How to Properly Secure a Boat Battery

Learn how to correctly install a battery box on your boat. Sign up for the PYS Newsletter: confirmsubscription.com/h/r/2...
Jeff Cote is a systems design expert and owner of Pacific Yacht Systems, a full service shop delivering marine electrical and navigation solutions for recreational boats. Visit the PYS website and blog for info and articles on marine electrical systems, projects and testimonials.
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[@nelmsgraham3384]

Although you didn't elaborate on securing the battery inside the box, using your suggested method it seem that it would allow a great amount of movement of the battery inside the box itself, movement that could damage the box and the battery. I would rather purchase a battery box with external protrusions for fastening, the box to the base material, then use pass thru straps to hold battery down into the box. Subsequently, a perfect battery box to me, would have both external protrusions on the base for mounting the box to the base material and then have reinforced slots for pass thru restraining straps, at multiple heights and on all four sides of the box, in order to accommodate different size batteries and battery post orientations. The reinforced slots could be produced to be a "Knock out" type, so that the only slots needed would be knocked out or "Opened".

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Nelms, I'd be your first customer. Unfortunately, not aware of such battery box in my deck of the woods.

[@andre-pierreghys2156]

Good video, too bad you can't show a battery box installed on a real boat, it would add a lot to the explanation. In any case I will have to review my electrical installation at the end of the winter. Continue this nice video where you show us the good things to do.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good idea. We want to start filming more aboard the boats we have the privilege of working on.

[@rfenton19851]

I just bought some 4D batteries and Noco boxes with screw hold down on each corner so you don't have to screw through the bottom (yes screw, I have no access below to through-bolt). According to Noco these meet the USCG requirements. I was still going to add some sort of blocking on each side and then strap the whole box down. Am I going overboard?

[@Maurice_Montana]

Hi Jeff, love your videos they are so informative! I have a question, If you find a nice battery box installation which is not tied down but secured from lateral movement on a powerboat, do you generally recommend that they tie the lid down with a nice strap like the one in the video, or just leave them alone on it as the chance of capsizing is less on a power boat vs a sailboat? They way I read the ABYC standard, the box should be tied down. Thank you very much in advance for any insight you might have.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Jeff, even on powerboats, we always install heavy duty straps to properly secure the batteries in place, even when secured from lateral motion by some edges.

[@Maurice_Montana]

@@PacificYachtSystems Thank you very much Jeff.

[@mrdean2768]

Great video. where can i buy batter boxes like this one? I can not find anywhere.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi Dean, we get those battery boxes from a local battery distributor here in the Pacific Northwest.

[@markkellr]

What do you think about ventilation ? Gassing even for agm in overvoltage.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

In an ideal world, you'd have good venting to the outside. Realistically, this rarely happens.

[@vk5jajay147]

How do you install the "Pad eyes" into the boat, without drilling holes through the floor?? 🤔

[@bbtechbbtech]

Dude, the are drilled to the floor on the outside of the box.....he was pretty clear on that.

[@nigelbutlerr7294]

thanks. even a Bavaria 49 , has no battery boxes !

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Sadly, all too common.

[@davewoods5138]

How are the batteries secured inside the battery box?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Really depends, some battery boxes have stoppers or even bars on top that stop the batteries from moving up and down. Sometimes, we use starboard within the battery box to limit the motion of the batteries. We also commonly use heavy duty cargo straps to hold down the battery box and batteries.