Inside Rear Hatch cover

[cluggie]

After experiencing a dead battery because of the automatic bilge pump last year (yes, the boat sat for a couple of weeks on the trailer ) we've been disconnecting the battery when the boat goes back on the trailer. Whoever designed the '03 195 DC had to have been one very small person with very small hands! The battery box has already been modified so one can actually get to it and pull out the battery.

Been thinking about cutting the back wall hatch bigger and purchasing a new hatch cover. The only thing I've found so far is at Bass Pro Shops. Only problem is the screws, even though they're stainless steel, would be exposed. I'd prefer they weren't.

Anyone have any suggestions where to get a new hatch cover (door) where the screws wouldn't be exposed?

The boat is 4 years old, and still lovin' it!

Clug

[cagrove]

Why not instead of pulling the battery, just install a cut off switch. I put one in my 170CC and it works great. Just flip it to off when I park the boat and all power from the battery is killed...including that pesky bilge pump. Flip it back to on and you're ready to go again.

Here's a picture:



I hope this helps.

[cluggie]

Thanks. I'd thought of it, and we'll probably go this way. I was going to use a toggle switch. The 170CC is going to be my 2nd boat someday!

[rkola]

I had the same problem with my 170 DC, and got tired of diconnecting the battery. My solution was to install a Rocker switch from Checker Auto (about $7) in line with the 12 volt line running to the Bilge Pump. If your do a search, someone has posted a pretty detailed explaination on this forum, including the color of the wire running to the bilge. I followed his instructions, and the entire install took about 20 minutes. I used a rocker switch with an indicator light, to provide me with a reminder to turn on the bilge.