battries ?

sidelock · #1 08-16-2012, 05:57 PM

Putting two AGM battries in the front fishbox of an 18 ' SF. for a 24v electric trolling motor & they will be in individual battery boxes . Should they be tied/strapped down to the hull ? The only surface a tie down strap could be atached to is the fishbox liner & it would have to be self tapping screws since there is no access to get nuts on the end of machine screws.

BigLew · #2 08-16-2012, 10:02 PM

Temporary or permanent? Temporary- wedge them into the fishbox with some pieces of 3/4" sheet foam insulation. Permanent- Anchor them down with through bolts in the fishbox - IF that is where you want them to ultimately be or find another final resting spot.

sidelock · #3 08-16-2012, 10:48 PM

Can't use through bolts ! The fishbox has a liner & its the most practical place for them to be.

oldfielder · #4 08-17-2012, 07:25 AM

You could use an adhesive like 4200 to mount some strips of 3/4 in the box and then screw the boxes down to thoses. You could always remove them easily the and not need to screw into the liner. That section gets the most impact so you want them secure for sure.

CaptMick · #5 08-17-2012, 04:06 PM

If your 18 is like mine (1985) you could strap them horizontal rather then vertical. Drill though the fish box on the face towards the transom. Use a finish washer one the bolt so the head looks clean where you see it sticking out at the step up in front of the console. then the nut on the inside. So the batteries would be strapped to the aft wall of the fish box.

Or use trays and self tapping screws unto the bottom of the box with a healthy amount of 4200. That is how I moved my batteries into the space below the console seat. I bought two boxes but only put the lids on the top of the battery so when we put gear in that compartment nothing hits the top of the batteries.

Again though, is it permanent or temporary and do you want to use the fish box again as a fish box.

sidelock · #6 08-17-2012, 04:33 PM

I had another good look @ the fishbox today & came up with another idea. I thought about fabricating a topless box for the batteries out of 3/4" ply wood & make the front pannel high enough so that it butts/wedges up tight to the underside & across the port & starbord drain channels . The forward pannel of the box will also be traced & cut to fit the contour/sides of the fish box/hull so that it will not be able to move/shift forward because of the bow taper .
The pieces of the box will obviously have to be assemble inside the fishbox .
But that was before I read the last two posts !
oldfielder solution sounds a lot easier/simpler quick fix without drilling any holes & I may go that route if the 4200 will hold it all together.

oldfielder · #7 08-17-2012, 05:54 PM

the 4200 will hold as long as you don't mind scuffing up and getting some adhesion on the gelcoat in the box. I'm guessing it is kind of funky in there already.
Mick's solution would look nice too. Finish washers have a way of making everything look good. At least with the 4200 you could get it out with some elbow grease. It really depends whether you want to McGuiver it or do a nice permanent install.
What did you do with the other battery issue? It's part of the deal that you have to keep us informed once you get us involved-well, not really.

sidelock · #8 08-17-2012, 06:10 PM

The fishbox is very clean as a matter of fact this boat is in unbelievable shape for a 1975. I'm just pimping it out a little with some cosmetic upgrades & new dash & gauges. I will take some pics & get my nephew to post them at some point in time.
At the present time since I don't have any expensive electronics, I'm just going to keep things simple & hook up the two batteries for the minn kota & keep the starting battery in the transom for the motor. In the future, as you suggested , I plan to buy the "add a battery" kit & put another battery in the console dedicated to the electronics & married to the starting battery with the add a battery unit. I will also purchase an on board three bank battery charger & hook two banks to the minn kota battries & the other to the house/electronics & starting battery circuit. (any advice/recommandations on chargers would be appreciated).
I also like CaptMick's idea of strapping them on horizontally with through bolts & finish washers but I don't know it that would prevent them from bouncing & banging the deck in rough seas. I guess if I drill four holes in the fishbox bulkhead I can strap them both horizontally & vertically . I just hate drilling holes in a boat.