Has anyone moved TM batteries to forward hatch

[redheadflyer]

I have 05 SV2100CC with TM batteries and batt charger mounted under the center console. Its very stern heavy with a 200 HPDI, dual cranking batteries, fuel, livewell, etc.  With full down trim she still rides very nose high, but I have trim tabs so I can correct. However, I'd like to move TM batteries and charger to forward hatch and rewire leaving existing wiring in place. The reason I'm considering this is I'd like to mount power pole/talon...I'm just trying to push some weight forward so I'm not even more stern heavy.

Questions:

1. Is forward hatch strong enough to support weight of batteries without additional supports?
2. Should I add a vent for ventilation or just leave hatch cracked when charging?
3. Wiring should be less than 5 ft. I have a 24V 80# TM...6 GA or 8 GA wire?

BONUS QUESTION: I've heard that some folks have run 12V fishfinders off TM batteries connected in series (24V) by connecting to just one batt...anyone have experience with that? 

I appreciate anyone's experience or opinions. Have a great new year

 

[Juan]

First: Welcome to the forum.
2nd, the answer to the Bonus Question is Yes, you can run off of your negative side of the series circuit and achieve 12 volts with out any problems but I wouldn't recommend it if what ever you're hooking up to it draws much amperage... Your trolling motor draws an equal amount of voltage from both batteries and if one goes down before the other because of the additional draw, the trolling motor will probably slow or quit running sooner than it normally would. But the amperage draw on one fish finder isn't much and you might not notice any difference in performance.

3rd: Question #1 : I carry a heavy tool box and an offshore tackle box that's full of lead in the forward hatch of my 04 and I'm pretty sure they weigh as much or more than the trolling motor batteries, so since your 05 is the same set up, I'd say you could move the batteries without any weight issue... the forward hatch is large, and the batteries are going to get a lot more force applied to them at the bow as compared to the console, so you'd need to mount a couple of battery trays to keep the batteries stationary.

4th: Question #2 : I don't think you need a vent for the batteries. The forward hatch isn't air tight. If you really wanted to add a vent, you could mount a seat base just in front of the hatch lid and kill two birds with one stone.

5th: Question #3 : 8 GA wire will work but bigger really is better when it applies to voltage. I'd use the 6 GA.

Now for the disclaimer: I don't understand why you are having weight distribution problems..Although I only have a 150 on mine, (it is a 4 stroke and probably as heavy as the 200)..and I have the same set up you described plus the extra weight of a tower and power pole and have no problems with the bow riding high... Just wondering if adjusting your motor height might solve the problem.

[redheadflyer]

Juan, thanks for the welcome and the comments. You're spot on. I don't really think I have a weight problem, it just feels like it rides more nose high than my 99 SV2100 w/ 150. But that was a few years ago and it might all in my head!!! I've checked the motor height and cavation plate is not submerged when running. Maybe a jackplate one of these days. Any way, I think moving TM batts/charger forward is going to be my winter project. Thanks again for the comments.

[985crabs]

Red,

I don't have the same boat, but I have mine setup as you propose. I have 2 really-freaking-heavy AGM TM batteries strapped to a tray under my front fishing deck. They are sealed, but I generally open the hatch while charging. My 2-bank charger is mounted vertically on the rear bulkhead of the anchor well just forward of the batteries. An amazing feat of engineering and patience that job was!

I have a 150 on a 19-foot hull and 2 batteries back there too. I wanted to distribute some weight.

I don't think I'd wire a fish TV to a TM circuit. I read something somewhere about how fish TVs require "clean" power and TMs create electrical "noise" so the should be isolated. I want to put a forward FF in, but I haven't screwed up enough courage to try to get power from the console up there yet.

Good luck,

Crabs

[Simple Man]

Dec 31, 2014 18:11:04 GMT -6 Juan said:

First: Welcome to the forum.
2nd, the answer to the Bonus Question is Yes, you can run off of your negative side of the series circuit and achieve 12 volts with out any problems but I wouldn't recommend it if what ever you're hooking up to it draws much amperage... Your trolling motor draws an equal amount of voltage from both batteries and if one goes down before the other because of the additional draw, the trolling motor will probably slow or quit running sooner than it normally would. But the amperage draw on one fish finder isn't much and you might not notice any difference in performance.

3rd: Question #1 : I carry a heavy tool box and an offshore tackle box that's full of lead in the forward hatch of my 04 and I'm pretty sure they weigh as much or more than the trolling motor batteries, so since your 05 is the same set up, I'd say you could move the batteries without any weight issue... the forward hatch is large, and the batteries are going to get a lot more force applied to them at the bow as compared to the console, so you'd need to mount a couple of battery trays to keep the batteries stationary.

4th: Question #2 : I don't think you need a vent for the batteries. The forward hatch isn't air tight. If you really wanted to add a vent, you could mount a seat base just in front of the hatch lid and kill two birds with one stone.

5th: Question #3 : 8 GA wire will work but bigger really is better when it applies to voltage. I'd use the 6 GA.

Now for the disclaimer: I don't understand why you are having weight distribution problems..Although I only have a 150 on mine, (it is a 4 stroke and probably as heavy as the 200)..and I have the same set up you described plus the extra weight of a tower and power pole and have no problems with the bow riding high... Just wondering if adjusting your motor height might solve the problem.

X2. I agree with Juan on all points which is kind of spooky!
Welcome again. My front depth finder is powered off one of my TM batts. It was on my previous boat too. Zero issues.

[mosquito13]

I have a 2002 sv2100
3 d24's and a three bank up font uses up most of the space. No issues .

[freezerfiller]

All good advice above. Make sure you secure the batteries well. They take much more of a beating up there. You will want to run your ff to a different battery to prevent electrical noise. Welcome to the forum.

[mosquito13]

Finally snapped a pic. 2002 sv2100 got a three bank mounted forward of the batteries. Not much room left up there but it really helped balancing out the boat . 2002 150 so I did relocate the remote oil tank  to center council, more for ease of access ...Still have my two house batteries in the rear , could move them to the center ....naaa I do not use the rear livewell or baitwell much , if you do use them, moving the bats up front will help a lot.

[Juan]

Dec 27, 2016 15:48:07 GMT -6 mosquito13 said:

2002 f150 I did relocate the oil tank to center council, more for ease of access ...

I know it's a typo but just to keep confusion to a minimum.... f150s came out in 04 and if it has an oil tank, it's probably a 2 stroke.

[Thefish561]