Replacing the engine battery

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   Hi AllThe engine battery on High Time has finally died - no complaints as it's 13 years old!It's been so good that I have bought an exact replacement (Victron Blue Power 12-90) but the problem now is how to fit it. Because of its position on a small shelf above the back of the engine it will be impossible for me to lift it there at arms length (27kgs). I am considering some sort of slide arrangement, from the battery shelf to the top of the panel behind the steps, but am wondering if there is a better solution.
How have others owners tackled this problem (not including paying someone else to do the job!)?

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High Time Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 04 September 2012 Location: Portsmouth UK Status: Offline Points: 819	Post Options Post Reply Quote High Time Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Replacing the engine battery Posted: 03 September 2025 at 14:08
	Hi All The engine battery on High Time has finally died - no complaints as it's 13 years old! It's been so good that I have bought an exact replacement (Victron Blue Power 12-90) but the problem now is how to fit it. Because of its position on a small shelf above the back of the engine it will be impossible for me to lift it there at arms length (27kgs). I am considering some sort of slide arrangement, from the battery shelf to the top of the panel behind the steps, but am wondering if there is a better solution. How have others owners tackled this problem (not including paying someone else to do the job!)?
	Roger High Time (415 #038)

pdc78 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 27 May 2016 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 142	Post Options Post Reply Quote pdc78 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 September 2025 at 16:07
	Hi Roger I used an old board as a slide along which to withdraw the old battery and to push the replacement. On my boat the edge of the battery shelf can be unscrewed which makes it easier for the operation. It is also better if the forward end of the board is supported by a trestle or prop so that the slope is not too great. I could help you at the weekend. Best regards, Paul
	H345 #269

High Time Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 04 September 2012 Location: Portsmouth UK Status: Offline Points: 819	Post Options Post Reply Quote High Time Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 September 2025 at 16:55
	Hi Paul Thanks for confirming use of a slide arrangement. I was thinking of anchoring the bottom of the slide to the panel in front of the engine but need to check that it's strong enough to briefly support most of the battery weight while it's manoeuvered onto the top of the slide from the shelf. One alternative I have heard suggested elsewhere is to re-site the battery somewhere 'sensible' like next to the calorifier under the port aft bunk but this would require tidily routing a few feed of heavy duty cable. Has anyone tried this mod? Thanks for the offer to help (I'm assuming you're in Universal this weekend?) but I think I'd rather wait until I'm back in home port and not planning an outing in case it doesn't go to plan! I can briefly parallel the start battery with service batteries this weekend if it fails to start. We can view and discuss the problem though. See you there Friday.
	Roger High Time (415 #038)

415 Singapore Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 23 September 2013 Location: Singapore Status: Offline Points: 935	Post Options Post Reply Quote 415 Singapore Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 September 2025 at 20:01
	Hi Roger, We did this on Night Train as I was told that it was better to have the battery somewhere cooler than the highest part of the engine bay! Plus access is a lot simpler, if you move the battery isolation switch as well, the existing cables can be re-used. Access for cables from engine bay to underside of berth is easy Good luck Pail
	Paul - Night Train - 415 #136

High Time Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 04 September 2012 Location: Portsmouth UK Status: Offline Points: 819	Post Options Post Reply Quote High Time Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 September 2025 at 22:53
	Hi Paul (Night Train) Thanks for confirming that moving the battery to the port bunk is not only 'doable' but is arguably better for the battery as it's cooler than high in the engine compartment. It would also be safer than sliding the 27kg battery up a makeshift ramp above the engine but may be a bit more time consuming. I will take a closer look at what's required and report back when I've completed the job (one way or the other!). Edited by High Time - 04 September 2025 at 22:54
	Roger High Time (415 #038)

High Time Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 04 September 2012 Location: Portsmouth UK Status: Offline Points: 819	Post Options Post Reply Quote High Time Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 September 2025 at 13:47
	Hi Paul (Night Train and Aeolus) Quick report - the job is now safely completed. I looked long and hard at both options (slide and relocation) and decided that the slide would be the easier/quicker solution (although arguably not the best long-term). Securing the slide so it would not move when 27kgs were applied in either direction required careful thought and some experimentation but was finally quite easily achieved. I used a board wedged vertically between the engine block and the air filter at the back of the engine and 3 supporting blocks screwed to the slide and resting on the panel in front of the engine. These gave both clearance above the engine and a more gentle slope for the new battery. I've attached a photo of the final arrangement, after the old battery was removed.
	Roger High Time (415 #038)

pdc78 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 27 May 2016 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 142	Post Options Post Reply Quote pdc78 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 September 2025 at 15:11
	Good job Roger. Well executed.
	H345 #269

32mike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 26 March 2020 Location: FLorida, US Status: Offline Points: 453	Post Options Post Reply Quote 32mike Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 September 2025 at 18:36
	I’ll second the “Good job Roger!” I wish I would have thought of that. I think I actually did but I ended up just muscling it up there. This looks way easier. Next time.
	Mike S/V Dulces Sueños 458 #087 Tampa, FL



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