Battery Placement In Your Yak

[NJBasstard]

Well I used the search function and only found topics relating to battery boxes and such so I apologize if this has been discussed. Where is the best place to put a battery in a SOT kayak without it moving around? Most of the pictures I've seen are of DIY battery boxes placed in the front hatch with what looks like nothing holding them down but velcro.. and I'm not sure how that would hold up in rough water. Do any of you guys have tips or pics of how you did yours that you could share?

[Darren.]

Well I used the search function and only found topics relating to battery boxes and such so I apologize if this has been discussed. Where is the best place to put a battery in a SOT kayak without it moving around? Most of the pictures I've seen are of DIY battery boxes placed in the front hatch with what looks like nothing holding them down but velcro.. and I'm not sure how that would hold up in rough water. Do any of you guys have tips or pics of how you did yours that you could share?

 

Depending on your weight distribution, 

either directly behind you, yes, in a box, 

or in the front.

 

Fortunately for me, my Native Ultimate

has thwarts - like a canoe - to which I 

use a short bungie to attach to the box

handles, wrap the twart, then to the other 

box handle. Works great.

 

Best thing I ever did, though, was to down-

size my battery from a size 24 weighing 

around 60 pounds to an AGM, sealed, 

deep charge wheelchair battery. Lasts me

just fine, and cut the weight in half.

 

 

Edit: just added above pic, old, but you can

see where I store my battery (the pic is the old, 

heavy battery. New one is in same spot).

[DogBone_384]

I use a Pelican case big enough to hold a battery and my Lowrance 4X and use industrial velcro to keep it in the hatch, as close to the center of the yaks.

I use a 24 amp/hour battery that last nearly the whole season w/o recharching. A waterproof quick connect allows me to use my motorcycle's BatteryTender to charge it when it needs it.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Ballast and trim are key factors to keep in mind when deciding on a location in your hull.  I prefer to keep mine in the bow area, since most weight in a kayak is located in the center and rear.  While I now use a Hobie specific battery holder, I started with a simple Pelican case and placed it in the bow area of my first two kayaks.

[NJBasstard]

I should have said in my original post that I have one of those small Cabelas 8amp batteries I'll be using for now. The problem I'm having with putting it in the front hatch is that it can't sit flat due to the 'V' shape. It can also fit through the center hatch which would give me a much flatter surface to work with. I'd feel more comfortable with it strapped or bungied like DarrenM suggested but I don't know what I'd attatch too inside my hull.. so it looks like the velcro method  is my best option right now besides placing it in my rear storage area. I'll take a look at it again later today and see if I can figure something out.

[Dogmatic]

 

...Best thing I ever did, though, was to down-

size my battery from a size 24 weighing 

around 60 pounds to an AGM, sealed, 

deep charge wheelchair battery. Lasts me

just fine, and cut the weight in half.

 

 

Edit: just added above pic, old, but you can

see where I store my battery (the pic is the old, 

heavy battery. New one is in same spot).

Wish someone suggested the wheel chair batteries to me a long time ago! Definitely the way to go when dealing with small crafts. Although the OP is only using a little 8ah for his electronics. Weight and size not much of a problem.

[Hanover_Yakker]

I should have said in my original post that I have one of those small Cabelas 8amp batteries I'll be using for now. The problem I'm having with putting it in the front hatch is that it can't sit flat due to the 'V' shape. It can also fit through the center hatch which would give me a much flatter surface to work with. I'd feel more comfortable with it strapped or bungied like DarrenM suggested but I don't know what I'd attatch too inside my hull.. so it looks like the velcro method  is my best option right now besides placing it in my rear storage area. I'll take a look at it again later today and see if I can figure something out.

 

I would recommend pool noodles and other forms of closed cell foam.  You can cut and shape it to fit your hull shape.  Once installed, it also serves as a noise deadening barrier and helps hold your battery box in place.  With a Pelican style container, you also will realize that the weight of the battery box itself will help keep it fairly motionless.  You can also place those cabinet door bumpers with the adhesive backs on them to act as stoppers as well to hold the box in place.

 

Home Depot and Lowes are you friends here because you can walk around and get some ideas.