Battery box construction

[Blake Payette "Procyon" N33 Vancouver BC]

I am replacing my house batteries and I need to replace the battens that locate the bottom of the batteries. The pieces that are in there are past their best before date. The original battens are painted 1"x 1" wood secured with 1-1/2" screws. I cannot see what is under the painted plywood that is the base and I want to drill pilot holes for new hold downs. I can't see anything that might be an issue but you never know.  On my  33 the batteries are under the quarter berth.

Anybody have any idea of what is under that plywood?

[Rob Powers]

Blake I do not know. 

However on our 26 the batteries are under the quarter berth and sit on a plywood platform(3/4") At the side closest to the hull they are against the hull which curves down and toward the keel.  The side to the center of the boat is further from the hull because of the slope of the hull.The stern portion is also closer to the hull than the forward portion.

I can see under the platform so I know there are no hoses or wiring. I can also see how much clearance I have.

You may get some idea of the clearance by the length of the existing screws. If you are putting the battens in the same place and the platform is sound you could use larger diameter screws of the same length.

If the plywood is deteriorated and you have the clearance you could epoxy a new piece on top of the old if there is enough sound material.

I agree drilling hole anywhere near the hull is a bit scary.

Rob Powers,

Respite 26C #50

Sidney BC

[Joe Valinoti]

Blake:  Since you didn’t tell us what your have or where it is, it’s hard to answer.  As far as battery placement goes, almost every boat is different.  Send us a photo and maybe we can help.  Note how I sing my posts -

Regards,

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

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[Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)]

Blake,

Interesting difference between the web and email versions of Google Discussion Group --it looks like all the information Joe was looking for is displayed in the "from" field on the web version, but apparently Joe can't see it in in the email version.

Photos would definitely help.  In their absence, it does sound safe to assume that screws of the same 1.5" length into wood chocks of the same 1" x 1" dimensions should be safe.  Anything less that 3/4" plywood would be way too light duty for base. so I'd think you'd be safe.

When you drill your pilot holes, you might want to put a stopper on the drill bit (or just tape or a dab of nail polish) to keep you from drilling deeper than the length of the screws.

On one of my first boats, I drilled a hole in the hull liner of my engine compartment and was rewarded with a fountain of water spraying out.  It turned out that the hot water return hose from the hot water heater was routed under the liner precisely where I was drilling.  After some moments of panic, I realized I'd gotten off (relatively) lucky.  But I definitely know what Rob's talking about in calling drilling near the hull scary.

When you drill your pilot holes, you might want to put a stopper on the drill bit (or just a piece of tape or a dab of nail polish) to mark the desired depth and keep you from drilling deeper than the length of the screws.

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch e26U #233

[Joe Valinoti]

Bob:  I looked back at Blake’s email and it does, indeed, have that info. 

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

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