Battery/Gastank location - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Battery/Gastank location

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Battery/Gastank location

JimU posted 08-24-2000 03:59 PM ET (US)
I am considering locating two batterys and a gastank in the center console of my 17 foot whaler. Is this adviaable or not? What safety considerations are associated with putting batterys and gastanks together? How can I make sure I have a safe installation? Thanks, JImU
bigz posted 08-24-2000 04:06 PM ET (US)
Hey JimU --- forget it !!! battery and a gas tank don't mix in the same confined area --- even a safe installation I sure as heck wouldn't feel safe --- others will have their own opinion but that's mine ---
Regards Tom
triblet posted 08-24-2000 04:53 PM ET (US)
If you put the gas tank in the console,
you will have to install blowers and
must have a fire extinquisher.
Chuck Tribolet
JimU posted 08-24-2000 05:49 PM ET (US)
What is the better option (a) putting the gastanks in the console and locating the batteries outside the console (there are ignition switches and other electrical connections in the console)or (b) putting the batteries in the console and the gastank outside the console?
Clark Roberts posted 08-24-2000 06:24 PM ET (US)
Jim, I agree with BigZ! My advice would be the conventional locations (fuel under helm seat and battery(s) extreme stern.. you may have reasons that this won't work for you! Whatever you decide, remember that forward is rougher riding and gas tanks and batteries like a smoother ride... a friend of mine had a 36 gal. custom aluminum tank built for his Montauk and it was fitted forward of the console.. It split open on first usage (trip to Bahamas... I was behind him when it happened).. so when we got to West End Bahamas we had to gather up 6 gal portable tanks so he could continue.. the amazing thing is that he didn't blow himself and his daughter sky high.. anyway put safety first!!! Clark.. The old man and the sea
kingfish posted 08-24-2000 08:15 PM ET (US)
JimU-
Thought I'd pass something along from the peanut gallery in the event you decide you want to put the battery in the console...
Make sure you use a good battery box (goes without saying), and when you locate where you want the battery inside the console, consider cutting an opening in the console floor so that the battery (and battery box) sits on the deck of the boat. If done carefully and neatly, it can be a nice installation; you may find that you want to feed the cables from under the console floor through their own opening cut next to or as a part of the battery box cut-out. Fairly easy to tie the cover down with battery box strap or bungees, etc. from the surface of the console floor.
I had to re-attach my console floor twice from the weight of the battery bouncing on it in rough water before a local marina clued me in on this idea that I used on my last Montauk.
Good luck-
Kingfish
Ed Stone posted 08-24-2000 09:30 PM ET (US)
Hey Clark,
Montauk! Bahamas!Can we hear more about
the trip? Which Whaler from the Spruce
Creek navy was following?
Ed Stone
djmerrill posted 08-24-2000 10:16 PM ET (US)
If mounting the batteries in the console, make sure you have decent ventilation, as the gasses produced by the battery when charging (hydrogen) are corrosive. There is another thread on this site listing some pros and cons to console battery placement. Many Montauks are rigged this way, with decent results.
I seem to fight enough electrical gremlins on boats without introducing this variable, so I'm content to leave my battery in the stern, although it would float higher in the stern at rest with the battery forward.
Just my opinion.
Doug
lhg posted 08-24-2000 11:56 PM ET (US)
BW has been putting the battery in the Montauk console lately, but for the life of me I can't figure out why, except for looks and to clean up the stern area. (also saves the cost of having to supply that great BW battery box of old days). Forty years ago it was acceptable to have an exposed battery box in a boat. I guess it's not today! I always thought the console was badly needed for storage, etc. I've seen oil injection tanks in there also, and also ridiculous. For the most efficient installation, never get an engine for a Montauk that doesn't have the oil tank on the engine. The forty year old design was not meant to accomodate something called an oil injection tank! Oil tank locations have been a problem on notched transom, V-6 equipped Outrages also.
The only Whaler that had the gas UNDER (not IN) the console was the Nauset/Sakonnet mahogany series. This made a lot of sense, as the 24 gallons of gas were out of the way, but still open to the air in a portable tank, and not using up space under the seat.
bigz posted 08-25-2000 06:48 AM ET (US)
JimU, another point to consider is that when you move the starting battery forward your going to have to increase the wire size considerably -- if your using two batteries the house is fine forward but from a safety point of view would also mount that aft with the starter (carry a small set of jumpers)so that if the starter goes down you just have to do a short distance jump from the house battery -- this can also be accomplished with a 3 way battery switch --- that's a whole other wiring story though -- best to keep it simple and keep them isolated Tom
PS West Marine has what they call a battery Combiner which work electronically to charge dual batteries but still keeping each isolated --- very small and compact --- might want to look into that item to handle dual charging from you outboard
dgp posted 08-25-2000 10:11 AM ET (US)
Larry, do you recall who made the original battery box supplied with the older Montauks?
Don
JimU posted 08-25-2000 10:13 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the info. Jim
Clark Roberts posted 08-25-2000 11:25 AM ET (US)
Ed, re Bahamas and Montauk, back in the spring of 1996 we took 5 Whalers and went to Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas for a week of messing around! All from the Daytona Beach , Florida area , we trailered to Palm Beach and left from Lake Worth Inlet ... destination West End (Bahamas customs) 60 miles east across Gulf Stream. Boats were, 1988 22 outrage, 1996 21 outrage, 18'6" Outrage, 17 Montauk (115hp Evin) and my 17 Newport (90 Merc).. Good trip over but choppy and the 17's took the worst beating.. that's when the gas tank on the Montauk split a seam... From West End to Green Turtle it was very rough (over the shallow Bahama Banks) but we made it ok... my wife, Sonia doesn't ever want to do that again.. she flew home and I came back solo, leaving the others over there to fish some more.. my trip back was fantastic! I hooked up with two boats from Green Turtle to West End and then ran the Gulf Stream alone... That's when you need to know your eqpt. is in top shape.. heh, heh... I had a good radio.. long all day run at about 170 miles.. Hey, I would do it again if there was anything in the Bahamas I wanted to see again.. With any boat one must pick the optimum speed and attitude for sea conditions... part of the trip I went very slowly and other times I just let her rip!!! Trying
Ed Stone posted 08-25-2000 10:53 PM ET (US)
That is one heck of a trip!Sounds like
the 16 Newport did a fine job.Other than
getting a little wet.I had the 16ft Whaler
bass boat with 85hpYAM.I did a lot of fishing
out in the Gulf of Mexico,But I never dreamed
of taking it to the Bahamas.
Bahamas I think cruise ships.But when you
think 60 miles across your never more than
30 miles from land.I've heard the water can
get real nasty across the gulf stream.
Sounds like a great time.
Ed Stone
Clark Roberts posted 08-26-2000 06:32 AM ET (US)
Ed, it was a great trip and yes the stream can be really nasty! I wouldn't recommend that anyone take a 17 across but if long range weather forcast is good and others are along it's ok! We all switched boats along the way and I'll rate the ride and handling the way I felt it.. first off.. the best riding and handling boats were the 22 outrage and the 18'6 outrage with a very slight edge to the 22.. the 18'6" rode virtually as well and was more agile! Hard to believe!? These are my hands-on observations only.... next was the 21 Outrage (although it tended to wallow a bit when mushing into a trough.. seems the lack of sponsons made it sort of "rudder" to one side or the other when plowing into a sea). last were the two 17's as you would expect.. However, once to Green Turtle Cay, the 17's were the best for getting around, beaching etc.... Gasoline was $3 a gallon over there at that time.. wonder what it is now?? Happy Whalin ... The old Man and the Sea
lhg posted 08-26-2000 10:06 AM ET (US)
For those interested in additional Bahama crossing experiences, similar to Clark's, see some posts in "Trips" section, under "Whaler only Tournament" dated 06-16-2000.
lhg posted 08-26-2000 12:23 PM ET (US)
Don: I do not know who made Whaler's desert tan battery boxes, with Whaler logo on the cover, although one time I did see the identical same shape box in standard black.
The over-centering latch strap was made by someone else, and somewhere at home I have the literature from that manufacturer if you're interested. It's the best hold-down ever devised for a battery box!
andygere posted 08-30-2000 03:49 PM ET (US)
I have dual batteres in my Montauk, mounted aft, and carry a pair of steel 12 Gal. Tempos under my RPS. With a 15 hp kicker and 85 hp main, she sits a little lower in the stern than I would like. Nevertheless, I can't think of a better arrangement. When drift fishing, I just work from the bow to minimize splash over from following seas. I would love to replace my cheapo battery boxes and hold downs. I would welcome reccommendations for a good box/tie down system.
dgp posted 08-30-2000 04:35 PM ET (US)
Andy, both Todd and Blue Seas makes some high quality battery boxes but their smallest model is designed for 2 group 24/27 batteries. They both have web sites. Don
Sarasota Whaler posted 08-31-2000 05:08 PM ET (US)
After reading this posting I have some concerns about my set up. I recently purchased a 1974 Sakonnet. I have two 6 gal tanks in/ under the console with the battery above in on another shelf. The battery is in a box but still shifts around when running. Can someone tell me if I need to reconfigure my console for safety? What are my other alternatives since I do not want to get rid of my original reversable console and there are not other storage areas for batteries/ tanks?
Thanks
Alioop posted 09-03-2000 08:08 PM ET (US)
The battery strap is made by Kevlok Tucson,Arizona. This strap is very strong and the best strap I have found to hold down a battery. It does not dry out and rot like the straps that come with a battery box and it's latch is strong and made from stainless.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Battery/Gastank location
JimU	posted 08-24-2000 03:59 PM ET (US) I am considering locating two batterys and a gastank in the center console of my 17 foot whaler. Is this adviaable or not? What safety considerations are associated with putting batterys and gastanks together? How can I make sure I have a safe installation? Thanks, JImU
bigz	posted 08-24-2000 04:06 PM ET (US) Hey JimU --- forget it !!! battery and a gas tank don't mix in the same confined area --- even a safe installation I sure as heck wouldn't feel safe --- others will have their own opinion but that's mine --- Regards Tom
triblet	posted 08-24-2000 04:53 PM ET (US) If you put the gas tank in the console, you will have to install blowers and must have a fire extinquisher. Chuck Tribolet
JimU	posted 08-24-2000 05:49 PM ET (US) What is the better option (a) putting the gastanks in the console and locating the batteries outside the console (there are ignition switches and other electrical connections in the console)or (b) putting the batteries in the console and the gastank outside the console?
Clark Roberts	posted 08-24-2000 06:24 PM ET (US) Jim, I agree with BigZ! My advice would be the conventional locations (fuel under helm seat and battery(s) extreme stern.. you may have reasons that this won't work for you! Whatever you decide, remember that forward is rougher riding and gas tanks and batteries like a smoother ride... a friend of mine had a 36 gal. custom aluminum tank built for his Montauk and it was fitted forward of the console.. It split open on first usage (trip to Bahamas... I was behind him when it happened).. so when we got to West End Bahamas we had to gather up 6 gal portable tanks so he could continue.. the amazing thing is that he didn't blow himself and his daughter sky high.. anyway put safety first!!! Clark.. The old man and the sea
kingfish	posted 08-24-2000 08:15 PM ET (US) JimU- Thought I'd pass something along from the peanut gallery in the event you decide you want to put the battery in the console... Make sure you use a good battery box (goes without saying), and when you locate where you want the battery inside the console, consider cutting an opening in the console floor so that the battery (and battery box) sits on the deck of the boat. If done carefully and neatly, it can be a nice installation; you may find that you want to feed the cables from under the console floor through their own opening cut next to or as a part of the battery box cut-out. Fairly easy to tie the cover down with battery box strap or bungees, etc. from the surface of the console floor. I had to re-attach my console floor twice from the weight of the battery bouncing on it in rough water before a local marina clued me in on this idea that I used on my last Montauk. Good luck- Kingfish
Ed Stone	posted 08-24-2000 09:30 PM ET (US) Hey Clark, Montauk! Bahamas!Can we hear more about the trip? Which Whaler from the Spruce Creek navy was following? Ed Stone
djmerrill	posted 08-24-2000 10:16 PM ET (US) If mounting the batteries in the console, make sure you have decent ventilation, as the gasses produced by the battery when charging (hydrogen) are corrosive. There is another thread on this site listing some pros and cons to console battery placement. Many Montauks are rigged this way, with decent results. I seem to fight enough electrical gremlins on boats without introducing this variable, so I'm content to leave my battery in the stern, although it would float higher in the stern at rest with the battery forward. Just my opinion. Doug
lhg	posted 08-24-2000 11:56 PM ET (US) BW has been putting the battery in the Montauk console lately, but for the life of me I can't figure out why, except for looks and to clean up the stern area. (also saves the cost of having to supply that great BW battery box of old days). Forty years ago it was acceptable to have an exposed battery box in a boat. I guess it's not today! I always thought the console was badly needed for storage, etc. I've seen oil injection tanks in there also, and also ridiculous. For the most efficient installation, never get an engine for a Montauk that doesn't have the oil tank on the engine. The forty year old design was not meant to accomodate something called an oil injection tank! Oil tank locations have been a problem on notched transom, V-6 equipped Outrages also. The only Whaler that had the gas UNDER (not IN) the console was the Nauset/Sakonnet mahogany series. This made a lot of sense, as the 24 gallons of gas were out of the way, but still open to the air in a portable tank, and not using up space under the seat.
bigz	posted 08-25-2000 06:48 AM ET (US) JimU, another point to consider is that when you move the starting battery forward your going to have to increase the wire size considerably -- if your using two batteries the house is fine forward but from a safety point of view would also mount that aft with the starter (carry a small set of jumpers)so that if the starter goes down you just have to do a short distance jump from the house battery -- this can also be accomplished with a 3 way battery switch --- that's a whole other wiring story though -- best to keep it simple and keep them isolated Tom PS West Marine has what they call a battery Combiner which work electronically to charge dual batteries but still keeping each isolated --- very small and compact --- might want to look into that item to handle dual charging from you outboard
dgp	posted 08-25-2000 10:11 AM ET (US) Larry, do you recall who made the original battery box supplied with the older Montauks? Don
JimU	posted 08-25-2000 10:13 AM ET (US) Thanks for the info. Jim
Clark Roberts	posted 08-25-2000 11:25 AM ET (US) Ed, re Bahamas and Montauk, back in the spring of 1996 we took 5 Whalers and went to Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas for a week of messing around! All from the Daytona Beach , Florida area , we trailered to Palm Beach and left from Lake Worth Inlet ... destination West End (Bahamas customs) 60 miles east across Gulf Stream. Boats were, 1988 22 outrage, 1996 21 outrage, 18'6" Outrage, 17 Montauk (115hp Evin) and my 17 Newport (90 Merc).. Good trip over but choppy and the 17's took the worst beating.. that's when the gas tank on the Montauk split a seam... From West End to Green Turtle it was very rough (over the shallow Bahama Banks) but we made it ok... my wife, Sonia doesn't ever want to do that again.. she flew home and I came back solo, leaving the others over there to fish some more.. my trip back was fantastic! I hooked up with two boats from Green Turtle to West End and then ran the Gulf Stream alone... That's when you need to know your eqpt. is in top shape.. heh, heh... I had a good radio.. long all day run at about 170 miles.. Hey, I would do it again if there was anything in the Bahamas I wanted to see again.. With any boat one must pick the optimum speed and attitude for sea conditions... part of the trip I went very slowly and other times I just let her rip!!! Trying
Ed Stone	posted 08-25-2000 10:53 PM ET (US) That is one heck of a trip!Sounds like the 16 Newport did a fine job.Other than getting a little wet.I had the 16ft Whaler bass boat with 85hpYAM.I did a lot of fishing out in the Gulf of Mexico,But I never dreamed of taking it to the Bahamas. Bahamas I think cruise ships.But when you think 60 miles across your never more than 30 miles from land.I've heard the water can get real nasty across the gulf stream. Sounds like a great time. Ed Stone
Clark Roberts	posted 08-26-2000 06:32 AM ET (US) Ed, it was a great trip and yes the stream can be really nasty! I wouldn't recommend that anyone take a 17 across but if long range weather forcast is good and others are along it's ok! We all switched boats along the way and I'll rate the ride and handling the way I felt it.. first off.. the best riding and handling boats were the 22 outrage and the 18'6 outrage with a very slight edge to the 22.. the 18'6" rode virtually as well and was more agile! Hard to believe!? These are my hands-on observations only.... next was the 21 Outrage (although it tended to wallow a bit when mushing into a trough.. seems the lack of sponsons made it sort of "rudder" to one side or the other when plowing into a sea). last were the two 17's as you would expect.. However, once to Green Turtle Cay, the 17's were the best for getting around, beaching etc.... Gasoline was $3 a gallon over there at that time.. wonder what it is now?? Happy Whalin ... The old Man and the Sea
lhg	posted 08-26-2000 10:06 AM ET (US) For those interested in additional Bahama crossing experiences, similar to Clark's, see some posts in "Trips" section, under "Whaler only Tournament" dated 06-16-2000.
lhg	posted 08-26-2000 12:23 PM ET (US) Don: I do not know who made Whaler's desert tan battery boxes, with Whaler logo on the cover, although one time I did see the identical same shape box in standard black. The over-centering latch strap was made by someone else, and somewhere at home I have the literature from that manufacturer if you're interested. It's the best hold-down ever devised for a battery box!
andygere	posted 08-30-2000 03:49 PM ET (US) I have dual batteres in my Montauk, mounted aft, and carry a pair of steel 12 Gal. Tempos under my RPS. With a 15 hp kicker and 85 hp main, she sits a little lower in the stern than I would like. Nevertheless, I can't think of a better arrangement. When drift fishing, I just work from the bow to minimize splash over from following seas. I would love to replace my cheapo battery boxes and hold downs. I would welcome reccommendations for a good box/tie down system.
dgp	posted 08-30-2000 04:35 PM ET (US) Andy, both Todd and Blue Seas makes some high quality battery boxes but their smallest model is designed for 2 group 24/27 batteries. They both have web sites. Don
Sarasota Whaler	posted 08-31-2000 05:08 PM ET (US) After reading this posting I have some concerns about my set up. I recently purchased a 1974 Sakonnet. I have two 6 gal tanks in/ under the console with the battery above in on another shelf. The battery is in a box but still shifts around when running. Can someone tell me if I need to reconfigure my console for safety? What are my other alternatives since I do not want to get rid of my original reversable console and there are not other storage areas for batteries/ tanks? Thanks
Alioop	posted 09-03-2000 08:08 PM ET (US) The battery strap is made by Kevlok Tucson,Arizona. This strap is very strong and the best strap I have found to hold down a battery. It does not dry out and rot like the straps that come with a battery box and it's latch is strong and made from stainless.