Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

[FBPirate95]

I'm trying to decide on how I should set up my portable tank and battery on my bowrider. I want to do it in a way I leave the most deck space. The stern of the boat has a molded piece that contains two seats on each side, and the splash well in the middle. Below it is open space the entire width of the boat, and below that is the recessed bilge area. I was thinking of buying one of the low profile tanks and slide it under this piece. Then I'm trying to decide where I should mount the battery box. I've included a picture of the stern of the boat...forgive the leaves and twigs in the picture. It was taken prior to me cleaning it out. If you can't tell, its my project boat.

Does anyone have pictures of their setups?

http://s913.photobucket.com/albums/...ng/?action=view&current=boats007.jpg&newest=1

 

[seabob4]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

Yeah, you can go with an above decks tank, hell, thousands of Whalers out there in the same config. But obviously that poses a problem when it comes to your batt box. Notice you have lounge seats...do they have storage underneath, in other words, room for a batt?

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

Yeah, you can go with an above decks tank, hell, thousands of Whalers out there in the same config. But obviously that poses a problem when it comes to your batt box. Notice you have lounge seats...do they have storage underneath, in other words, room for a batt?

Well the lounge seats on it will be gone. I think I'm going to put a swivel bucket seat at the helm, and a lounge on the port side. I've thought about putting the battery under it, but I've also heard its best to keep your battery cable length short. I'm open to all suggestions.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

Is there a fuel tank under the floor?
If so, why not use it?

Does,t look like much room under the splashwell.

I had room for an 18 gallon (43x15x8") fuel tank under the splashwell, and still have plenty of room for the battery on the starboard side.

Whatever you do, just remember that above deck/portable fuel tanks need to be out in the open so that air can circulate and carry the explosive fumes away.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

if you remove the rear seats you could build a bench across the back .
on my LoneStar I built a sturdy carpeted cabinet that holds a 12 gal portable tank- battery- and anchors w/lines
you can sit 2 people or stand & cast on it. it is well vented.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

i would suspect that if you pull that white access hatch up in the center of the deck you will find a gas tank..... You can have the batt cables longer but they need to be heavier to make up for the increased resistance....5-10 feet isn't a problem.... 100 is.... there are PLENTY of drag racers starting built bigblocks with a battery in the trunk.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

On my 16' MFG bowrider I have my 2 batteries, one under each side of the stern, similar to your stern. My permanent 12 gallon gas tank is under the passenger seat box for the lounge seat. When I eventually mount seats on pedastals I will build a similar box for the tank & mount the seat base on top of it. The bottom & top of the box have long knotches cut in along the length & width so there is enough ventilation to remove fumes. If you put tank under stern & close it off you will need to add small air scoops to bring in air & an outlet for the air to safely exhaust fumes. My set up uses no deck space for either. If you have a permanent tank do whatever it needs to use it, just my opinion, but I think it's the easiest way to deal with gas.

http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/...FG Gypsy 16/?action=view&current=100_2458.jpg

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

I haven't gotten far enough to access the below deck tank. The previous owner reglassed the floor and put the carpet over it. I am going to pull the carpet in the next week and see if I can get to the tank. I don't think he used it. So not knowing the history of the tank I'm leery of using the same one.

As for the clearance under the back deck, its 8 inches below the seats and 12 inches below the splash well.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

Is there a fuel tank under the floor?
If so, why not use it?

Does,t look like much room under the splashwell.

I had room for an 18 gallon (43x15x8") fuel tank under the splashwell, and still have plenty of room for the battery on the starboard side.

Whatever you do, just remember that above deck/portable fuel tanks need to be out in the open so that air can circulate and carry the explosive fumes away.

Got any pics of this setup?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

they make some low profile batteries, just cut the height of the battery box down. google moeller tanks, there are many configurations.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Portable fuel tank and battery set-up

they make some low profile batteries, just cut the height of the battery box down. google moeller tanks, there are many configurations.

This is the tank I'm thinking of to slide under the back seating area.

http://www.iboats.com/15-Gallon-Per...3-L-X-15-W-X-6-87-H-Moeller/dm/view_id.361855

Not sure if it will be well ventilated though. Another option is to mount the tank just in front of the area, then have some stainless plates made up to screw to the floor and go over the tank to act as a foot rest for the two back seats.