Battery Box

Tell me about it!!! I think I have the rigging sickness! I am an engineer, we like to build sh*t!
I love it though, makes it quite bright when I need to see to fix a hook or tie a line. I only use the lights for a few mins when I need to see around the deck. So my night vision is on impaired momentarily. I also will turn them on if a boat starts getting too close for comfort.

I bought the 6" seachoice LEDs off eBay for $25 for the pair. The switch panel is also seachoice around $30 from a boat supply store online.

I plan to add receticles up front for a fish drop light and one in back for my bait tank. That way I can control all the goodies from one spot.

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RedWolf3773
2011 Hobie Pro Angler
Rigged for War!

I guess the landing gear switch must be on the other side along with da afterburners

Now this is cool!!! Great job.

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Really nice rig.

I have rigged somewhat similarly with separately controlled red and white led cockpit lights. I only use the red unless filming.

The red does not effect your night vision and doesn't attract insects or snakes. I made a red filter plate to cover the HB side imager that helps some also.

The white will make you blind for a short while but is the only thing that really works for the film work.

I go commando on the batteries. they (the common deer feeder batteries) are sealed and watertight. I just seal the plug connectors with dielectric grease. Mine are duct taped and or snap tied to the bottom of the hull for now.

Nice post, thanks, for all sharing, Phill

Redwolf...I like that idea. You are right, the back hatch is too far to be used effectively. I use mine for first aid gear but now will try your approach, minus the auto pilot and lights.

Is it bad to carry the battery on its side? I know it is sealed but wonder about the connectivity and battery acid. Have you noticed a performance issue? Do you need to charge it up a lot?

Again, good job.

The batteries are gel cells and can be mounted in almost any position. I have never had any issues with it mounted on its side!

~redwolf3773

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RedWolf3773
2011 Hobie Pro Angler
Rigged for War!

Redwolf, that is just awesome. What kind of switch panel is that. I like the idea of rigging lights. I would like to do something similar but with a front head light and rear mounted safety light on a pole AND not have to risk a turtle turning them on/off.

It's made by SeaChoice. I purchased it from jmsonline.net for around $30-$35. It has four switches with leds and four circuit breakers. The panel is water resistant so I added a gasket behind mine to seal it up.

Here is the link:
http://www.jmsonline.net/seachoice-prod ... -12321.htm

Good luck!

RedWolf3773

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RedWolf3773
2011 Hobie Pro Angler
Rigged for War!

Groovie!!!

I mount my battery exactly like redwolf no problems after a year

Redwolf, can you please post a pic of those running lights, placement and possible wiring. Love the idea, most of my fishing is at night and this is simply awesome. Thanks.

What is the connection you have on the outside of the gear bucket? It is a little hard to discern from the picture? I am looking to do the same on mine.

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2019 Hobie Outback | 2018 Hobie Compass | 2017 Hobie Revolution 13
Froggin' For Bass and Other Kayak Adventures

PowerTeam Lures - deadly on bass!!! use promo code "HANOVER" at checkout for a 15% discount

What you see in the picture is a wire seal to keep the container as water tight as possible. I then have a two prong plug that I use so I can quickly disconnect it and hook it up to my charger.



Wire seal info:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50567

Two prong connector info:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50570

Sifisto - Here are a couple of images of where I mounted the LEDs. I just measured down from the gunwale and put them about center of the boards.




As for wiring, I extended the two wires with 16 gage multipurpose two conductor wire from the auto parts store. The lights are connected in parallel to the switch. They draw very little current. I also used adhesive lined heat shrink on all the wire to wire connections to ensure a water/air tight seal. I also put a dab of Silicon on the hole I drilled for the wire as well as on the SS screws I that I used to mount the LEDs.

The biggest thing to remember is to mount the LEDs where they do not blind you! The lights are very very bright and I only use them momentarily when I am on the water and need to see, or if I an approaching boat needs to see me!

Mounting the switch panel is the most nerve racking part. I measured like 5 times and then took my time to cut the plastic out. The biggest thing to remember here is to round the corners of your cut so that the hole will not shear under stress. If you cut out a perfect square/rectangle you could have an issue over time with cracking!

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RedWolf3773
2011 Hobie Pro Angler
Rigged for War!

Thanks - that's what I thought it was but just wanted to make sure. Which size did you use for the two-wire connector to fit through the opening in the seal?

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2019 Hobie Outback | 2018 Hobie Compass | 2017 Hobie Revolution 13
Froggin' For Bass and Other Kayak Adventures

PowerTeam Lures - deadly on bass!!! use promo code "HANOVER" at checkout for a 15% discount

I believe it was the 3/8" wire seal. It rigged this up over a year ago when I first got my fish finder. But I do believe it's the smallest connector since I am only running two wires through. I also used a fuse holder at the battery on my original setup but have since removed it when I installed the switch panel with circuit breakers, I didn't see much use in it since the panel had protection built in.

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RedWolf3773
2011 Hobie Pro Angler
Rigged for War!