Suggestions for a second battery placement in a Challenger 2000

[challenger01]

I was wondering if anybody has a suggestion of where to place a second battery in a challenger 2000. I have a new 1-2-both switch ready to go, but I need to figure out where the best location is for placement. I also need to know if its acceptable to have the battery in a slightly sloped position.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[WAJetboating]

I often considered moving my C2K battery to the other side of the boat. The obvious place was in front of the oil tank, next to the fuel tank. Advantages are that you avoid the wiring harnesses, steering cable, and other things running along the starboard side of the hull. Also, this would help offset the infamous "right lean" that the C2K/CX hull often exhibited (and which was made worse when only the driver was aboard). The main disadvantage is that much longer battery cables would be required; all that extra length would necessitate moving up in wire size (gauge). I never ended up doing it.

 

[challenger01]

Thanks for the advice. I looked at that location as well, but the contour of the boat bottom is pretty curved at that location. I was also concerned with being able to get the battery into that location.

Did you have any ideas of how you would attach the battery tray or box to the boat in this location?

I bought a full plastic battery box with a lid, and was looking at placing it on the floor on the left side of the boat near the muffler and the oil tank. I cut a piece of trex that I had sitting around to fit the entire length of the opening and was planning on using a high quality adhesive on the bottom of the trex to the boat. I was going to screw a second piece of trex and the battery box onto the piece that is adhered to the boat bottom. I was also going to run some strapping back to the bracket for the gas tank. The battery would be on a slight angle with this setup, so I don't know if that is acceptable or not.

I have not done this yet, but just looking at different ideas.

Thanks for your help. I see that you sold the Challenger, but you have always been one of my greatest resources.

Brian

 

[WAJetboating]

Thanks for the advise. I looked at that location as well, but the contour of the boat bottom is pretty curved at that location. I was also concerned with being able to get the battery into that location.

Getting the battery in and out of there would be somewhat challenging, yes, but you only have to do it twice a year. You can live with anything if it's infrequent enough.

I agree you'd have to build a mount that gave you a flat, level surface for the battery tray or box. That's what I intended to do too. Then, secure it to the hull with something like Evercoat Fiber-Tech adhesive. That stuff is amazing - kevlar reinforced, cures in minutes, ultra-strong, and bonds to fiberglass very well. I believe this approach would work but I'd prototype it before buying the expensive cables and mixing up the epoxy!

 

[challenger01]

Thanks for the info on Evercoat. The shape of the hull is pretty unique next to the tank behind the oil, so I will look at options for leveling it off. I don't know if I can adhere a thin plate with the evercoat that would give me a level surface.

If I go the other route, do you see any issue of placing the battery box in the lower hull compartment (not the deepest part next to the engine, but near the muffler? I was going to set it up for easy removal of the box and battery if work needed to be done and a standing area was needed.

Thanks again,
Brian

 

[WAJetboating]

If I go the other route, do you see any issue of placing the battery box in the lower hull compartment (not the deepest part next to the engine, but near the muffler? I was going to set it up for easy removal of the box and battery if work needed to be done and a standing area was needed.

That should be fine as well. I just like having that area open so I can get in there if necessary, hence my attention to the area I suggested. But your area is perfectly OK.

Report back on what you end up doing, with photos!

 

[challenger01]

My Second Battery for the Challenger



After getting stuck near dark about 8 miles away from my launch with a dead battery last season I decided that I need a backup to avoid another late night.

I made a platform out of left over TREX and fit it into the lower hull near the oil container and muffler. I added a second piece underneath it to get it to sit level. I then attached an old dense plastic cutting board to the battery box and then screwed the board to the Trex material. I used an RTV Silicone to adhere the Trex to the hull. I also added some additional straps to the battery box.

I checked everything out today and it seems tight. For added reinforcement I double wrapped rubber tiedown straps around the battery box and connected it back to the metal frame that holds the reserve oil tank.

If I need to have a working space I can remove the battery and the box without too much issue.

I purchased the cables and Guest Switch from Amazon. I followed the advise of another poster that used marine grade power inverter cables. A friend is coming over this week with a heavy duty crimping tool and then I will test it out.

I hope to take it to the lake (Yough River Dam) this weekend.

Thanks for the help,
Brian

 

[FZ583X]

Does this boat have enough charging capiblities to charge 2 batteries? I was thinking about doing this as well as I plan on putting an amp and 10" sub on my boat

 

[challenger01]

Does this boat have enough charging capiblities to charge 2 batteries? I was thinking about doing this as well as I plan on putting an amp and 10" sub on my boat

I followed the suggestions from several posts on this forum, but I have not really had this in place long enough to give you a perfect answer. I also did not install a volt meter. I did not add amps, I was mainly concerned about not getting stranded again with a dead battery.

I have used the stock stereo while hanging out without any concern. After killing the battery last year I would not use it.

 

[WAJetboating]

Does this boat have enough charging capiblities to charge 2 batteries? I was thinking about doing this as well as I plan on putting an amp and 10" sub on my boat

If you have the 240EFI engine, it has two voltage regulators and the service manual has specific wiring instructions for a two battery setup.

 

[igneous]

I'm in the process of doing same install, but am opting for space by oil/fuel tanks. Have a piece of plastic fitted to sit in the space and battery box w/lid and strap. I'll try to get some pics up soon. My question is the wiring setup. How did you wire the switch and neg. leads?
I'll prolly get the same switch you have used. I'm assuming it does not require the switch w/AFD, correct?

 

[FZ583X]

yea i only have the carbed 210 sport jet

 

[atlantis6]

I did it the same way. put a 1 - 2 - both switch and a second batery works fine

 

[challenger01]

I'm in the process of doing same install, but am opting for space by oil/fuel tanks. Have a piece of plastic fitted to sit in the space and battery box w/lid and strap. I'll try to get some pics up soon. My question is the wiring setup. How did you wire the switch and neg. leads?
I'll prolly get the same switch you have used. I'm assuming it does not require the switch w/AFD, correct?

The new switch has a post for each battery labeled (red cable) and a common. I kept the common setup the same as the original and set the battery lines as labeled. I attached the black negative line from the new second battery to the negative terminal on the original battery. This was then attached to the 2 Original black ground wires. It was an easy job and has worked thus far.

 

[igneous]

Thanks for the info. I looked at it and now seems very simple--just had to get a visual.