ballast, dual battery and mounting questions......

[CFD3Captain]

So I am in the process of installing my second battery in my 192 and I thought I had it all figured out where I wanted everything. I had cable lengths figured out etc........Well this morning I thought I would take my new ballast bag out of the box and test fit. The "original" plan was to use two bags on the seats, but I now think that at least one bag can stay in the rear compartment, thus saving precious seating and room on the boat. The problem is the bag won't fit with how I had the batteries situated.

Are there spots on the floor of the compartment that I can NOT put a screw? I want to move one the trays up from where the original tray is and I wasn't sure if I could put a screw in. I guess I don't know how much room is under the compartment and the bottom of the boat. Obviously I would use the shortest screw possible, I just don't want a hole in the bottom of the boat LOL.

Here is a picture of my plan......the contingency plan is to install one on the starboard side which I really don't want to do for the sake of wiring and cost of wiring. (i've spent too much already)

And since seeing the picture I took, you can't tell, but there is a lip or step up that starts at about half the right tray. This is the area I wasn't sure about putting two screws. You can kind of see that from the middle of the right tray left, there is a gap, but it meets the tabs of the second tray perfect.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Can you put the batteries inline and let the bag go on the back side of the batteries? Shouldn't hurt the bag.

 

[CFD3Captain]

Yes, that may work. I hadn't looked at that because I was trying to keep the batteries back and "out of the way". I was just trying to keep the space as useable as possible and with a battery right under the seat it defeats that. I think the anchor light is mounted up higher on the other side and if so I'll check the length of its mounting screws.

 

[David D]

Are there spots on the floor of the compartment that I can NOT put a screw? View attachment 20807

I've got a similar question about screw placement - in general. I want to add a dimmer switch (LEDs) and fuse block, for example, but just have an overall question (doubt) about where it's safe to put them. I just picked up my boat -- when it stops raining I'll get out there and start looking around. Maybe I'll figure it out by just looking, but if anyone has guidance, I'm all ears.

@CFD3Captain, maybe we'll see you on the water this summer. Where do you usually go? Seneca is close to you, isn't it?

 

[CFD3Captain]

@David D we plan to give Seneca a few goes this year. We've never been there so it may become our "home" lake but normally Salt Fork is where we go.

 

[CFD3Captain]

Any problems with the bag pushing against the batteries?? Also want to add that is air and not water , so maybe the bag is bulged a little more than it would if it had water in it

 

[jcyamaharider]

The bag will actually bulge and grow more with water in it. Just make sure no sharp corners. I have my batteries in battery boxes and my bags pushed against those last year.

 

[CFD3Captain]

I took the dremel to all the screws protruding from the rub rail and cut a piece of carpet that will cover all of them. Waiting for warmer weather to glue it in. I'm just afraid of the bag pushing on them.

I remove a screw from the anchor light bracket on the other side and it's very long. Kind of surprised me actually lol. I do like the layout with the batteries inline but not the bag pushing on them.

 

[jawsf16]

Definitely box them. I actually moved my batteries forward to avoid direct contact....

 

[jcyamaharider]

Yeah battery boxes are 18 bucks or so, plus it makes the batteries cost guard approved