Electrical
Systems
Manufacturer Requirements
FEDERAL LAW
183.420 - Batteries
(a) 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:
(1) Vertically for a duration of one
minute.
(2) Horizontally and parallel to the
boat’s center line for a duration of one minute
fore and one minute aft.
(3) Horizontally and perpendicular to
the boat’s center line for a duration of one
minute to starboard and one minute to port.
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If a battery was allowed to reposition itself
indiscriminately at the will of the forces that occur when
a vessel (especially smaller boats with quicker motion) is
operated in waves, or while being transported over land with
its battery installed, the battery could become damaged. If
the battery casing ruptures, the electrolyte may run out.
If a battery terminal loosens, poor contact or sparking could
occur. The electrolyte is usually sulfuric acid which can
severely attack many metals and other materials. Such attack
on fuel system components has the potential of causing fuel
lines and fittings to fail and leak fuel. Movement of a battery
could cause the battery terminal to come in contact with grounded
items, resulting in sparking.
Therefore, the regulation calls for restraint
of the battery in the horizontal and vertical directions.
A battery as installed by a manufacturer may not move more
than one inch when subjected to a test force for a one minute
duration in each of three directions: vertical, horizontal
- fore and aft, and horizontal - port and starboard. The test
force selected is 90 pounds, which is approximately twice
the weight of the popular size of marine battery used in small
boats, which may be subject to high accelerations. For this
reason, 90 pounds was selected as the maximum that needed
to be applied. For batteries weighing less than 45 pounds,
a force of twice the battery weight is specified. This test
force is to be applied through the center of gravity of the
battery. (See Figure
12).
The commercially available plastic battery boxes
may be used to install a battery; however, it may be necessary
to provide means within the battery box to prevent excess
movement of the battery. The materials used for restraining
battery movement within a battery box should be selected with
regard to potential deterioration by the electrolyte. The
battery box must be fastened in such a manner that the battery
installation will comply with this section of the regulation.
It is recommended that the use of materials
to wedge the battery in a battery box be described in the
boat’s owners manual to affirm its intended use. (See
Figure 13).
FIGURE
12 - Battery Restraint Test
FIGURE
13 - Installation in a Battery Box
TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW
Is the battery installed so that it will
not move more than 1 inch in any direction when a force
of 90 pounds or twice the battery’s weight, whichever
is less, is applied for one minute each:
- Vertically?
- Horizontally - Forward?
- Horizontally - Aft?
- Horizontally - Port?
- Horizontally - Starboard?
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