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A few weeks ago I started to have problems with my plotter and radio and started to get a low voltage alarm. I thought it was simply short runs, use of bait pump etc. and that since the problem had been gradual in coming that a quick voltage check both batteries was needed.The main batter without anything running gave just under 13 volts and the service battery 11.4 volts. A charger check with the engine running gave a charging rate of 14.2 volts to each battery so all seemed OK on the charging side.. A charge to the service battery would only put in just over 12.8 volts so I was suspicious that there was a battery problem, perhaps a duff cell. I then asked Dave (Coddy) to bring his state of the art charger and tester, He confirmed that the battery -showing 11.2 volts and rapidly dropping to 9 - had died. Indeed, a further test showed it had about 100th. of the cranking power of the main battery, So far. we had been able to test and recharge the batteries in situ, but it was now time to take out the service battery and battery box from its recess. The battery had cracked and the bottom of the battery box was full of electrolite/sulphuric acid. The new battery, replaced under warranty appears fine. This is the third battery that has done this to me in 40 plus years, but the first on a boat. Had it not been in a battery box, i dread to think of the possible damage. How often have we seen batteries on boats without boxes? Allan.