceived the above as a wish to set out an argument with yourself for the sake of it, but if that's the impression I gave, I can assure you that it wasn't my intention.
I also don't see you deleted post

It was the red down thumb which I had only previously known to be used by the Romans signalling "death to the individual" which had me thinking you were getting annoyed , I wasn't sure of your age/health so thought I best back off.

I deleted my posts as they seemed to upset you.

The plastic Tupperware boxes screw down but the strength is from the strap that is secured to the boat not the Tupperware box.