My new FF battery set up

After I mistreated the last one for 5 years it finally broke it too many places to fix. I never wanted to deal with FF electrical problems again so I went with as bullet proof of a system as I could find. The Kayak Fishing Supplies.com system fit the bill but too spendy for me at $90.



REI had a deal on the Pelican 1120 box w/ foam insert a little while back for $20 so I swapped one up. I added some Sea Dog plugs (from Hook1 $9) to keep it as waterproof as possible and added a new battery ($20 Hook1). Still a little spendy at $50 total but hopefully it's going to last a long time.

Z

 

I've been using the exact same one since '07 and it's still clicking along nicely.  It fits perfectly in the center hatch under the rump.  I have a carabiner-bungee that I use to go around the scupper "posts" on the interior and around the battery box.  I can lift the boat up onto the rack and turn it sideways and the battery doesn't move.  It also is wedged in right in the dead center of the boat for good balance.  On the rare occasion that I bump the power loose, (or forget to keep it clean) I can reach it easily when on board.  It fits a nice 10ah battery too.  Did you get the kit with the battery ready included?

 

I just use an old drybag I had lying around and haven't "lost" a battery in the last 6 years.  Roll it up cord and all when sealing.

-Allen

I just use an old drybag I had lying around and haven't "lost" a battery in the last 6 years.  Roll it up cord and all when sealing.

-Allen

That's cuz you're special.   I actually bashed up the battery in transport. I don't know how many times I packed it in the back of the truck and smashed a terminal down.

I didn't buy the kit YM. I'm still pretty cheap.

Z

I just use an old drybag I had lying around and haven't "lost" a battery in the last 6 years.  Roll it up cord and all when sealing.

-Allen

That's cuz you're special.   I actually bashed up the battery in transport. I don't know how many times I packed it in the back of the truck and smashed a terminal down.

I didn't buy the kit YM. I'm still pretty cheap.

Z

Well, at least half special.  I've tried so many variants of the drybag/battery combo and finally just settled on leaving the power cord attached to the battery, et voila, terminals don't get smashed down.  I just run my battery cable under the lip of the front hatch, no holes or anything.  I used to wrap the battery in a towel ... no more, I'm lazy.  For a while I used the battery bare, just set it in the bottom of the kayak.  Never had a problem, but it just didn't feel right.  And I'm pretty sure my drybag has holes in it, no need for a super seal anyways ... it is a SEALED Lead Acid battery after all.

-Allen

If you are willing to occupy the rear hatch on a Hobie ...

If you are willing to occupy the rear hatch on a Hobie ...

Interesting set up. So you leave the battery in there all the time? Or thread the cables every time? I like to be able to disassemble the yak fast and also don't want anymore weight in it when I pick it up so go with the battery in the box.

Well, at least half special.  I've tried so many variants of the drybag/battery combo and finally just settled on leaving the power cord attached to the battery, et voila, terminals don't get smashed down.  I just run my battery cable under the lip of the front hatch, no holes or anything.  I used to wrap the battery in a towel ... no more, I'm lazy.  For a while I used the battery bare, just set it in the bottom of the kayak.  Never had a problem, but it just didn't feel right.  And I'm pretty sure my drybag has holes in it, no need for a super seal anyways ... it is a SEALED Lead Acid battery after all.

-Allen

I had the bare battery in there w/ nothing and worked fine but like I said, the problems always came when I packed the gear away. So instead of protection from saltwater intrusion etc. the battery needs protection from ME.

Z

Interesting set up. So you leave the battery in there all the time? Or thread the cables every time? I like to be able to disassemble the yak fast and also don't want anymore weight in it when I pick it up so go with the battery in the box.

I leave it in all the time, just like I did with the battery bag hanging in the bow of the T13.  One could splice in a waterproof plug - open the hatch, pop the plug, pull the gear bucket.

I used to make those for those guys so I have one myself since I liked how well thought out the design is. I've used it for about four years now and have never had a problem with it. I suspect you will not be disappointed Zee.