Quote Originally Posted by zabooda View Post
Two things to think about is 1) the batteries need to be isolated from any potential gas fumes since there is a potential spark source 2) the batteries need to be ventilated as they generate hydrogen gas. So the batteries need to be isolated from the engine compartment and be ventilated.
devils advocate as I've seen towboats with batteries in the engine compartment before. what's the difference in a boat engine compartment with a blower running and your car's engine compartment? I know that cars are "open" from the bottom, but in my last eclipse, there was so much plastic under the front of that compartment to divert air under the car it might as well have been sealed and had the battery a couple of feet from the exhaust manifold/turbo which when pushing the car hard, glow bright red from the heat.

I do agree with mmandley on the locations. I wouldn't place anything permanent in the compartment when using bags for ballast...