Battery Trays for GMC
GMC Marine Engine Technology designs and manufactures high-performance motors for inboard and stern-drive boats. Due to the challenges of freshwater and saltwater use, boat engine systems must be reliable, robust, and resistant to corrosion. GMC marine battery trays and battery boxes are designed to ensure that engine batteries remain properly housed and protected in extreme marine environments.
Are all marine battery trays and battery boxes the same?
They are not the same because marine engines vary in size, affecting battery size requirements. Each battery tray and battery box is designed for a specific marine engine make and model and features the following components:
- Tray foundation: Attaches to the boat and provides a foundation to hold single or multiple marine batteries.
- Adjustable strap or hold bracket: This attaches to the battery tray and tightens to hold the battery in place. Batteries that move during use may result in a disconnection from the electrical system or damage to an engine’s or boat’s structure.
- Fitted box: Many marine batteries use a fitted top that covers and holds the entire battery, increasing resistance to water and other corrosive properties by keeping them outside the battery box.
What materials do a typical battery tray and battery box use?
Although car and truck battery trays and boxes include metallic materials, specialized plastics are most effective for marine applications due to their resistance to corrosion. However, plastic battery trays and battery boxes still need to be inspected for corrosion and other abnormalities as they age. This ensures that they can safely hold their contents.
When is it time to replace a battery tray or battery box?
- Surface cracks: This indicates a weakening of the structure, which could challenge the ability of it to hold contents in its place.
- Corrosion: Although metals corrode faster, it is still possible for plastic structures to corrode. When inspecting your battery tray or battery box, check for material discoloration and degradation of the structure due to marine corrosion.
- Broken parts: Whether it is a chip, failed bolts, a broken strap, or other structural challenges, the defective marine part should be replaced as soon as possible.
How do you inspect a battery tray or battery box?
All inspections should be performed per manufacturer’s recommendations. Some of the steps may involve:
- Removing the battery: Follow the manufacturer’s procedures on removing the battery. Typical steps include removing the top of the battery box, disconnecting the battery from the electrical system, loosening the battery bracket and/or strap that holds the battery in place, and removing the battery.
- Removing the battery tray: If anchored to the watercraft’s structure, loosen and remove bolts that are holding the battery tray in place and remove.
- Inspecting the battery tray and battery box: Clean off any debris and carefully look for cracks, chips, breaks, discoloration, and other indicators of weakness around or in the battery tray and/or battery box.
- Replacing the battery: If signs of structural failure are present, order and install a marine-approved replacement part and reinstall the battery.