VsteveV Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 For my winter project this year I want to re locate the tm batteries to the large bow hatch. Is there anyone that has done this that can share info? 07 18rf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 I do not think that is a great location for battries due to the amount of bounce. The battery boxes will need to be heavy duty. The floor of the box may need to be stiffened up. If you have lead acid battries plan on spending extra time cleaning the tops of the battries just form around the caps. The guy I bought my pathfinder from took the easy approach when he installed the trolling motor. He placed three battries and a huge carger in the bow hatch. In less than two years when I bought the boat the battery boxes were busted. The battries were moving around, it was a mess . I am sure the battries could be mounted up there proper. I would over engineer the mounting box for start. I just don't like the idea of the weight up there nor the constant up and down the battries have to endure in the bow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMB MEGALOPS Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 On 11/9/2017 at 8:23 AM, VsteveV said: For my winter project this year I want to re locate the tm batteries to the large bow hatch. Is there anyone that has done this that can share info? 07 18rf I'm not sure on the 18RF, but on the 18 MA's here what came from the factory. They fit nice and they're out of the way. I don't see why you couldn't do this on the RF unless a cross stringer or something would inhibit the depth needed for a drop in, below deck box. Weekend W has a good point though. Make sure that it's done right as the box takes the most pounding. Here's the box on the 2003 18 MA I had. Side note if you do this though. There was no drain hole in battery box. If water ever got in that compartment it would get down in the bottom and sit against the batteries which I didn't like at all. You can put a drain in the bottom that would just drain into the bilge or you would have to make the lid water tight. The MA's didn't have a good lid for the drop in box IMO. I replaced all the bulb seals on all my main hatches which was great. Good luck and post pics. There was another guy on here who custom built a really nice bow drop in box you may want to search for that thread. I think it was to replace an existing MA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VsteveV Posted November 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 The bin stays relatively dry and with sealed batteries you think I would need to worry about leaks? I was just going to attach a beefed up version of battery trays, with lids, to the bottom and run my wire. My goal is to have a little more proportional stance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jscann Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 I did this to my 05 maverick hpx/bonesfisher. Did it in a weekend. Made sure the floor was sturdy enough and properly mounted battery trays and straps. I’m using amg batteries now but my lead acids lasted 2 years before I️ changed them out cause of age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted November 12, 2017 Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 Why not use gel batteries that are much lighter and better with vibration issues , more costly but less issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VsteveV Posted November 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2017 How much distance is there between the bottom of the bin and the hull? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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