Battery box

[oldwave]

On my trip this summer the battery box broke loose and I had to do an emergency repair to secure it. I used screws in the corners and sealed them. It was temporary and sure a bit of acid leaked. Not too much of a mess but the battery box is junk now. Today as I’m working on an inverter, I decided to order a new one and take the old one out. What I discovered was not a very well though out install to keep the battery box secured. It seems during the manufacture they screw through the plywood floor into the corners of the battery box. Some of these screw were corroded and sheared off making the box shift under the weight. This means it’s impossible to reinstall a box using the same method. I’ll get my new marine grade box tomorrow and figure out a secure mounting method. Escape should have constructed a tie down with straps. An easy design change . The method of sealing the box is pretty Mickey Mouse also. Anybody with a new build notice any change of 21c battery box ? Does it still have a piece of wood and wing nuts to secure it ?

I’m not quite ready to move to lithium so I’m replacing it .

[cpaharley2008]

That is the method used in my past 4 Escapes, all worked fine.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

That is the method used in my past 4 Escapes, all worked fine.

It works, I agree, the bigger issues was the box breaking loose from the screw mounts. I’ll see what I can come up with .

[Vermilye]

When I switched to lithium batteries, I screwed a piece of 1/2" plywood the size of the 3 batteries footprint with straps underneath. I added 1" X1" by 1/16" aluminum angle on top of the plywood to anchor the bottom of the batteries, and ran the straps over the tops to hold them down.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

When I switched to lithium batteries, I screwed a piece of 1/2" plywood the size of the 3 batteries footprint with straps underneath. I added 1" X1" by 1/16" aluminum angle on top of the plywood to anchor the bottom of the batteries, and ran the straps over the tops to hold them down.

Kind of what I’m thinking . Thanks . Really nice looking install.

[Upfisk]

On our Bluewater sailboat we held down our 4-6volt batteries with wingnuts, threaded rod, and wood. Worked well for 18 years, 20,000 nautical miles, 50 knot winds, and 20 ft tall breaking seas, including one knock down. On our 2018 E19 we feel the battery hold down system works well for lead acid batteries.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by Upfisk

On our Bluewater sailboat we held down our 4-6volt batteries with wingnuts, threaded rod, and wood. Worked well for 18 years, 20,000 nautical miles, 50 knot winds, and 20 ft tall breaking seas, including one knock down. On our 2018 E19 we feel the battery hold down system works well for lead acid batteries.

Not as concerned about the rod as the under box mounting that failed. Impossible to service as the screws corroded and sheared off. I’m going to work with my machine shop to fashion a serviceable method to secure the battery box itself. If the threaded rods hooked to the floor it would have helped the box from moving and stressing the screws that had minimal penetration to the perimeter of the battery box. Clearly the assembly was attached to the floor plywood before it was screwed down. You simply cannot replace the box by the method it was mounted. I may remount the threaded rod on the new box, which is a moeller designed for two gc2 batteries. There will be some sealing and the hole drilled for the exhaust hose, which was riveted and secured with pro flex, a drill and heat gun made that come off easily. This happened after 4 years and a lot of miles on the trailer.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

When I switched to lithium batteries,

Still envious when I see that nice set of lithium batteries. Not quite as envious as I used to be though because at least I have one now.

Originally Posted by Upfisk

, including one knock down.

Only one, you must reduce sail area faster than I do.

Ron

[MyronL]

OK got to chirp in here with my Lithium battery box. Has a lid and a thin wrap of insulation since it is in the tongue box.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by MyronL

OK got to chirp in here with my Lithium battery box. Has a lid and a thin wrap of insulation since it is in the tongue box.

It's your fault that I had to buy a lithium battery. I figured what the heck, if Myron's got one, I have to have one.

Ron