Battery Covers

[wchevron]

how important are the battery box covers. the p.o. didn't have covers on the group 24 batteries. i'm increasing the size to 27's and the space is getting pretty tight. i've already had to cut out the existing plywood support holding the batteries to get the new ones in. the batteries are only about 12" away from the engine, in the same compartment. from what i've read this isn't the best situation but they have been this way for 30 years so i figured i more year would be okay until i can find another space.

[artbyjody]

All that really matters is that they are secured and reasonably not in danger of being sloshed with water from a bilge, being hit with debri such as tools etc - anything can can lodge in and arc from contacting the terminals and such location is reasonably ventilated. None of my batteries are covered and on the recent survey the only ding was that the two house batteries were not secured (batteries are in the saloon in cabinets.

Hope that helps

[Freesail99]

The high top cover of all the battery boxes I could find, were just to tall to fit where I needed to place them. I built a battery box that holds 4 6V batteries out of plywood and fiberglass and epoxy. Works well for me.