wish to move battery weight around

[inohv8]

Hi.<br />I have a 17 foot searay bowrider with 100 hp outboard and 40 gallon fuel tank below the floor.<br />most of the weight is at the stern. I have lots of storage space and would like to move the batteries (two) to the bow, under the bow seats.<br />I know I have to upgrade the wire guage to do this properly. I had another boat before where I helped myself out by putting on some dole fins on the anticav. plate of the outboard, but on this boat, I am installing an electric trolling motor on the Anticav. plate so now there is no room for a dole fin.. <br />I just don't want to tell everyone to lean forward while we jump some waves to get up on plane.. I have not had this boat out yet, I spent the winter re-building everything from engine to hull, I just want to balance things out for better fuel efficiency (ya right) and stability...<br />Suggestions appreciated.. <br />I am using a BAttery switch.. Oh yes, why the two batteries? well, over the winter while I was working on the boat in the garage, I tended to leave the radio on and courtesy lights on when I was done for the day.. I can see this happening while out camping and wanted a backup just in case.<br />Chears.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: wish to move battery weight around

All I can suggest is that you run 2GA wire as a minimum size for a long run like that on the cranking battery. I'd probably choose 1GA if it were me. Bigger is ALWAYS better, and the only downside is a slightly greater upfront cost. And no splices or junctions...just two unbroken wires run all the way.<br /><br />Other than that, it's just a matter of routing/concealing the wires and finding a secure and accessible location for the batteries. This is not uncommon and I think a good idea to relocate some of the weight.<br /><br />And two batteries is an excellent idea...frankly many newer boats run two batteries (or more). Especially fishing rigs with electric trolling motors...most every serious Bass boat I've seen has 3 batteries on board, and I've seen a few with 4.<br /><br />The only other thing I can think of that may be a concern is how are you going to keep them charged and how are you going to hook them up? If you wire them parallel you'll charge/disharge both at the same time from the motor's alternator and pretty much defeat your purpose other than getting longer life before going dead. Better would be to have one a dedicated starting battery, and the second battery connected only to your accessories, but then the second will not charge from the motor. So it will need to be charged with an auxillary charger back home. <br /><br />Here's a disadvantage...yer planning to mount them ALL the way up under the bow seats? Those batteries will get a lot more vibration and impacts from crushing waves being up there in the bow. Might shorten their lives and rock some of their plates around much more than if they were back in the more stable stern. And you'll definitely want to have them VERY securely mounted.<br /><br />You'll want to think that all through before going forward with your plan.

 

[Bondo]

Re: wish to move battery weight around

I just don't want to tell everyone to lean forward while we jump some waves to get up on plane.. I have not had this boat out yet, I spent the winter re-building everything from engine to hull, I just want to balance things out for better fuel efficiency (ya right) and stability...<br />Suggestions appreciated..

Smart Tabs,..........<br /><br />Get yourself a set of Smart Tabs.........

 

[inohv8]

Re: wish to move battery weight around

When you say smart tabs, are you saying Trim tabs?<br />If so, I may have a bit of a problem as the back of the hull is set up then the swim platform juts out behind with a cutout for the outboard.. Curious design..

 

[jason176]

Re: wish to move battery weight around

Size your wire according to amperage draw and voltage drop and make sure to put a fuse within a foot of the battery just in case your cable shorts somehow. I would probably take the boat out first to ensure that you would benefit from relocating the batteries but if you must do it now due to the fact everything is torn apart then make sure you do it right, big emphasis on wire size not just for drawing off of the batteries but also for charging them. Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Bondo]

Re: wish to move battery weight around

Originally posted by inohv8:<br /> When you say smart tabs, are you saying Trim tabs?<br />If so, I may have a bit of a problem as the back of the hull is set up then the swim platform juts out behind with a cutout for the outboard.. Curious design..

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