battery relocation

[spareparts]

i relocated the batteries from under the splashwell to the in floor fish box, gave me a nice place for storage and accesories

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/v-20015.jpg
original location of the batteries
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/v-20016.jpg
in floor fish box
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/v-20020.jpg
cleaned out the bilge
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/v-20018.jpg
glassed in a shelf
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/v-20021.jpg
painted everything up nice
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/batterycompartment001.jpg
put a bilge pump in the aft bilge
more pictures to come

[spareparts]

more pictures
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/batterycomnpartment5.jpg
batteries in place
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/bilgepumpfuelfilter.jpg
Bilge pump and switch
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/storagebox.jpg
storage box for odds and ends
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/mycrew.jpg
helpfull crew

[randlemanboater]

Wow, now that is a good looking crew you got there!!!

And your work looks "Skool's Out" quality. Nice!

[spareparts]

it will look better once i get all the sawdust out, but that's the result of the next modification, to be posted later

[macojoe]

I like it, but just one thing I think I would have done different.

I don't like that fuel filter in the same space as them battery's! :o

[spareparts]

yeah, I thought about that, couldn't come up with any place better, they were both mounted in the aft splashwell together from the factory, thought about splitting the location, but the gas fumes would still get to the other compartment thru the bilge drains. The filter meets uscg regulation( as long as I keep it tight) for installation in a inclosed area. the only thing that could cause a spark would be switching the battery switch, but its uscg spark arrested,(seeen alot of new boats with simular setups) so it shouldn't give any problem, I thought about relocating the switch topside, but between the addition cable needed and the switch being open to the elements i decided against it. I'm going to install a washdown pump and trim tab pump in the same area( all are spark arested). I kept think about different ways to install it, finnally said screw it, and mounted it where it will be convienent. Everything that may need attention willbe located in the same place.

[randlemanboater]

I bet your fuel tank has an electric fuel gauge bolted right to it, I wouldn't worry about it.

[macojoe]

well if you have to you have to.

Have you thought about maybe adding a blower, Like my I/O had, you can run for a couple of min. before start up?

At the very least take the cover off the compartment before starting to let the fumes out.

When I did my conversion I stopped using the blower cause there was nothing below deck any more. (factory tanks under gunnel's)
Then I added a 25 gal spare tank were the motor is, and I now have the blower back in line, always run before I start.

Ok I shut up now!! Just wanted to suggest, for your safety :-*

[reelapeelin]

MJ's makin' some good points...and keep in mind...gas fumes are HEAVIER than air...they'll lay in there like water in a bowl ;) ...

[spareparts]

don't believe i need a blower in there, if theres gas smell in the bilge, somethings wrong, either the tank has sprung a leak, the hoses leaking, or the sender is leaking, either way, when I turn the battery switch on, I'll have the hatch off to inspect for fumes before powering up, opening the raw water sea ****, checking bilge pumps, etc...so it will probably get more notice than most boats

You should see the amount of electrical components in the gas inboard boats we sell, makes my battery switch seem like a minor issue.

[reelapeelin]

Not tryin' to beat a dead horse here and assuming all components are intact, you should be OK...it's several years down the road that might be a problem...and with the auto float switch on the bilge-pump engaging at any time...just hate for ya to go POOF :o ...

[spareparts]

auto float switch is completely sealed, it uses a mercury tube inside the foam filled float. the bilge pumps are sealed contacts as well, think about it, its the same stuff thats used in inboard and stern drive boats, they have the same type of fuel filter mounted to the engine. Those filters get a lot more heat and vibration than my application.