Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by BillTex on 12/17/09 - 5:07 PM

I have seen several instances where Folks have mounted the battery and a fuel cell inside the same compartment; a center console for instance.
This does not seem like a good idea to me...yet I have seen several instances and no one has questioned this?
Am I being paranoid?

Bill

Posted by MW on 12/18/09 - 2:10 AM

It does NOT sound like a good idea to put an ignition source next to an explosive hazard in a semi-enclosed area.

Posted by CES on 12/18/09 - 6:44 AM

There's been a few guys here that have installed thier batteries in the same void as their fuel tanks. Similiar to what Matt said above, I too am not fond of placing a battery within the same confines as a fuel tank.

Posted by HarleyFXDL on 12/18/09 - 8:52 AM

Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

Posted by logjam on 01/31/10 - 11:44 PM

Sorry about dredging up an old thread but I couldn't comment when it came up last year.

I know there are guys that have their boats set up with batteries and gas tanks together and it makes my hair stand on end when I hear about it.

The closest I have come to losing a boat was due to a voltage regulator failing and cooking a battery on a 25' frontier. As it was the batteries burned as well as the VRO containers, and i doubt I would have extinguished the fire if the racor or the gas line had been ignited. I have had other friends with failing voltage regulators on inboard non whalers resulting in one fire and one battery explosion, so I know that it is something that is entirely possible.

The last time I rigged a whaler I isolated the batteries from each other and from the Racor and VRO. I can't imagine putting the works together in a storage area and then losing my safety gear, radio, and ability to drive at the same time if a fire breaks out.

At least when I had my fire it was in the stern. After a radio call I had help coming and the fire out prior to shutting off the engines. If I had failed to extinguish the flame I could have run toward shore or help until my engines seized. Worst case and I had to go over the side at least my survival suits and emergency gear wouldn't have burned up. Greg

Posted by bmw90w on 02/01/10 - 12:41 PM

I know the feeling, I just removed mine from my console. The previous owner/moron had it like his for years. This guy earned the title of moron when I noticed the day after I test drove it and brought it home, that there were loose wires in the console. Even worse one was bare and laying on the gas tank, Just to be sure I tested it and it was HOT! I probably turned blue since we hit many waves during the test drive! I have since ordered two mirax tanks, had them line x'ed and they are awaiting installation! Too scary for me!

Posted by FASTFJR on 02/01/10 - 4:33 PM

In my Dauntless 180 the batteries are about 5 feet away from the fuel tank. Technically they are in the same compartment (the bilge)

Posted by JohnnyCW on 02/01/10 - 8:14 PM

My 1991 Outrage 17' came from the Boston Whaler factory with the battery installed in the same compartment and within about six inches of the gas tank.

Posted by George More on 02/02/10 - 10:38 AM

If the area is ventilated, it is really no different than a bilge area. If it is enclosed, then there can be issues especially if the wiring is old. Separation of the two, such as a false wall in a console area, can help to solve this problem. Also, insuring that all connection points are tight and that the tank itself is well vented is a must.