Whats up with batteries and salt water?

[masonboro]

Hello,
I have a 1994 johnson 15hp with electric start on my 10' ridgid inflatable.
I would like to hook up the electric start since it is already there and free.

I am unfamiliar with batteries sitting there in water when it rains while my dinghy is sitting there at the dinghy dock.
I will get a batt tray but I am curious about water getting in there through the air vents especially during a big rain when dinghy gets swamped with water.

What is necesary care for a battery?

 

[F_R]

Re: Whats up with batteries and salt water?

Hello,
I have a 1994 johnson 15hp with electric start on my 10' ridgid inflatable.
I would like to hook up the electric start since it is already there and free.

I am unfamiliar with batteries sitting there in water when it rains while my dinghy is sitting there at the dinghy dock.
I will get a batt tray but I am curious about water getting in there through the air vents especially during a big rain when dinghy gets swamped with water.

What is necesary care for a battery?

Well not swamping it in the water would be high on the list of priorities. The vents would not be the problem, the galvanic corrosion caused by electrical flow through the water would be. A boat that happens to get submerged will eat the positive battery cable and wires off within minutes.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Whats up with batteries and salt water?

And, even a "light" salt spray can conduct well enough to do a lot of damage; we keep ours inside battery boxes for that reason alone.

 

[masonboro]

Re: Whats up with batteries and salt water?

Thanks very much