Trolling Motor install on 1780 dlx

[Slab]

I hope you folks will be interested in a photo review of my trolling motor install on my 1780 dlx. Please keep the laughing to a minimum, but helpful comments are much appreciated. Also, I am not an expert boat mechanic, so if I have installed anything that is a glaring no-on 006, please inform the members.

I am going to put pictures and descriptions in two or three posts so wait for the final thought.

This is a transom mount install; I have heard that bow mounts pull the boat much better in the direction pointed, but I was given this trolling motor so went with it to save the 500 to 800 dollars on the motor.

This is my 1780 dlx


http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee310/sbalke9/CIMG1367.jpg

I cut out the fiberglass under the center console seat, about 7.25" wide (just enough to slide in the batteries), leaving as much around the sides as possible to prevent cracking.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee310/sbalke9/CIMG1366.jpg

More info in the next post.

Slab

[Slab]

This photo shows how I mounted my onboard battery charger and 50 amp fuse. I mounted a piece of star-board on the inside of the console by using the screws that hold the vertical front seat cushion to the outside of the console. Then mounted the charger and 50 Amp fuse on the star-board. the fuse is in line on the positive 24 volt wire off the battery.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee310/sbalke9/CIMG1364.jpg


Here are the batteries mounted in battery trays under the console seat. They are wired in series. Yes I am aware that sparks and gasoline vapor do not mix well; have the area well ventilated or run a fan while messing with the batteries. I used the Optima blue top batteries for the vibration resistance and they are supposed to be very good batteries.


http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee310/sbalke9/CIMG1363.jpg


Slab

[Slab]

And finally, the trolling motor mount. I used a horizontal surface mount because i did not want to drill holes through the transom. However, this puts the Motor mount up about 6" above where it should be useing a transom mount, so be sure you have enough shaft length. Most installers would use a vertical transom mount bolted on the transom.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee310/sbalke9/CIMG1368.jpg

This picture shows the through deck plug for the trolling motor; I also put a switch in for the system. The switch is rather redundant since one can just unplug the trolling motor to break the circuit. I wanted a switch that I could tell at a glance that the circuit is off and not going to drain the battery overnight or during storage.



http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee310/sbalke9/CIMG1365.jpg

Well thats it. Looking at the pictures I may catch a lot of comments about the proximity of the batteries, charger and fuse next to the gas tank. I would welcome any comments from experienced installers.

Slab

[Shakespeare]

I've wondered about how well the transom mount troller works. I like to flounder gig and it takes two to pole the 218DLV through the shallows. I thought it would be nice to troll along the edge if I'm ever by myself... plus I don't want to stir up the water in front of the boat 'cause that's where I'm gigging from... plus I got my lights mounted up there. If you can think about it, post back on how well or how bad your troller works from the transom.

I dunno Slab... I'd be real concerned about having all that electrical equipment right next to the gas tank. I don't even like messing with the console wiring sitting right above 40 gallons of fuel. One time I accidently popped the quick connect loose on the gas tank adapter and the next morning I thought I was going to get bowled over by the fumes. Those batteries need ventilation also so I don't know what the solution is besides relocating everything. I hope it works out for you. Aside from that... you've done a great job on getting it all hooked up. Looks like you've put a lot of thought into it.

Mike C.

[Slab]

Mike, I have not used the trolling motor enough to make a good call on if it would work for flounder gigging. I have only had the boat out one weekend with the trolling motor installed, and we trolled one shorline; the wind was up and you know how much the wind pushes the CS around. My initial thought is that using a trolling motor on on the transom will not work well for floundering unless 1) the water is consistantly deep enough to troll and 2) the wind is still and very calm.

When posting my install adventure, I began having serious reservations about leading someone into a dangerous situation with the batteries and wiring around the fuel tank, but my searay 220 has has the battery in the same compartment as the fuel tank and fuel fill (and engine), so I assuming that with the correct wiring and fuses, and be careful when connecting and diconnecting the batteries, and the center console being open to the air, my install should be OK. My reason in putting the batteries under the console seat was to keep the boat balanced.

I will report back when i have a few more hours on the system.

Slab

[Minnox]

The install looks good I would think about cutting in a few stainless steel louvered vents in the console in the battery area to get some extra and cross ventilation.


Just my two cents worth!

[Slim to None]

my two batteries for my J16 are mounted under my center console next to my fuel tank. haven't had a problem yet. i slide out my tank when i'm refueling for better access. vents wouldn't be a bad idea, but i dont have them and the vapors are never bad enough where a spark would ignite them.

[Slim to None]

shakespeare: my J16 kinda slides around a lot with a transom mounted trolling motor. my new boat (18' aluminum sea ark) has a bow mounted trolling motor and it is a lot easier to manuever around. i think you're DLV model would be somewhat better than my J16 since mine is entire flat bottomed. at worse you can always trim your outboard down a little to provide a "rudder" so to speak.

[koolj]

Install looks good to me - for free how can you argue with the transom mount

[Harry]

Looks great Slab.

And thanks for the detailed "How to" and nice photo's. That's what makes this site so helpful !!! 013

[Shakespeare]

Hey Slab... you got any more insight/experience to share on the transom mount troller performance? I was lurking around the Minn Kota site and noted that they don't have a remote controlled transom unit. That would be a needed feature if I were to try solo flounder gigging on the DLV. Do you know of a manufacturer that makes such a thing?

Mike C.

[Fayetteguy]

Arent those optima batts vent free, or they dont give off the flammable fumes? I would think if this is the case it should be ok. I mean like stated above you could always install some vents.

-matt

[Slab]

mike,
I have not had the boat out since Oct 20, 21; so nothing more to report.

I did some research before using the trolling motor I was given, and I did not find any remotes except for the front mount units. Good Luck.

Slab

[koolj]

Mike now ifin you want to spend the money they do have the trolling motor that mounts onto your big motor on the foot.or they do have http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52574_200002001_200000000_200002000_200-2-1the motors you can mount at the bottom of the transom on each side

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_73585_200002002_200000000_200002000_200-2-2

[Shakespeare]

koolj... that's interesting (motor mount trollers) but still leaves in question on how to remotely control the unit from the bow, where the flounder lights are. The whole concept of not having a bow mount motor is so that I can keep all the real-estate up front free without a introducing a tripping hazard. A remote controlled transom unit would solve the problem. I have also given consideration towards getting a small jon boat for the specific purpose of flounder gigging and polling through the marshes. All of this is a non-issue if I have a buddy or two on board the DLV to help me pole that pig around. Say... wanna go flounder gigging this spring? Thanks for the links.

Mike C.

[koolj]

might just do that - another thought is if you could rig the mount is put a bow mount on backwards thus running kinda of in reverse - might be like driving a forklift steering the rear tires ??? 006

[1967JRD]

Nice job on the install slab. Looks well thought out.

If I may I'd like to point out just a couple things that concern me. Not the actual install, but the perception of fumes in proximity to spark that has been posted in this thread.

First off, just because "YOU" can't smell fumes, doesn't mean they aren't present. Gasoline fumes are heavier than air, thus they will be at the lowest point in your console, hull, floor, what have you. So keep in mind, just because you don't get a whiff at 6 feet tall, please do not assume they are not there.

Secondly and probably thee most overlooked item on fuel tanks, fumes, etc. If you are putting fuel in a plastic tank, you WILL have fumes, period. Plastic tanks, while not pourus enough to leak fuel, do certainly allow fumes to escape right thru the tank. Try this little test to prove it to yourself, place a decal or two directly on your fuel tank, a nice "I heart fishing" sticker will do! Look at it a few days later and see what you find. Keep in mind that if your boat sits long enough for the decal to peel or bubble, it has sat long enough for fumes to accumulate.

I think the idea someone offered about louvers on the console sides is an excellent one. You can never get too much ventilation when it comes to fuel and sources of spark in close quarters.


Okay, I am done with the Father safety speech... I just thought I'd point out what I consider serious safety items.

[FLboy3]

My only question would be why you decided to put the batteries in the console instead of under the rear deck. From the looks of your rear deck it looks like you have dual livewells which doesn't leave much room under the rear deck for much of anything. I was going to have dual livewells on my 2480 dlx but changed my mind at the last minute after seeing a boat at a dealer with dual wells and the lack of space for anything. I don't think it would affect the balance of the boat with the batteries installed under the rear deck. The boat I looked at with the 2 livewells looked like there was enough room for a battery in the middle between the livewells and also room for a battery between the livewell and the transom on both sides. I'v had a battery explode in a van I had for no reason that I could find. Sparks are common for batteries and it would only take one spark to cause something bad. Hey, the install looks great, you do good work.

[Slab]

Dual live wells definitely limit the space for installing two batteries or anything else for that matter. In 30 years of fishing, I have never needed two live wells. I just did not think far enough ahead, i would have purchased a boat with a single live well.

There is enough space to install one battery, as the motor starting battery is installed on one side between the live well and the transom. But from the start, it just looked like the batteries would be easier to install under the console since there is room and the space is not being used for any thing. It will definitely be easier to service or change the batteries out when necessary.

As for exploding batterys and sparks, your point is well taken and other members should consult "the experts" prior to installing the batteries in close proximity to the fuel tanks. As for me and my boat, I will have the wife post my obit on the forum should I expire in a firery blast :o while trolling the shoreline for redfish and flounder.

Slab

[FLboy3]

Slab, I'm sure you've probably checked this but on my ex-large console and 27 gal gas tank, I was able to turn the gas tank around to open up all the area under the console seat. I plan on making a fish box/cooler there in the near future. In the pic it looks like you have a large console, is it possible to turn your tank around? I also wandered if you had thought about puting a thin partition between the batteries and tank? I think it could be done fairly easy for added safety. I see batteries under consoles all the time so it must be common to install the batteries there. I haven't heared of one blowing up yet, so your probably ok. I'm no expert at custom work on these boats but I can tell you I have learned a bunch of valuable information on this site and the other CS forum I belong to. Most of the people on here really know their stuff when it comes to customizing these boats.