Battery Boxes

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I've been researching battery boxes online since we don't have any dealers around here that carry anything other than the flimsy snap-on top models. I'm looking for durable, roto-molded units. I've found Bonar Plastics (Blue Seas), Noco, Century Plastics, Todd, and Moeller Marine offering the kind of product I'm looking for. From the Web their products appear comparable but there's a wide range of prices. A double-6V golf cart box from Bonar averages around $120 while Century Plastics' version is just over $40.

I'm also more interested in boxes designed to mount using bolts through flanges on the base rather than the plastic and webbing approach.

Does anyone have experience with Century Plastics' products; particularly their battery boxes? I like the price, but don't want to end up with junk. Any other suggestions regarding the manufacturer of your choice?

Thanks,

T
 
Tom,
In this case I suspect you get what you pay for. I had one of the Blue Seas 2 golf cart battery boxes for about 8 years full time in the sun, rain, cold, heat etc. in my 12 foot Duraboat for a trolling motor. I recently sold this to another C brat, and it seemed to still be in good condition. It is a quality product, and worth the extra cost. The lid screws down with brass inserts into the heavy plastic. The Century appears to be a much lighter plastic, I have not used one, because the other seems so much better.
 
Tom,

Have you considered making your own box? I would use 3/4in plywood glued with epoxy and coated with fiberglass cloth and epoxy. Fiberglass/epoxy the plywood, then cut the parts out and bond together with fillets in the inner corners. You can build them to any size and with any attachment method you like. Should be cheaper than buying a battery box.
 
Yeah, I did. But I have quite enough to do just building the boat. I'm trying to eliminate projects. I'd really like to have it in the water this year... :roll:

That said, I might build 'em myself... Just depends on time and my temperament. Mr. Caulder has a nice description of how to build one, although I'd make some changes...
 
Tom, I don't know where you're going to put them (and they will not fit there,) but here's some fairly strong boxes without a lot of external wasted space. Journey On came with this open kind and they allow one to install batteries in a lazerette without using up a lot of extra space. Here's a link: Attwood Heavy Duty Battery Trays. If you are installing them in the open, blue Sea boxes are very good.

Here's a pic of the Journey On installation. I also used these for golph cart battery installation since they don't take up any more room that the battery and have a bolted tie down.. Worked well so far and as you know C-Dorys bounce a lot. They're bolted down with fender washers.


Back_up_Bat.sized.jpg

Boris
 
Thanks, Boris. Those battery trays are a nice way to go in tight spaces.

All four batteries are going in my lazarettes, shown in the drawing below:
C_DoryPlan_WEB.jpg


The golf cart batteries (2 T-105s) will be in the larger stbd lazarette, opposite the propane locker. The two starting batteries will be in the smaller compartments aft.

I'm interested in a battery box enclosure to contain any acid that may leak. The chances are slim, but if it happens it's a real mess. I still have vivid recollections of my last cracked battery clean up; I was about ten at the time...
 
We sold a golf cart to a man who refurnishes them and saw some battery boxes in his shop. I didnt examine them but might be useful to email or contact and see what they use. Also, Pro Gold carts are made in Bloomington, IN and might use boxes
 
Well, duh... I bought these Trojans (batteries...) at a golf cart shop in Nicholasville, KY. I'll be in the neighborhood tomorrow and will stop by to see what they might have. If I strike out, I'll email you to get the name of the place you're referring to up in IN.

Thanks, Brent,

T
 
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