Lead-Acid Battery stowage

[blackbeard]

In the process of finding space for yet another battery on a 25' boat (British Hunter 245). This would give 2 batteries each of about 80 Ah for the increasing number of electrical toys plus a smaller 40 Ah (440 A) engine start battery.

Space is a bit tight and it would be easier (and give a more robust fixing to stop battery moving) if this doesn't incorporate at plastic drip tray to catch any acid which slops out of the battery. But without the tray the acid would go straight into the (usually dry) bilge and thus in contact with the inside of the fibreglass hull.
But I have never seen any acid slop from a battery. And I don't know what effect it would have on the hull.
I think I might be pushing my luck in fitting a vented flooded lead-acid battery without a tray. But would a sealed battery be OK without a drip tray?

 

[VicS]

No problems with the grp.
It's resistant to dilute acids

But acid spillage into the bilges is a PITA. If not careful it will get onto things not so resistant.

A spot on your clothes will lead to a hole.

Battery cases can develop leaks as i have discovered this year

 

[pvb]

But would a sealed battery be OK without a drip tray?

Yes, fine. Mine are just in wooden boxes. There's no leakage.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Have you considered cutting off the handles on the plastic boxes? Could save some space.

 

[RAI]

Stand the batteries on a cloth soaked in a strong solution of bi-carbonate of soda. It will neutralize small spillages.

Use an Odyssey TPPL battery as a starter battery. It can be tiny, is AGM (no leaks) and leave space for a bigger domestic battery.