Battery locker questions

[rewired]

We're on the hard and working on a number of repairs and upgrades.

We removed the FLA batteries installed under the quarterberth, and found that the fiberglass roving in the compartment has pulled away in several places.

It appears to be a single layer of roving on the bottom and 3-4" on the sides. Any idea if it was installed to act as a waterproof 'liner' in the compartment or serves a higher purpose?

Should I try to bond it back with epoxy, cut out the loose side sections and replace them or add a couple of layers of mat over what's there?

I also had to disconnect the solar panels in order to safely remove the batteries... I know I need to add a battery disconnect - any recommendations on brands?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Tony

 

[DGA]

I had a similar lap joint debond, in the forward locker, front of the vee berth, I just smeared as much epoxy in the gap as I could get in there and clamped it together until cured. Probably a better bond than the original polyester resin made.
Gee, yet another hatch and storage locker I didn't know about, aft of the battery compartment? I just found a new one under the starboard sea berth, very nice.

 

[rewired]

Thanks!

Yeah, I didn't see that one either until I pulled up all of the cut up pieces of plywood they had over the quarterberth...

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

The aft section under the quarter berth. I keep a lot spares of both fuel filters, oil filters and wrench, belts, impellers, and an alternator in this space. Not the easiest to get to, but serves the purpose.
Mitchell

 

[terry_thatcher]

Strengthen the area with glass and epoxy would be my suggestion. That's what I did. I also set up a system of hinges and stainless sliders to hold the lids closed in case of capsize.

 

[rewired]

Strengthen the area with glass and epoxy would be my suggestion. That's what I did. I also set up a system of hinges and stainless sliders to hold the lids closed in case of capsize.

Thanks, Terry!
Did you use hinges and slide bolts? I have several loose pieces of plywood (not in pictures) covering the quarterberth. I'm thinking it was to cover where a previous owner had hacked up the top and lids to make the batteries easier to install. My thought on it was to cut a proper lid and use the flat slide bolts to lock it in place.