Mounting Onboard Charger

Just bought a 2010 Tracker Pro Crappie 175. I have since purchased a two bank charger, but looking at the battery compartment there isn't room to mount to a vertical surface inside the compartment. Is it OK to mount it to the underside of the lid which covers the battery & gas tank compartment? If so, do I use screws or drill all the way through the lid and bolt it with stainless steel? If this is done, do I need a space between the charger and lid so heat won't be transferred through the lid to the carpet which covers it?

I'd say it'd be OK. The heat transfer to the carpet will not be a problem. I would however be worried about the vibration transfered through the lid to the charger or even slamming while on the road. Don't know if that rear compartment has a latch on your boat. Mine doesn't. Even if it's latched, vibration could be an issue.

I'd make sure there's not somewhere else it could be mounted before I did that. I'd prefer even in a rod or storage box to the lid underside for the reasons stated.

Wannabe...

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Originally Posted by Wannabe...

I'd say it'd be OK. The heat transfer to the carpet will not be a problem. I would however be worried about the vibration transfered through the lid to the charger or even slamming while on the road. Don't know if that rear compartment has a latch on your boat. Mine doesn't. Even if it's latched, vibration could be an issue.

I'd make sure there's not somewhere else it could be mounted before I did that. I'd prefer even in a rod or storage box to the lid underside for the reasons stated.

Wannabe...

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I agree with what he said. Although mine was advertised to be Shock Resistant, why take the chance. Mine also said that I needed an 8" clearance on either side and in front of the charger for air circulation. As warm as my charger gets, I was leery of mounting it on a carpeted area, but it probably would have been fine.

near the battery compartment at the back of the boat. No ohter place for me to do it. It is sitting on carpet and hasnt been a problem. Also very easy to get to and plug in.

Hmmm, assuming you've got a fully water proofed charger, and your boat sits under a roof of some kind, I like the idea of mounting it on the back corner of the deck better than the underside of the lid now that sakedog mentions it. Airflow around the charger (not necessarily the back of it) would be the reason. Some run fairly cool, but some get got enough you don't want to touch them. The later will probably perform and last longer with better airflow. Not to mention if you've got a hot running one sitting close to your plastic fuel tank. Not so much worried about the kaboom factor as I would be for heat damage and britteling (yeah, it's not really a word) out the tank itself. Assuming we're talking built in tank here.

Wannabe...

I just got one also and the directions said to mount on a vertical surface to promote air flow through the cooling fins and not on carpet but the mounting point are raised to keep the unit away from the mounting surface.

If you are worried about heat transfer go to Lowes and get 4 1" rubber spacers and put them between the charger and whatever you are it to. That will help with some of the shock some people are worried about.

Got mine mounted on the top inside of my rod locker. Seems to be a good location for it.

I've taken one or two chargers apart before and the ones that are completely water proof are buried in epoxy. You're gonna have to put one hell of a whooping on it to really do any damage at all. Mount it where you want, but mount it so you can see the lights on it.

As far as mounting near a fuel tank, I wouldn't. Wires, leaks/gas leaks just do not go together.

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Originally Posted by Fishtaco

As far as mounting near a fuel tank, I wouldn't. Wires, leaks/gas leaks just do not go together.

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Now what do I do? factory installed gas tank has battery platform above it. Without major re-wiring I can't move them somewhere else. I agree wires and gas don't go together very well only solution I can come up with is I keep compartment open when charging for air circulation.