Bilge Bridge Install

This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by JSLAW.

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November 3, 2012 at 11:40 pm #359625

Sheff
Participant

Ive seen this asked before and today while making them for mounting my battery charger I snapped some pix. Not hard to do and took about 2.5 hours. I used black 1/2″ Starboard, available at marine stores. I got it at Bass Pro for $35.00. (12x27x1/2). My boat is a 2013 Puma. In the rear, I have 4 group 31 Smart Battery lithium batteries, two Power Pole pumps, and an oil tank. Now I have a 4 bank Dual Pro charger as well. First, I surveyed the area and decided how I wanted to attach it. I decided to use the screw holes left from when I removed the battery tray spacers.I then made a template from cardboard. Index your template! You want it to be inserted the same everytime. Mine ended up being 10 7/8″ X 5 1/2″.Cut your material to size and put template over top for screw hole positioning. Index your material as well! When you drill your holes in the Starboard, oversize them just a touch. Starboard will expand and contract up to 1/32″ with temperature. Makes it easier to line up also.The inserts in the battery trays use 1/4-20 hardware. I went to Lowes and picked up stainless 1″ screws and lockwashers. I also got some blue loctite just in case they try backing out. I have not installed the loctitie yet. For my application I had to repeat the process. I made two “bridges”.Put whatever your mounting in place and mark the mounting holes the remove it. Drill very small pilot holes for your equipment mounting screws. Using the small pilot hole ensures you have enough run in torque to prevent the screws from backing out. Put your equipment back in place and screw it down. This is not the be all end all way, just the way I did it. Hope this helps anyone needing to do the same. Have fun on the water and be safe!!Dave Sheffield

November 4, 2012 at 3:22 am #359628

scubaman154
Participant

that looks great!! maybe a kydos from bcb is in order ??

November 4, 2012 at 12:59 pm #359631

JSLAW
Participant

Looks Good Sheff, Is that the charger that smart battery suggest using? Any chance you can post a pic from a little further above to show more of the bilge compartment. Looks like the PP pumps are mounted behind (aft) of the batteries, are they both on the same side, as I assume the oil tank is on the drivers side.

November 4, 2012 at 1:17 pm #359636

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I did something very similar with lucite cutting boards cut to fit in my 2007 Puma. I then installed a prop holder and that is where I keep my spare prop. Ive had a couple of friends copy the process. Works really well. Great idea to put your charger there.

November 4, 2012 at 1:52 pm #359639

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

The unique thing Sheff did was use the battery tray end pieces to secure the braces, this prevents using screws into the sealed flooring. We would like to do this at BCB on some setups, though we can not plan on everyone using 31 series. In this case he has the purrfect plan. Yep, kudos to Sheff for sharing. BCB.

November 4, 2012 at 6:23 pm #359643

Sheff
Participant

JLAW the charger is from Smart Battery. It has the lithium charging profile. Im attaching a pic of the entire compartment. BCB, that was the main reason for using the mounting holes. During my palnt tour, Ivans explanation of the water tight areas helped me decide. I believe this would work just fine with the battery tray spacers installed, I would just use a 1 1/4″-1 1/2″ screw. One of the benefits of this mount is, remove 4 screws and the charger with “bridges” attached can be lifted out and you have full access to the pumps. Most battery chargers have 4 or so leads, mine has 5. alleviating the requirement to disconnect from the batteries while changing a pump. Have a wonderful Sunday!!

November 4, 2012 at 8:47 pm #359646

rlb8s
Participant

Awesome Dave! I look forward seeing your new Puma in March.

November 5, 2012 at 2:32 am #359649

JSLAW
Participant

Looks Good Sheff, though im disappointed you have one battery not facing the same direction as the others….

November 5, 2012 at 10:01 am #359652

Sheff
Participant

That was done on purpose, to give a short run for the jumper. Gives a cleaner look for the wiring. You know that it bothers me though. I thought of calling Smart Battery and getting a sticker for the top with reversed polarity symbols just for that!!

February 9, 2013 at 12:07 am #359654

JSLAW
Participant

? for BCB, Talked with Sheff, you guys installed his Powerpole pumps in the picture above. Did you use the screws that came with the pumps or did you go with different screws, how much fiberglass thickness do i have in that area and if you didnt use the screws provided, can you provide the ones you recommend with my order for the Power pole switch that I placed today?
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