Battery Mount in 170CC

[camshaft]

A 170 is a fairly small boat but I wouldn't want to have to paddle it anywhere. A second battery is never a bad idea. I have a second Trojan deep cell marine battery that I use for my trolling motor. I keep it independent of my starting system but could use it in a pinch (fortunately I also have rope starter for my Evinrude outboard if all else fails). I have a DC with the comfort consoles and put the deep cell in the front locker of the port console and use a battery tray with stainless posts to keep it solid in heavy chop. I didn't use the rear port seat locker because I wanted to keep the weight towards the middle of the boat but a battery will fit there.

[Dash703]

I have a 170CC that I modified by adding a battery switch, second battery, and fuse panel, with little trouble.

I mounted the battery switch high on the transom wall in the same starboard compartment the original battery was installed.

I then ran a second set of battery cables from the number two position of the battery switch and the ground of the first battery to the center console compartment. I also ran a cable from the center tap of the battery switch to a fuse box I mounted in the center console.

In the center console I mounted a second enclosed battery box for the second battery.
The only problem I had was trying to work through the small access panel in the front of the center console. On the newer 170CC's the access is in the rear. I don't know if that make it any harder or easier to install it through there.

The reason I installed a fuse panel was to run my additional electronics through. Marine radio, combo chartplotter/depth finder, and in the near future, horn, and LED courtesy, and baitwell lights.

I'll post pictures later.

- Jack

[quote=moretodaythanyesterday] Mine is in the starboard compartment also in a box. Any body ever considered or converted to a dual battery set up with battery switch inside the console?

[TI Frank]

Hey Guys,
Funny you should mention that......I just ordered a few things for my 17CC Triumph since I am downsizing....just my humble opinion but I think it depends on where you boat. I personally need dual batteries for the same reasons some of you mentioned. Stereo, Fishfinder, Marine radio etc........I also fish in some salt water creeks in NJ that would be real tough to get back. Some are 6-8 miles to the Delaware Bay. I want the comfort of knowing that I have the backup power if I need it. For the record, I'm getting another battery, Perko switch and cables and installation for about $225.
Just my two cents but I think it's a good safety feature to have. Tight lines......
Frank

[woodNfish]

I have a 170 bass and I have 3 batteries. My cranking battery is in the rear box. It used to be in a plastic box, but I didn't see the use in that and it usually just ended up full of water after a rain or wet ride so I took it out. It was very hard getting it in and out with all the wires in that box anyway. I use the strap to hold down just the battery now. I also have my onboard charger in that box.

Under my console I have two large deep-draw trolling batteries. These are the batteries that are the length of 1 1/2 regular batteries, but the same width. It is a tight fit and I can't strap them down, but there is very little room for them to move anyway. I hooked them up in parallel and run my trolling motor and two fish finders off of them. I hardly use my main engine except to get where I am going to fish and then I troll for hours. The biggest problem is on wendy days when I am fighting the wind, waves, and current to fish. That is why I have the second trolling battery. I don't want to run out of juice in a tournament. And (since I also hate manual labor), I don't want to have to paddle either.

I am going to do one thing different at the end of this season though. Instead of removing the batteries from my boat and putting them on a charger in my basement, I am going to leave them in the boat on the inboard charger.

I have one question though - these are your typical "maintenance free" batteries. Is it a good idea to open them and check the water level anyway? Maybe even use some of that Thermoil in them? Anyone know the answer to that question?

woodNfish

[woodNfish]

Almot forgot - I bought my new trolling batteries at Sam'sClub for about $60 each. Beats the heck out of the $140 retail I was seeing for a single deep draw battery.

woodNfish

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by woodNfish

.

I have one question though - these are your typical "maintenance free" batteries. Is it a good idea to open them and check the water level anyway?
woodNfish

woodNfish,
If you can access the cells (are able to remove the caps) then you will need to keep an eye on the fluid level in there. Even though they are marketed as "maintenance free", the water can evaporate and will need to be replaced. If the battery is completely sealed, then there's nothing to do but keep it charged.

I hope this helps.

[woodNfish]

Thanks Chuck! I'll take a look at my batteries this afternoon before I head to the river for some fishing. Got to take advantage of the warmer weather.

woodNfish

[Tygh]

I just posted some pictures of where I put the second battery and the battery switch. I wired it so I could pull from both batteries if necessary when starting the engine (also will charge both). I can also run each one separately as well.

[PDX Dave]

Originally Posted by cagrove

I have two 12 volt deep cycle batteries under my center console for my trolling motor. If my main battery dies, I can use one of them. I know they are not designed for starting but they will get the job done in a pinch.

When I got my 170 CC in 03, it had the Motorguide 46 lb trolling motor on it and was rigged with a series 27 deep cycle in console by my dealer and a switch was added so that I could charge that battery off my outboard as well. NOW, I'm switching to a larger Motorguide which requires 24 volts. I'm curious how you fit 2 batts in the console. Are they 27 or 24 series size? ALSO, is there any problem using the existing wiring for the original 12 v setup or will I have to do things differently to hook up the new motor? Any suggestions welcomed as I am not that confident about the electrical installation and know some things can be critical (like if my 50 hp Honda's alternator can charge all the batts using the switch or if I should completely bypass it and keep it directly to the trolling motor.) I have already installed a 2 bank on board charger for the console batts. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by PDX Dave

When I got my 170 CC in 03, it had the Motorguide 46 lb trolling motor on it and was rigged with a series 27 deep cycle in console by my dealer and a switch was added so that I could charge that battery off my outboard as well. NOW, I'm switching to a larger Motorguide which requires 24 volts. I'm curious how you fit 2 batts in the console. Are they 27 or 24 series size? ALSO, is there any problem using the existing wiring for the original 12 v setup or will I have to do things differently to hook up the new motor? Any suggestions welcomed as I am not that confident about the electrical installation and know some things can be critical (like if my 50 hp Honda's alternator can charge all the batts using the switch or if I should completely bypass it and keep it directly to the trolling motor.) I have already installed a 2 bank on board charger for the console batts. Thanks for any help you can provide.

PDX Dave,
I'm not sure what guage wire you have going to your existing trolling motor. I used 6 guage marine wiring on mine. You need to have pretty large wire to handle the load of the 24 volt system. That's also a pretty far distance to run the wire (longer run equals more resistance) so the larger diameter helps there also. You will also need some kind of circuit protection...I think my motor recommended a 50 amp ciruit breaker. That's what I have. As for charging, I think Dick at Merritt Marine addressed the issue of using the motor alternator to charge your trolling motor batteries. He said that it was a "no-no" . (See the link to the thread below). I keep my deep cycle batteries on a seperate circuit anyway and hook them up in parallel when I use my 1970s vintage battery charger (I really do have to move into the 21st century one day) to charge them overnight. I hope this helps. I'll try to get some pictures posted of the batteries and wiring. Good luck.

Trolling motor for a 191FS?