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When it comes to your boat, batteries are precious cargoes. Not only is it essential that they are protected from marine elements such as water splashes, corrosion, and sulfation. They also contain a huge amount of chemicals such as hydrogen oxide that would be hazardous if they were ever to spill from the structure. If you’ve seen a battery explosion before, then you have an extra reason to think of a battery box and you’re right to think it’s is a good idea to have the marine battery in a battery box.
Also called a power center or a power box, a battery box will act as a protection box for your battery and ensure that it is protected from the harsh marine environment, whilst still being able to work at full power.
Getting the best marine battery box is therefore crucial to having smooth and safe sailing and having reliable power for your trolling motor or other appliances. Here, we have selected the 5 best marine battery boxes and created a buying guide to assist you in the process.
Contents
Marine Battery Box Reviews 2022
1. Newport Vessels Smart Battery Box – Editor’s Choice
Taking the battery standard to a completely different degree, the Newport Vessels Box is a smart battery box that provides waterproof external battery vents for your trolling motor, USB outlet, and 12V power interface. This wonderful device turns your normal 24 or 27 battery into a marine-grade power station that could safely power your trolling motor while charging your smartphone or other devices.
A battery LED display shows your battery’s current charge, which is great to know when you’re relying on it to get back to shore. For added safety, this battery box includes two circuit breakers. There is a circuit breaker for your 60 Glass trolling motor link and a circuit breaker for the 10 amp mount vents. Rubber foot inserts keep the battery from slipping while you’re in your boat.
This battery box measures 12 x 10 x 17 inches and weighs approximately three pounds. Even though it is rain and splashproof, it should not be submerged underwater. As for this box, it’s the best answer for small boats, canoes, kayaks, and other small watercraft that use trolling motors or require a 12V battery. The Newport Vessels Battery Box is backed by a 2-year warranty. Click here to see the best price.
Key features
- Includes 10 and 60 amp circuit breakers
- USB charger and accessory port
- Compatible with Group 24 and 27 batteries
- LED battery meter
- Designed to fit 24 and 27 category batteries
- Exterior battery vents and USB charger
- Double circuit breakers
- Rubberized feet for stability
- Comes with 2 years warranty
- Its smart features make it less waterproof; it’s not submersible
2. Minn Kota Battery Box – Most Easy to Install
To start with, connecting the electric motor to the boat battery while in the box can be done by anyone in his sleep. This is because the Minn Kota Battery Power Center has two large wing nuts with a metal base with which the connection to the external poles is done in seconds.
But that’s not all: Two practical sockets provide additional connection options. You can now easily power echo sounders, fish finders, pumps, etc
When it comes to safety, your Minn Kota Battery Power Center also offers a high standard: A 60 A circuit breaker protects the boat battery and the connection for the electric motor. The socket locations are also secured. A 10 A circuit breaker is used here.
These are real marine-grade circuit breakers that you can easily reset should anything go wrong. Something like this costs almost 50 dollars individually!
With the Minn Kota Battery Power Center, the cover and housing of the battery box are simply held together with a robust strap. You can detach and reattach it in no time at all. Above all: No lock or hinge can break.
Your sonar batteries, deep cycle AGM batteries up to and including 107Ah, except 67Ah and 80Ah, and lithium-ion batteries all with 12V up to and including 140Ah and 24V can fit into the power box.
In addition, the Minn Kota Battery Power Center is of course also compatible with a large number of other batteries that fit into the battery box in terms of internal dimensions. Note that the internal dimensions are 13 5/16 inches in length, 7 1/4 inches in width, and 8 7/8 inches in height. Click here to see the best price.
Key features
- Dual circuit breakers: 60 amps and 10 amps
- Built-in battery meter
- For 24 and 27 size batteries
- The circuit breakers are resettable
- Carry handles make it portable
- The battery display meter shows the state of charge
- Ideal for small boats
- Fits group 29 too
- Not a smart battery box
3. SeaSense Deluxe Battery Box – Best For Large Batteries
Most battery boxes are designed for smaller fishing boats and inflatable boats. The larger models are equipped with a battery compartment, while you often have the greatest difficulties securely attaching the boat battery yourself. The SeaSense Deluxe Battery Power Center doesn’t just solve this problem.
It is an ingenious battery power center for your fishing boat that can fit in up to a Group 31 battery. It reliably protects against dangers that you may not even have known about.
The battery box helps you gain a lot of extra comfort on your fishing boat. It starts with the built-in LED battery meter indicator. So, you can see at a glance how long your boat battery is likely to last.
Identical in many ways to the last selection, it’s however less expensive and much more accommodating. This box is nearly identical in every way, except for one added feature: a flexible insert that allows a secure fit for virtually any battery size with a range of groups from 24 to 31.
This battery is larger than most of the models on our list. It measures 17 x 14 x 11 inches, giving it a wider profile that will require more space for assembly and placement. It’s a sturdy piece of plastic that will hold your battery.
The extra room inside the box can then be used for storage of resources or other gear you don’t mind endangering battery acid vulnerability if your battery spills. Click here to see the best price.
Key features
- Features a built-in LED indicator
- Measures 17 x 14 x 11 inches in dimensions
- Wingnuts coated with vinyl
- Large capacity
- Designed to hold up to Group 31 battery
- It features a 12-volt accessories socket
- Has an indicator that shows battery level
- Comfortable to use and easy to mount
- No built-in USB port
- Straps can be stronger
4. Homeon Wheels Smart Battery Box – Best Smart Battery Box
The Homeon Wheels battery box is a durable, protected, and compact battery box. No matter where your adventures take you, whether sea, land, or air, this particular battery case is ready for the ride. The rugged battery box is made of impact-resistant plastic that is also resistant to UV rays, corrosive gases, oils, battery acid, and water.
The handles are reinforced to prevent breakage, and the snap-on cover also includes a safe, overlapping match that will prevent rainwater and seawater from entering the battery room.
Featuring a huge acid reservoir, this battery will help protect you, your trolling motor, and your boat from all battery spills. You’ll find cable ports that allow you to use the battery when the lid is closed. The snap-on lid is closed with patented locking tabs that hold firmly.
This battery measures 13.3 inches x 8.6 inches x 8.1 inches and a battery hold-down strap has been included for added security. Made entirely of plastic, the Homeon Battery Box looks sleek with its shiny, reflective coating. There are two or three main reasons why you might choose to purchase a plastic case like this. First of all, it functions as a waterproof case between the battery and the engine compartment or wherever you may install it. This is necessary for boats with trolling motors that use unsealed lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid spills can be dangerous and with the battery in a safe box like this, it just makes sense to have one wherever you place it.
We like this specific battery box because it’s a flexible size that can hold a wide variety of common 12V battery sizes. It’s not as strong as a steel battery box could be, but it’s still pretty sturdy. Click here to see the best price.
Key features
- It Fits 24 and 27 group batteries
- Visual voltmeter
- Two USB sockets
- A handle and two side straps
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Designed to keep a 12-volt group 24 to 27 battery
- Made from UV and impact-resistant plastic
- Sturdy and durable
- Water-resistant
- Easy to install
- The carry handle can be sturdier
5. Camco Standard Battery Box – Our Budget Pick
The Camco standard box kit for a battery is ideal for use in small boats fitted with trolling motors or in any position where water will easily get to the battery. The battery box has watertight housing for small boats that do not have a specific location to locate the battery.
The Camco battery is the best for small boats or boats with small installation space. The inside dimensions are 7 1/4 inches in width, 10 3/4 inches in length, and 8 inches in height. It can provide housing for a battery of 24 group (not included).
However, is essential that the installed battery has terminals. It has some external terminals connected to the battery’s terminals that allow the connection of the cables of the electric motor and the battery charger without the need to open the box that is closed using a strap with a clip.
The battery box doesn’t come with sockets or a battery LED indicator. We weren’t expecting these extra features considering it’s an under $10 battery box. It’s just a basic battery box with a convenient handle, a hold-down strap, foot clamps, and comes with screws made from stainless steel.
This box is equipped with a handle that allows you to easily transport the source of energy, to connect a motor very quickly and safely. It’s made of heavy-duty polypropylene while remaining as lightweight as possible. Click here to see the best price.
Key features
- Polypropylene construction
- Plastic carry handle
- For 24 Group batteries
- 7 1/4 x 10 3/4 x 8 inches inner dimensions
- Lightweight plastic construction
- Convenient carry handle
- Corrosion resistant
- Good budget battery box
- No circuit breaker
- No display LED
Things To Conside For a Battery Box
When it comes to your boat, batteries are a valuable accessory. Not only is it vital that they are protected from falling, but they also contain some dangerous chemicals that would cause great danger if they ever leaked out of the case.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest in the best battery box. It acts as a protective hub for the battery and to ensure it is protected from the harsh marine environment, while still operating at full capacity.
In this buying guide, you’ll find useful information about the need for a battery box and a few important considerations to consider before purchasing a battery box.
Why You Need a Marine Battery Box
On a boat, it is normal to find one or more batteries depending on the size and the equipment on board. In general, there will be a starter battery and one or more service batteries, which will be used to power the various accessories of the boat like the trolling motor.
These batteries should be properly installed and stored, preferably in a waterproof box or container to protect the battery from elements such as sand, water, and dust, but also to prevent liquid leakage or acid loss. And this i’s why you need a battery box.
That’s why renowned brands like Newport Vessels, Camco, and Minn Kota have designed battery-powered boxes of various sizes to accommodate one or more batteries at the same time.
The boat battery box has a lid, but also a closing strap. On some, you will also find a fixing system that will allow easy storage of the battery box on the boat. Similarly, some brands like Minn Kota have designed battery boxes with more features that will allow you to connect your batteries to your electric motors, etc. directly and quickly without having to take them out of their box.
Basic vs. Smart Box
One of the first things to consider before buying a battery box is whether you want just a basic battery box or one with smart features such as an LED battery meter, circuit breakers, and more. If you have a limited budget but still want to protect your battery and nothing more, a basic plastic smart box will be enough. However, if you want even more safety and want to do extra things with your battery box, a smart box will do and these are usually more than $50 in price.
Smart boxes like the Newport Vessels one come with USB outlets for charging your smartphone or other devices, a battery LED display that shows your battery’s current charge, and up to two circuit breakers for added safety on board.
Meanwhile, a basic box like the Camco box is usually inexpensive and only comes with nothing else but the plastic housing, sometimes a handle, and the locking system.
Waterproofing
In general, marine battery boxes are not entirely waterproof, or in other words, they are not supposed to be entirely waterproof.
Most are not submersible and there is a reason for this. The reason for this is that batteries require a certain level of ventilation which you will find under the cover. However, a battery box should be well designed so that water does not get inside the box from the top or sides due to water splashes or rain.
Portability
Portability here refers to the compactness and the ease of transporting the box. This box should always come with a sturdy carry handle that can make it easy to carry the box even when you have your battery in.
It is also important to know your battery bank’s inside dimensions or physical measurements. Buying the correct size battery is very important for several reasons, so you know the battery(ies) will fit in the box, and because the correct size will securely hold your configured battery without shaking and becoming fragile.
The size is important because having a big, heavy steel battery box may not be portable, unlike a sturdy plastic marine box.
Mounting
The mounting of the box is one thing, but the battery(ies) that are held in the box is yet another. Deciding on the appropriate dimensions of the case and mounting it firmly will help ensure that the battery stays in place, but you may also want to get a battery case that has a secure holder or strap that can be used to tie down the battery in place.
Theft can be a problem, but it’s more of an issue if you plan to store your battery outdoors, for example, when your boat is docked. Some battery containers are lockable, and these should be at the top of your shopping checklist.
Most battery containers can be attached directly to plastic, metal, or wooden surfaces. Properly securing your battery is essential, and it depends on where you will place it. As for small boats, anywhere around the front of the boat hull is usual.
Indoors in the case of a vehicle’s engine compartment, you will likely have the option of mounting the battery to a single body or the frame of the vehicle.
Elsewhere, such as on a ship, you may need to construct a platform or safe house that can be used to mount and store the battery box. Caravans and motorhomes will likely have dedicated locations for mounting battery boxes.
Extra features
You’ll be looking for extra features if you’re opting for a smart box. Here, the options you have include a battery meter display, a USB socket, circuit breaker(s), voltmeter, and more.
FAQs
Do boat batteries need to be in a box?
It's a great idea to have the battery in a box, even though contemporary sealed batteries don't need it. A battery box can catch any acids that may leak out of a battery, which may be something you don't need to have on yourself, in your boat, or on the water.
What's the point of a battery box?
Battery boxes are typically used to mount additional batteries for your boat, vehicle, truck, RV, or camping trailer. They can also be used to replace your vehicle's battery holder or housing. Battery boats protect your battery from outside components such as dust and water while retaining almost any battery acid or other flammable material that may leak out of the battery. A properly mounted and properly sized battery box will hold your battery in a secure position, reducing rocking motions and vibrations.
How do you vent a battery box?
Most battery boxes come with vented space at the bottom but if yours doesn't come with this or the ventilation space isn't enough, you can vent the battery box at the bottom. An improperly vented battery box can cause the accumulation of hydrogen oxide and you could have an explosion. And no, it's not just a liquid acid battery that needs venting.
Can you charge a battery in a battery box?
Most battery boxes are designed with positive and negative battery terminals that make it possible to charge and use the battery right from the box. The battery terminals are connected to the box's terminals. They are designed to allow charging cables to come in and out of the box for seamless charging without having to reach the battery.
Final Thoughts
Getting the best marine battery box you can find is key to having the highest level of protection for your boat and we’ve shown you the best options and what to watch out for.
We’ve reviewed five battery containers and identified the best ones available for your battery needs. When evaluating these battery cases, we all considered factors such as the smart or basic features, the portability, mounting flexibility, pricing, and other features to decide on our top picks. We then picked the best models from a long list of battery boxes. Now it’s your turn and we hope you’ll be able to find one that meets your battery needs.
