---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 183.420"
title: "33"
number: "183.420"
heading: "Batteries."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/183.420"
---

# §183.420. Batteries.

- (a) Each installed battery must not move more than one inch in any direction when a pulling force of 90 pounds or twice the battery weight, whichever is less, is applied through the center of gravity of the battery as follows:
  - (1) **Vertically for a duration of one minute.**
  - (2) Horizontally and parallel to the boat's center line for a duration of one minute fore and one minute aft.
  - (3) Horizontally and perpendicular to the boat's center line for a duration of one minute to starboard and one minute to port.
- (b) Each battery must be installed so that metallic objects cannot come in contact with the ungrounded battery terminals.
- (c) Each metallic fuel line and fuel system component within 12 inches and above the horizontal plane of the battery top surface as installed must be shielded with dielectric material.
- (d) Each battery must not be directly above or below a fuel tank, fuel filter, or fitting in a fuel line.
- (e) A vent system or other means must be provided to permit the discharge from the boat of hydrogen gas released by the battery.
- (f) [Reserved]
- (g) Each battery terminal connector must not depend on spring tension for its mechanical connection to the terminal.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 73-217, 42 FR 5944, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 81-092, 48 FR 55736, Dec. 15, 1983]

### Source

Source: CGD 73-217, 42 FR 5944, Jan. 31, 1977, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 4302; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. II, (92)(b). Subpart E is also authorized by Pub. L. 114-120, 130 Stat. 27

### Source

Source: CGD 72-61R, 37 FR 15782, Aug. 4, 1972, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 73-217, 42 FR 5944, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 81-092, 48 FR 55736, Dec. 15, 1983]