Group 8D Battery Box

Storage Batteries in Boats

Did you know that the United States Coast Guard has regulations regarding batteries? Properly installing one of our battery boxes will meet USCG federal regulations.

Here are the regulations directly from 33 CFR 183.401-460

Each installed battery must not move more than one inch in any direction when a pulling force of 90 pounds or twice the battery weight, whichever is less, is applied through the center of gravity of the battery as follows:

• Vertically for a duration of one minute.
• Horizontally and parallel to the boat's center line for a duration of one minute fore and one minute aft.
• Horizontally and perpendicular to the boat's center line for a duration of one minute to starboard and one minute to port.
• Each battery must be installed so that metallic objects cannot come in contact with the ungrounded battery terminals.
• Each metallic fuel line and fuel system component within 12 inches and above the horizontal plane of the battery top surface as installed must be shielded with dielectric material.
• Each battery must not be directly above or below a fuel tank, fuel filter, or fitting in a fuel line.
• A vent system or other means must be provided to permit the discharge from the boat of hydrogen gas released by the battery.
• Each battery terminal connector must not depend on spring tension for its mechanical connection to the terminal.

In our home state of Wisconsin, our regulations regarding batteries are as follows:

It is unlawful to operate a motorized vessel equipped with a storage battery unless the battery is secured against shifting. A covered battery box with strap is best. In addition, the battery must be equipped with non-conductive terminal shields to prevent accidental shorting. Both the positive and negative terminals must be covered.

Many States have similar regulations. If your State does not have any boating rules regarding storage batteries, it is recommended to follow USCG regulations.