The box’s lid slightly overlaps the box so that you run less risk of rain dripping on your battery and it has a circuit breaker inside of the box as well. It is made with durable, hard plastic and allows you to test your battery’s remaining power with the touch of a button. It includes everything you need to mount it securely, even a battery strap. This marine battery box has a power socket for 12 volt utility. Our List Of The Best Marine Battery Boxes Shoreline Marine Battery Box Power Station These boxes each have qualities that will set them apart from one another and they are all worthy of consideration. Many will be surprised there there are now even smart battery boxes. For those who are questioning this aspect, below, you will find some of the highest rated boxes for your boat. Some may feel that they are not very attractive on a boat. You should check with the state and/or your boat’s manufacturer to find out if a double wall will suffice. If you do not want marine battery boxes on your boat, you may be able to get away with a double walled battery. As a general rule of thumb, if you have a commercial boat, a battery that sits near electronics, batteries located in a small cabin, OR any type of boat that may have multiple batteries you will likely need an approved battery box or marine battery tray. In fact some areas may even require them. Should You Use a Marine Battery Box?īattery boxes are a good choice for any boat. You still may want to consider a box for them though as a double layer of protection. With that being said sealed batteries are still usable indoors and you do not have to worry as much about flooding the area with toxic, flammable gases.
However, a lot of sealed batteries still have a vent on them to let gases out so that it does not become a hazard. This will ensure you do not have any type of fumes building up in the cabin of your boat or in your garage at home while you are charging your batteries.Ī sealed battery may sound like it is completely leak proof and in some cases it may be true. The gas is lighter than air so it will rise if there is a vent. It smells a lot like rotten eggs, so you will know that it is present, but you should strive to avoid spending time near it. It may also emit hydrogen sulfide, which is very poisonous if inhaled and highly flammable. Overcharging can result in hydrogen gas being emitted and if the concentration of it becomes 4%, it could become very explosive. Lead acid batteries are the most susceptible, so if you do not have a battery box when you are charging a lead acid battery, you should be very careful. Most often, the gas is formed when you overcharge a battery. Hydrogen is the gas that batteries put off and all deep cycle or batteries on a high charge will emit it. The extra wall will protect the battery from damage and prevent gases from becoming a concern. The only time that you really may not need to have a battery box is if you have a double-walled battery on your boat. The box will have many features that protect the battery and your boat, not to mention the fact that they provide a safe vent to divert the gases that may be produced by your battery during recharges. The answer is you may not need to, but it is always good boating practice to use one.
Yet still people question whether they really need one if they plan to use a sealed battery. There is also sulfuric acid in these batteries which can be very corrosive. Lead is a very toxic metal that can be absorbed by your body and the environment.
Lead acid batteries should be used with a box to prevent acid from spilling out into your boat if the battery becomes damaged. Most all battery boxes contain the battery so that it is not able to shift position by more than one inch in all directions, which prevents it from becoming damaged, even if tipped over. It contains the battery so that terminals cannot come into contact with other metal objects. Battery Box Comparison Chart Brandīeyond diverting potential gases, they contain possible electrolyte leaks or spills that may come from a damaged battery case. This is one of the main reasons they are gaining popularity on boats that have trolling motors. If you have a battery near your fuel tank, that could also pose a problem if you do not have your battery covered. A battery box forms a seal around the battery and directs potential gases away. This is true even if a battery maintains a high charge. If you have a deep cycle marine battery on board, it may give off a gas while running and charging. This serves as a protection mechanism not only for the battery, but those on board. One of the main reasons people use battery boxes is due to the requirement by ABYC Standards in many cases. A battery box keeps battery acid from potentially spilling out.