Battery Strap

[PJ Moran]

2006 GTI SE

I purchased these used, and neither had the correct battery. Each was different. One appeared to be the right size, but the other was much smaller. I decided to start fresh with two new, correct batteries.

On my boats, there's a stainless steel base plate that slides over two threaded studs. It rests on the floor of the hull. Into that steel base rests a rubber "seat" that "hugs" the battery. Holding it all down is a rubber coated, steel bracket that drops over those two studs and is retained by nuts and washers.

In addition to all of this, there is this loop of webbed material that appears to be for grabbing the battery for removal. It was installed differently on each craft.

On one, this loop went under the steel plate so that when you lifted up on it, all of it comes out - base plate and all. On the other one, the loop only went around the battery. When you lift on it, all that comes out is the battery itself.

I can't find anything that shows the proper installation of this webbed loop. Under the battery only? Under the rubber seat, but not the base? Under the steel base? Which is correct?

Since I wanted to clean everything up as part of the battery swap, I kinda liked having the loop under the base. I was going to take it out any way. But, I want to put everything back as it should be, not as it was.

 

[lamajama]

Do it whatever way that "floats your boat"

Once you clean under the plate I can't see why you'd have to ever do it again but it's personal preference.

Personally I just take out the battery...

 

[ski-d00]

steel plate stays in all the time. strap goes under rubber tray so it comes out with the battery. this is how they came from the factory.

 

[PJ Moran]

steel plate stays in all the time. strap goes under rubber tray so it comes out with the battery. this is how they came from the factory.

That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.

I discovered that the original batteries require venting, and there's presumably a little port on them to which you should connect the rubber hose that runs to the side of the hull. One of the batteries was not a sealed type, and actually had a short clear hose running from it. Problem is, it was connected to nothing. The hose from the hull was just lying there. Electrolyte had oozed out of the battery vent and made a mess on the floor around the battery, eating up one of the bushings in the base plate. It would have been so easy to hook that up properly and avoid the mess and damage. The new batteries will be sealed AGMs, so the venting will not be an issue.

The owner's manual is very weak on this. I couldn't find anywhere a specification for battery size or type. There was no mention of venting (including the factory vent hose). All I could find was 12v, 30ah. Some research revealed the proper battery, but the manual should have revealed that. It appears to be geared toward having the owner take their boat to the shop for everything.

 

[PJ Moran]

Update. I bought Deka ETX30LA. They fit the base perfectly, but they are too short. They come with a 7/8" spacer for the bottom, but it made the battery too high. So, I found a piece of wood that is about 7/16" thick and that worked perfectly (placed on top of the battery). I bet some kind of home made spacer is required for most any battery you buy.