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  • Battery box project...

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    I wanted to build a battery box for my kayak. I have a couple of stipulations in mind: portable in/out of the boat; water proof; plugs to switch out electronics; upgrade capable for future electronic items.

    I wanted something that I could pull out of the boat and use campsite to run a LED lamp, could run a fish finder and marine-grade LEDs in the boat. And I wanted something that I could upgrade components in over time in.

    I came up with one of the off the shelf dry boxes that seem to fit well behind the seat... But this will go under the deck hatch. I placed a fuzed power distribution strip and a distribution ground return on Velcro pads under the lid. I drilled holes and put rubber gaskets in the holes. I eventually will silicone them closed once I figure out how much slack is needed in and out of the box.

    Initially I thought I would simply use construction adhesive to glue in walls to hold the batteries. But it just doesn't stick well enough and I popped them right out. So now I have decided to build an aluminum tray that sits down into the box. I had some angle stock in the shed to start with... I just need to buy some to finish the project with. The idea is that I will have two batteries at either side of the tray (weigh balanced) and have them switched so as one runs out I can flip the switch to change power sources to my electronics.

    I found some marine-grade LED strips that I like. One is going to go in the box lid for an emergency light source. The other I will put up under the center hatch door so I can lift it and turn the light strip on for a utility light right in front of me while on the water.

  • #2
    Nice!
    LL Bean (Perception) Manatee DLX Angler 9.5'
    Hobie Pro Angler 12

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    • #3
      Those orange Plano boxes work fine for batteries as long as you have the space to store them. I used one just like that for a full-sized marine battery that I use with the bow-mounted trolling motor on my center console. The built-in electric plug in the bow never worked, so I decided to make a portable power supply in a box. Here are a few photos. To protect the motor, I added a circuit breaker on the positive line. On trips when I don't need the trolling motor, I leave the battery box at home.

      IMG_0267.jpg trolling motor battery box 004.jpg trolling motor battery box 005.jpg trolling motor battery box 006.jpg
      John Veil
      Annapolis
      Native Watercraft Manta Ray 11, Falcon 11

      Author - "Fishing in the Comfort Zone" , "Fishing Road Trip - 2019", "My Fishing Life: Two Years to Remember", and "The Way I Like to Fish -- A Kayak Angler's Guide to Shallow Water, Light Tackle Fishing"

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      • #4
        Once I saw the box (mine is not as tall as yours) I knew it was the thing I needed. Instead of having to build one from scratch.

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        • #5
          Plano now makes a very small orange box, which would be more kayak fit friendly. We just started stocking them at the store.

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          • #6
            Problem with a box is securing it to the yak- I went with an insulated lunch cooler bag and stuffed my battery in it- then I screwed it to the bottom of my front cover hatch to keep it from bouncing all over- I got that idea from Ocean Kayaks for their battery bag in their Prowler series Kayaks-
            "Lady Luck" 2016 Red Hibiscus Hobie Outback, Lowrance Hook2-7TS
            2018 Seagrass Green Hobie Compass, Humminbird 798 ci HD SI
            "Wet Dream" 2011 yellow Ocean Prowler 13
            Charter member of Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club

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            • #7
              It fits up under the deck pretty well. It looks like a towel folded up under it will cushion/deaden any sound and keep it from bouncing around.
              I like that it lets me run fuses inside it and it protects the whole thing with hard sides.

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