I got tired of battery corrosion

For the second time I had to replace the terminals/spades on the end of my FF cable.  Corrosion again.

Well, I was sidelined to let my stitches harden, so I figured I'd go scrounging through the garage for electrical parts to see what I could cook up to prevent it while I build out Susan's new Hobie Outback.   Simple dielectric grease or battery terminal paste was not going to keep me occupied, so I decided to rig up a battery box with some AUX features.

The result is a bit rough, not up to my usual standards, but should suit for kayaking, and as a power source for camping as well.

Parts:
Splash-proof gasket dry box, 8AH Battery, Dual USB panel mount outlet, 12v Accessory Outlet, battery meter and pushbutton to activate it so it doesn't drain the battery 24/7, Master fuse, accessory fuse, and FF fuse (re-used), some misc wire, and panel-mount female cable end with matching male plug (gold contacts should minimize corrosion on connection at box), a bit of white plastic cutting board cut for accessories and to retain battery, some closed cell foam to line the lid and keep things from shaking about.

I thought about putting in a proper ATC automotive fuse panel with + and - bus, but didn't have any, they cost a few $$, and not enough room in my box. 

See pics.



 

Man that is AWESOME! I think you should start selling them. I would by it from you if you made an extra

If shipping from AK weren't so bad I'd buy one from you too.

I bet it would fit in a large flat rate box. AKRider with the way kayak fishing is growing around the world you should quit your day job and start making these.

Sell it without the SLA would be a good idea.

Nice work!  That thing is awesome looking.

Nice job!  Looks great.

Thanks All -
Finished dimensions about 10"x8"x5" plus or minus.
I'l give a look at what the sum of parts comes to if you had to go out and buy it all - and when I get a chance I'll post the parts list and schematic for wiring. 
Not sure what a box would run if you bought everything off the shelf, but I'll find out and put that in the package when I post.
I got off cheap because I had a bunch of parts in the garage, but if I wanted to make a hobby of it and sell them it'd have to be based on bulk buys.   There is no way it would pay to ship the battery, as suggested, but it is a standard size - you can get one at Cabelas, batteries plus werker, or whatever branded battery in the same form factor (dimensions) at various places. 

Now... to start on the second one.  Cant have Susan with a superior ride in ALL ways.

AKRider

I don't know what your "usual standards" are, but you did a bang-up job rigging on this one.

Really nice job, looking forward to seeing the schematic and parts list, might get motivated enough to try that myself. Thanks for posting
John

Nice!!!!!  That looks awesome!

Kardinal-84:  Once I finish #2, how about I make up one for a prize for next years WG tourney?  I could get the thing completely fitted out, a 'just add battery' kind of thing.   

Looks like a nice setup! Having the USB ports would help in topping off a cell phone and the 12v would be great for a radio. What setup were you using before that the terminals were corroding? I use a similar waterproof plug on the outside of my box for my ff.

I had the old system wired thru-hull to the bow hatch area where the battery was center mounted.   A bit of salt would hit those forward connectors every time out.   Not much but not bone dry under that hatch!

I use Bulgin Mini Buccaneer connectors, which are IP68 (immersion) rated, and you can get caps and plugs for the connectors so you can be sealed when not mated to another connector. I have used them successfully (no noticeable corrosion) for several years.

http://www.bulgin.co.uk/Products/Buccaneer/BuccaneerMini.html

I forgot what online place I ordered them from, but there are available from a variety of electrical distributors.