Slow time for dumb questions

[dadsaway]

Things are a little dry lately on this forum so I'm hoping all is well with everyone and now is a good time to ask a couple of dumb questions.

1. My 1996 Trophy 2002FF has access on the port side for the battery and access for the oil resevoir on the starboard side. Has anyone found room for a second battery?

2. My fishwells fill with rainwater (big suprise) despite the Taco seals. Do the Rabud scuppers that are the rave help by keeping backwash out or do they allow for easier passage of rainwater exiting the boat? I don't notice any water coming in when I deccelarate and was wondering if the advantages are in allowing water to drain out better. Pics of newer boats show hinged fishwell covers and I believe lower exits to the scuppers than the 1996 models.

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks

 

[Tiki35]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

I am very surprised that there aren't 2 batteries installed from the factory. I have the exact same boat, but slightly older. Yes, there is room for two batteries. My oil reservoir goes on top of my battery cover on the starboard side and my battery switch is on the port side.

I changed the scuppers on my boat too because when standing near the stern of the boat, water did come in the scuppers, so they are very effective at keeping water out. The fishwells are a bad design and most of the water that fills them up is rain water and you pretty much live with that. My fishwell pump actually is very good at removing nearly all of that water and the remaining tiny bit that is left, I just use a wet vac to remove it.

 

[dadsaway]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

Thanks for the reply Tiki35. I'll give thought to the scuppers when I pull the boat out in the fall. I will also keep my eye out for a Trophy around my year to see how the factory set up is. Each hatch on my boat has a wire shelf, one to support the oil resevoir on the starboard side, and one to support the battery on the port side. It appears original with no trace of anyone modifying it. Is there a battery on each side of your boat with the starboard side battery under the oil resevoir? I wonder if two batteries was an option back in 1996. I appreciate any feedback you may have. Thank you.

 

[Tiki35]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

Hi, two shelves huh?
Yes, there is one battery on each side of my 1991 Trophy, with the oil reservoir on the starboard side on top of the starboard battery. But there are no shelves so I can see why you are puzzled. I also had a 2000 Trophy and the oil tank was behind the driver's side panel just forward of the helm seat. There was an access panel of course.

 

[dadsaway]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

Tiki35- Thanks for the timely reply. I understand now how the two battery set-up can be configured. I don't think it will be all that difficult to make a battery box for the starboard side battery, extend battery cables underneath the spash area, and install the switch on the port side. I like the insurance of a second battery. I really appreciate your help with this.

 

[Tiki35]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

We have the exact same boat Dadsaway, so if you ever need any ideas about things you can do to your boat, let me know. I have installed hydraulic steering, Bennett trim tabs with electronic indicator, gorgeous coaming pads, new VHF with DSC, high capacity bilge pump, and more. If you want to exchange emails, I could send you pictures.

Mike

 

[dadsaway]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

Thank you for your generous offer Tiki35, it is nice to get some knowledgeable support. This is my second season with my Trophy and I coudn't be happpier. I got it last spring for a fair price and did a lot of mechanical and electrical work to offset some prior owner's neglect. It is powered by a 175 hp Mercury outboard with the hydraulic steering and coming off a 3.0 Mercruiser, these outboard really have a lot more giddy-up to them. I like the extra features that you have (padded sides are golden), and with time and $$$ some of them will come. We're off for a weeks vacation tomorrow and I can't wait to wake up a striped bass that are abounding here in New York now when I return. Look forward to sharing some war stories and advice in the future. Tight lines.

 

[Tiki35]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

PM sent.

 

[dadsaway]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

Tiki35- Spring is here and one thing I want to do is install a second battery on my '96 2002FF. I can't find anyone in my area that has my boat to look at so I am leaning on you for some assistance. On the starboard side there is a vinyl covered steel shelf that supports the oil resevoir and just less than nine inches under that. I assume that is the space that holds a battery box and battery. Presently that seems a little tight for a battery and I might have to raise the shelf a bit and I will have to re-route some cables and wiring harness to allow for a new battery. I assume that I will run the battery cables to the port side and install a MBSS switch on that port side inside the port hatch. Based on what you have does this seem like I am on target? Thank you (and of course anyone else with a similar boat) for any assistance.

 

[JohnQ-FWB]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

My 1995 (same as your 1996) came from the factory with only one battery, I wanted two, with a Perko cutoff switch. I basically installed my second "Accessory Battery" under the Oil Tank platform. Couple of small problems that I ran across.
1. Difficult to work in that area because the oil tank doesn't quite fit either above on the deck or balanced in the splash well. The lines are not long enough.
2. Once I had the oil tank balanced, I mounted a battery box with a hold down strap on the platform, just like the original battery on the other side. It was a reach to screw in the tie down strap anchor.
3. If you have not replaced the original steering cable, it can be push up into the corner a bit more, highly recommend doing that.
4. The oil tank platform is mounted using two clip around the round structure of the platform. Each clip is secured with 2 screws apiece. BE VERY CAREFUL, because those 4 stainless steel screws have been trained at the factory to ESCAPE into the Bowels of your boat, have at least 4 spares handy!!!! I used the original Upper Screw Hole as the new bottom for securing the clips, then put in new upper holes/screws. That raised the platform just enough for it to be able to swing up (when the oil tank is out) to be able to take the battery in and out. Kind of a complicated explanation so I hope you understand it because it is well worth the effort to be able to take a battery in and out without LOSING THOSE #$%^&* Stainless Steel Mounting Screws, especially when you have already lost at least a dozen.

 

[dadsaway]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

JohnQ-FWB- Thank you for your speedy and informative reply. Too bad stainless isn't magnetic. We could really unweight our boats. Lots of threads on various wiring choices for the disconnect switch. I thought I would find room on the port side for an MBSS and just leave the bilge pump hot all the time. Do you switch to both batteries with the engine running? I have a '96 Mercury 175 hp and was not clear on whether that could damage the charging system. Thanks for your input.

 

[JohnQ-FWB]

Re: Slow time for dumb questions

JohnQ-FWB- Thank you for your speedy and informative reply. Too bad stainless isn't magnetic. We could really unweight our boats. Lots of threads on various wiring choices for the disconnect switch. I thought I would find room on the port side for an MBSS and just leave the bilge pump hot all the time. Do you switch to both batteries with the engine running? I have a '96 Mercury 175 hp and was not clear on whether that could damage the charging system. Thanks for your input.

Nope, haven't seen a need to switch since the alternator charges both when I have the Perko on "BOTH" which is the usual position I leave it in. The way I have my NMEA Lowrance BackBone network wired is HOT when the Perko is on and is OFF when the Perko is OFF. Easier for an old fart like me to remember, i.e., One Off Thingey, that way I don't kill too many batteries.