Batteries in the Bilge

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J

J876

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I'm looking at new Parkers and noticed they now put the batteries on a small ledge in the bilge compartment. Is this really safe? I posted this question on another website and received mixed answers. A few people with Parkers said it's not a big deal since a lot of boats have this setup... but most people without Parkers said it's a horrible idea and they wouldn't buy a boat with this setup. When I opened the rear hatch to look in some water from the outside dripped right down onto the top of the batteries and connections. I'm just thinking about corrosion issues long term. I was thinking I could invest in a marine battery box but there might not be room for two of those on that little shelf in the compartment. The other option I was thinking about was seeing if they can put the batteries under the bench in the cabin and run the wires from there (like Steigercrafts do). Not sure if they would do this though. What are everyones' thoughts?

-J
 
Parker has been doing that a Long time.....This was my old '95.
My Bitch was the original hatch was not big enough....I cut the boat and installed the larger hatch.

After that you could get to Everything, for easy servicing and cleaning.

The batteries in that location are not a problem...Would I have put them there originally? No.

All connections should be coated with Diaelectric grease.

Scroll thru these.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12419&start=50

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12419&start=75

Battery upgrade.

Gp27 Starting and D4 Deep Cycle for the House.


viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12419&start=600
 
I disagree that the bilge is a good place for batteries on any boat. I moved mine forward and up into the console. Much better environment, less chance of getting overwhelmed by water in the case of a storm and moves weight out of the stern. Very happy.
 
dave-j":2ne3q7c7 said:
I disagree that the bilge is a good place for batteries on any boat. I moved mine forward and up into the console. Much better environment, less chance of getting overwhelmed by water in the case of a storm and moves weight out of the stern. Very happy.
Click to expand...

I'd like to do the same. Is this something the factory or dealership did for you? I know everyone is a "do it yourself'er" here but I don't feel comfortable doing this on my own.
 
J876":1sye4dz2 said:
dave-j":1sye4dz2 said:
I disagree that the bilge is a good place for batteries on any boat. I moved mine forward and up into the console. Much better environment, less chance of getting overwhelmed by water in the case of a storm and moves weight out of the stern. Very happy.
Click to expand...

I'd like to do the same. Is this something the factory or dealership did for you? I know everyone is a "do it yourself'er" here but I don't feel comfortable doing this on my own.
Click to expand...

The dealer can easily do it.

Or hire a marine electronic specialist and he/she can easily do it.
 
I have a 25se and as soon as I got it I moved the batteries from the bilge to the center console and also moved the battery switch to the console. It was really a pain getting down on the deck to open the hatch to get to the battery switch!
 
I conjecture that the battery design placement at the transom was to minimize the cable run and thereby maximize the start voltage to outboards or an I/O. However, I rejected purchase of a 2006 2520 outboard when I discovered that the batteries were placed in the bilge against the transom. Not only do they add weight aft, but if the cockpit flooded coming into an inlet with big seas, or you were hit by a broadside comber offshore, all the water would travel aft, and flooded/shorted batteries would leave one at the mercy of the elements. Therefore, I opted for an inboard 1997 2520 DV Sport Cabin with the batteries located on a shelf just aft of the wheelhouse door, and forward of the engine. Very pleased with this setup, weight distribution, and total access.

E1BE8C57-6C07-4AFE-82C8-9F31DE6A1641_1_105_c.jpeg
 
J876 said:
I'm looking at new Parkers and noticed they now put the batteries on a small ledge in the bilge compartment. Is this really safe? I posted this question on another website and received mixed answers. A few people with Parkers said it's not a big deal since a lot of boats have this setup... but most people without Parkers said it's a horrible idea and they wouldn't buy a boat with this setup. When I opened the rear hatch to look in some water from the outside dripped right down onto the top of the batteries and connections. I'm just thinking about corrosion issues long term. I was thinking I could invest in a marine battery box but there might not be room for two of those on that little shelf in the compartment. The other option I was thinking about was seeing if they can put the batteries under the bench in the cabin and run the wires from there (like Steigercrafts do). Not sure if they would do this though. What are everyones' thoughts?

-J
Click to expand...
On our 2520 the batteries are in the aft bilge, on that ledge that you mentioned. I replaced the batteries this year and found it to be a pretty convenient place to have them; I had no trouble removing the old batteries, and installing the new ones. I don't recall getting water on or near the batteries, but I do as suggested and keep the large terminal covers over the terminals, and keep them coated in dielectric grease. I'm not crazy about having the battery Switch located in that same compartment as I'm constantly getting on my knees to check and double-check to see if I remembered to turn them off when leaving the boat. (My short-term memory is not what it used to be!).... But, the good part about having the switch there is that it forces me to check the bilge every time I'm on the boat.
A lot of boat-safety folks mention a potential issue with batteries low in the bilges and that is in the case of a catastrophic leak. If the boat is truly sinking and the batteries get submerged then you could loose radio communications. It's another reason we have an EPIRB a PLB, and an additional hand-held on the boat.
 
Andy said:
On our 2520 the batteries are in the aft bilge, on that ledge that you mentioned. I replaced the batteries this year and found it to be a pretty convenient place to have them; I had no trouble removing the old batteries, and installing the new ones. I don't recall getting water on or near the batteries, but I do as suggested and keep the large terminal covers over the terminals, and keep them coated in dielectric grease. I'm not crazy about having the battery Switch located in that same compartment as I'm constantly getting on my knees to check and double-check to see if I remembered to turn them off when leaving the boat. (My short-term memory is not what it used to be!).... But, the good part about having the switch there is that it forces me to check the bilge every time I'm on the boat.
A lot of boat-safety folks mention a potential issue with batteries low in the bilges and that is in the case of a catastrophic leak. If the boat is truly sinking and the batteries get submerged then you could loose radio communications. It's another reason we have an EPIRB a PLB, and an additional hand-held on the boat.
Click to expand...
Just an FYI, on my 25 se I get a better ride when I moved the batteries up to the center. Console. It moved about 140 pounds from the aft to midship
 
Kevin said:
Just an FYI, on my 25 se I get a better ride when I moved the batteries up to the center. Console. It moved about 140 pounds from the aft to midship
Click to expand...
That sounds like a good option for your 25 se; and having them under the center-console is a higher (safer) and more convenient location.... Our 2520 XLD doesn't need more weight forward. With the pilothouse, gear, 14 gallon fresh-water tank (117 lbs) and people we usually need more weight aft. I often carry a large cooler in the cockpit, but we don't use the bait-well. (When I need to move 140 lbs forward, I ask one of my buddies to move half of his body to the pilothouse! ☺)
 
Andy said:
That sounds like a good option for your 25 se; and having them under the center-console is a higher (safer) and more convenient location.... Our 2520 XLD doesn't need more weight forward. With the pilothouse, gear, 14 gallon fresh-water tank (117 lbs) and people we usually need more weight aft. I often carry a large cooler in the cockpit, but we don't use the bait-well. (When I need to move 140 lbs forward, I ask one of my buddies to move half of his body to the pilothouse! ☺)
Click to expand...
Got it!
 
I have a n '03 2801 and my batteries are under the console (4 total). The 2801 has a two (2) shelves in the bilge. I believe, and it's my best guess, that these are where the oil reservoirs were placed when 2-stroke motors were the norm. I would never put my batteries in the bilge area. Maybe someone else with 2 strokes can comment on that.
 
ShoalsSkipper said:
I conjecture that the battery design placement at the transom was to minimize the cable run and thereby maximize the start voltage to outboards or an I/O. However, I rejected purchase of a 2006 2520 outboard when I discovered that the batteries were placed in the bilge against the transom. Not only do they add weight aft, but if the cockpit flooded coming into an inlet with big seas, or you were hit by a broadside comber offshore, all the water would travel aft, and flooded/shorted batteries would leave one at the mercy of the elements. Therefore, I opted for an inboard 1997 2520 DV Sport Cabin with the batteries located on a shelf just aft of the wheelhouse door, and forward of the engine. Very pleased with this setup, weight distribution, and total access.

View attachment 26962
Click to expand...

I see this type stuff all the time....There is a LOT wrong in this pix. It does have a BEP cluster installed. But look what they used to connect the Lil GND wire. A open barrel automotive style connector....This area has high humidity.....The use of Bare Copper ends on the cable....Tinned ends need to be there....The use of tape instead of shrink tubing with glue in it.....The cables are probably Junk with corrosion inside. Other than that it's pretty clean :)
 
Excellent observations and all those corrections will be completed. Thx, and it was your recommendation for the BEP cluster. Very pleased with that!
 
Did you replace the 10ga wires on the back of the BEP cluster? I change those out on every one....I just installed # 50. They use those same CRAP connectors.....I just cut new 10ga wire and build new ones with Crimp/Shrink connectors.
 
warthog5 said:
I see this type stuff all the time....There is a LOT wrong in this pix. It does have a BEP cluster installed. But look what they used to connect the Lil GND wire. A open barrel automotive style connector....This area has high humidity.....The use of Bare Copper ends on the cable....Tinned ends need to be there....The use of tape instead of shrink tubing with glue in it.....The cables are probably Junk with corrosion inside. Other than that it's pretty clean :)
Click to expand...
Hi
2801 Parker said:
I have a n '03 2801 and my batteries are under the console (4 total). The 2801 has a two (2) shelves in the bilge. I believe, and it's my best guess, that these are where the oil reservoirs were placed when 2-stroke motors were the norm. I would never put my batteries in the bilge area. Maybe someone else with 2 strokes can comment on that.
Click to expand...
 
Hey 2801 Parker,

I have a 2003 2520XL where the batteries have been in the bilge the entire life of the boat. I have experienced no problems with cable corrosion, batteries shorting etc. The boat always fires up with the first turn of the key. I have a two-stroke on the back of my boat, but it is an Evinrude G2 so the oil reservoir is in the engine rather than sitting in the bilge. My batteries sit on the shelf on the port side of the bilge to counter my weight when I am alone on the boat sitting in the cockpit. Never had a problem with this setup. You are right about the oil reservoir being placed on one of those shelves. I had an older Evinrude and the external reservoir did sit on that shelf opposite the batteries.
 
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