Center console opinion

[ba_fisher]

Hi Folks, what do you think about this console for a 4.2 meter RIB?

+ Will I be able to fit a battery inside? It doesn't have a hatch door. Should I put the battery into some place safer?

+ Will "roto-molded white plastic" fade/discolor?


---------------------- from the seller's web site:

"Standard Steering Console with Windshield and Handrail"

Standard Steering Console with Windshield and Handrail


This steering console is made of sturdy, roto-molded white plastic
Includes a Windshield and Handrail
The surface area is design to fit common steer controls and gauges
Dimensions:
Height: 36"
Height to Top of Handrail: 46"
Depth: 16"
Width Top: 14"
Width Bottom: 17-3/4"

[chris.moody]

I have my battery under the seat in my SR4 console.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Looking at it you should be able to put circular hatch in the vertical surface above the bottom opening then fit a shelf making a roof for the opening as it where put battery on that shelf it should give protection if your boat got swamped being quite high up will also give a little dry storage area too for valuables
Regards jeff

[ba_fisher]

Jeff, Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know what size battery I should get for a new 30hp Suzuki 4 stroke with electric start, power tilt/trim? I also want to power a fish finder/GPS and a VHF radio.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by ba_fisher

Jeff, Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know what size battery I should get for a new 30hp Suzuki 4 stroke with electric start, power tilt/trim? I also want to power a fish finder/GPS and a VHF radio.

Depends how long you might want to drift around with the engine off and the electronics on. If essentially you will be only using the electronics with the engine running an all you need is power to start the engine and some reserve for emergencies then a small motorbike battery will be fine (I run mine - similar power draw but no Trim/tilt - on a 21Ah jump start pack battery). If you are likely to be doing a lot of stop start, or drifting with the electronics on then any small car battery will be fine.

[ba_fisher]

Will this battery be OK. It has 32 Ah.

Gel-Tech Dual Purpose Marine Battery

Gel-Tech Dual Purpose Marine Battery
12 Volt, Type: Gel, Group: U1
Amp Hours: 32, Reserve Capacity: 47, MCA / Cranking Amps: 250
Terminals: Nut & Bolt

Gel-Tech sealed gel batteries are completely maintenance free, tolerate a wide temperature range, can be operated in any position and withstand severe shock and vibration. Manufactured by the same company who makes Prevailer batteries, Gel-Tech sealed gel batteries offer superior performance.

Features:

Both a starting and deep cycle battery
Can be stored for 24 months without recharging
Recover 100% from deep discharge
Provide exceptional starting power
Completely maintenance free
Allows for faster recharge
Eliminates vibration Damage
Four times longer life than traditional wet batteries
Spill proof
Leak proof
Warranty: 12 Month Replacement Period, and a 60 Month Pro-Rated Credit (activated on purchase date)
Specifications:

Volts: 12
Amp Hours: 32
Reserve Capacity: 47
MCA / Cranking Amps: 250
Dimensions: 8.313" L x 5.25" W x 7.25" H
Terminal Type: Nut & Bolt

[Poly]

yes - but it might just be local cost differences but that seems very expensive... ...are you paying a premium for the word marine?

[tworotorturbo]

That will make a great console for a small rib. You can mount an antenna and nav lights to the rail.

The white should not fade or discolor. I would recommend the biggest battery that can fit down there. Just put it in a battery box with the cover and use a strap down kit. This is all available at a local West Marine.

[ba_fisher]

The Get-Tech one claims to be 'dual purpose' to support both starting the motor and deep-cycle use for electronics while the motor is off.

[ba_fisher]

BTW, what material should I use to build a shelf inside this console? Marine plywood?

I would like to avoid using any sort of screws as possible. I am thinking of glueing 4 plastic "legs" to the for corners of the inside of the console, and glue a sturdy plastic board on top of the legs. What kind of glues can I use?

[jyasaki]

Gel batteries are expensive, and require pretty precise control on charging. Peter_C can give more info on that part.

For a smallish motor, driving minimal electronics for not really long periods, battery selection is not that critical. Any starting battery should do fine. If you expect to run electronics for long periods while drifting or anchored, go with a dual purpose style (though there is some speculation they're not all that different.) Check the Interstate website; they have pretty good info (as I recall - I ended up with a couple of blue-top Optimas.) West Marine is selling Duracell batteries - they looked OK to me, but didn't come in the size I needed.

You probably won't get much benefit from a deep cycle battery unless you really run it down without the motor running.

jky

[jeffstevens763@g]

hi bud

i would use marine ply flow coated same shade as consul four SST brackets underneath bolted through must be strong due to pounding in rough conditions.in a battery box with ratchet strap around battery.only four bolts and would look neat dome heads with Allen key in the center
the battery i use is a numax dual cycle marine battery plenty of starting power and will run accessories for a long time cost £100.00 GBP.
have used ordinary car batteries in the past with no probs IMO i like plenty of power available, i once had a kill switch wedge [dont know the terminology]snap at the base by the time we found the problem we had tried starting the engine lots of times a small battery would have gone flat.
also the numax has a charge indicator which is handy.

hope that helps