Carver Owners Forum

Viper wrote:QR_BBPOST Nothing wrong with the way you want to approach this. Knowing that the setup isn't ideal is good to know, at least you know that and can take measures to ensure it won't affect your boating and that it's something you can improve upon at a later date as you reassess your needs or get some other projects out of the way first. As long as you manage that battery switch properly, you should be good.

Installing the batteries in the engine compartment is acceptable as long as it's done right, you have proper ventilation, and that all your hardware in that engine bay is ignition proof. Mount them low, secure them properly, use marine cable and connectors, and cover the terminals. Having them in trays is okay, as long as they are properly strapped but putting them in boxes also affords the ability to contain battery fluid should the battery crack for any reason.

Viper wrote:QR_BBPOST You want to make sure the box is well ventilated, not just with a vent hose to the blower unless you plan on having the blower on 24/7. Those batteries/box need to be able to dissipate heat. Personally I wouldn't bother with a vent hose, leaving it in a tray or properly vented box is perfectly normal. Boxes with vent hoses are great for areas you don't want exposed to off-gassing like in a berth but not needed in an engine bay IMO. For ventilation and heat dissipation, you're better off just ensuring the design of the box allows for plenty of air movement.

bud37 wrote:QR_BBPOST Tony....the charging off gassing from lead acid batteries is a form of hydrogen which is lighter than air so it will naturally dissipate upwards so any vent rising away will suffice, no need to run blowers.

There are many very good versions of people building wooden battery boxes made for this purpose that meet the marine regs can be found on line here and there. The other thing they can serve as is, with a good lid , somewhere to sit, kneel, store stuff, step on, instead of folk walking on the battery tops as they do. They will insulate the batteries from engine heat, with a few holes around the top edge and the cable inlet/outlets there is natural flow aplenty, also a good spot for the battery shunt to be mounted safe and dry.

Lets face it you can buy all these things in many different versions, single multiple etc, just a good project if you are handy. ....good luck with the project.