Is there a way to glue Starboard?

[qwert]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Jeepers, just get a pre-made molded box or build something that doesn't require a bunch of technology.
If you need something custom then plywood and fiberglass/epoxy is so easy.

Dead right,I have HDPE and all the gear to weld it but when I made mine it was ply, cut to fit the space, with at least half a dozen layers of epoxy/glass.

Simple, bombproof, waterproof, economical. All done over a weekend

[Don C L]

I suspect you'll find it is cheaper and easier to get a battery box through Amazon or eBay or an RV supply store.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Just make a box from plywood, use a router with roundover bit along all the edges, wrap in packing tape, then cover with a couple layers of fiberglass and after cure rip the plywood out.

MDF even cheaper

Originally Posted by Don C L

I suspect you'll find it is cheaper and easier to get a battery box through Amazon or eBay or an RV supply store.

Small standard sized batteries you are probably right.
But nothing commercially available to suit ours.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Small standard sized batteries you are probably right.
But nothing commercially available to suit ours.

What batteries and number are we talking about? I have seen some pretty large ones commercially available

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Don C L

What batteries and number are we talking about? I have seen some pretty large ones commercially available

Find me an off the shelf box to suit a 24v cube config of 8x eve280 cells

[Don C L]

I’ll look around. Does it all have to fit in only one box?

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Don C L

I’ll look around. Does it all have to fit in only one box?

Of course it does
It's how you get 24v batteries from 8 cells

[Don C L]

You have a point, probably not too many off-the-shelf boxes for your kind of application, but isn't the OP dealing with FLA batteries?

[Franziska]

Why don't you cut plywood panels, Epoxy them together and line the inside with glass and Epoxy?

The result will be a sturdy box.

If you are worried about fire, you could additionally line the inside with a couple of layers of dry fiberglass or even Promat panels.

[s/v Jedi]

No flammable materials. It’s amazing how people provoke trouble.

I will suggest to look at 8020 extruded aluminum profiles for the frame, then add GPO-3 fiberglass panels that fit into the 8020 slots for enclosing the box.

[Don C L]

So are we looking for a box that is for FLA or LiFePO4?

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

No flammable materials. It’s amazing how people provoke trouble.



I will suggest to look at 8020 extruded aluminum profiles for the frame, then add GPO-3 fiberglass panels that fit into the 8020 slots for enclosing the box.

If you line it with Promat it is not a big problem.
He could even use a flame retardent Epoxy.

Most commercial battery boxes you can buy are made from Polypropylene. Which afaik is not less flammable than plywood and epoxy.
Have you ever held a blow torch on thick plywood panels? They last surprisingly well because of the charcoal they build up.

Btw. Aluminum can burn as well if it gets hot enough, as you are probably aware off.

So if fireproofing is the most critical case, weld up a steel box.

[The Yacht Rigger]

Originally Posted by BobHorn

Planning on making a battery tray out of Starboard. Made on previously but can't remember if I glued it or used angle brackets.

I'm not sure that I'd want to use starboard for a battery box.. but I have had success in the past with torch heating starboard until it's shiny, only takes about 10 seconds or so, then as soon as it's cool enough to touch but still pretty warm, apply 5200. I couldn't get the pieces apart when I did this.

usually we just drill and tap it though.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Of course it does
It's how you get 24v batteries from 8 cells

Forgive my ignorance here, but looking at your application, could cells B-5,6,7,8 be in a separate box?

[George_SD]

I've done some limited "gluing" of it. What worked for me

1) scuff up the surface (usually the butt side of the piece)
2) use a torch to heat up the surface until it is not glistening and becomes a tad soft
3) use a flat head screwdriver to scar a grid pattern in softened HDPE
4) let it cool
5) scuff it up with 60 grit sand paper
6) use 5200

This worked for me and resulted in a pretty good bond with the Starboard. I would still listen to the recommendation of others and put a few screws for extra assurance.