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1988 Outrage 18 Battery placement
grexis	#1  Posted on 11/03/17 - 12:06 PM
Member Posts: 12 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/03/13	I'm new to this model. Does anyone know if moving the batteries to under the console is a good or bad idea? Seems like the weight is just more drag in the back. thanks
Phil T	#2  Posted on 11/03/17 - 2:04 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6985 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	Good for weight distribution, keeping them out of the elements and better location for master battery switch. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
grexis	#3  Posted on 11/03/17 - 2:52 PM
Member Posts: 12 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/03/13	Thanks Phil. That's what my thoughts were as well. Anyone else?
JRP	#4  Posted on 11/04/17 - 3:51 AM
Member Posts: 755 Comments: 2 Joined: 08/29/14	grexis wrote: Thanks Phil. That's what my thoughts were as well. Anyone else? Whaler eventually moved the battery to inside the console for the last rec model of that hull (19 Outrage II). So they obviously felt it was a good idea. I can't think of any downsides. Besides the weight, I have always felt having the battery just sitting there on deck in the stern sections looks a bit shabby, too.
DennisVollrath	#5  Posted on 11/04/17 - 11:16 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 298 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/29/10	I moved the batteries to a separate compartment under the console on my 1985 Outrage 18. There are some picture of this on my personal page. One other advantage is that I can carry tubs and buckets with crab/shrimp lines and floats in the splashwell, which keeps the rear deck clear for pots and pulling. Dennis 1985 Outrage 18 with Suzuki DF140A
Blackduck	#6  Posted on 11/04/17 - 1:46 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 519 Comments: 0 Joined: 02/25/06	Be sure to support the console floor. It was not designed to hold the weight of a battery. Walter Reynolds 1973 Boston Whaler 16 Nauset 90 HP Yamaha
DennisVollrath	#7  Posted on 11/04/17 - 2:50 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 298 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/29/10	Hi Walter, At least in my case, the rigid battery trays, thick coffin lid, and underlying foam seems to do an adequate job of transferring the stresses to the hull and tank. Knock on wood, but after 2 seasons with this arrangement I don't see any sagging or stress cracks. This is with 2 group 27 batteries, and some fairly bouncy water. I'd bet that leaving the foam in place on top of the tank if you ever remove the cover will help the battery situation. Dennis 1985 Outrage 18 with Suzuki DF140A
DennisVollrath	#8  Posted on 11/05/17 - 7:06 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 298 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/29/10	Careless reading of Walter's post on my part. He is pointing out the console floor will not support the weight of the batteries, while I was pointing out the deck is strong enough. My apologies! Dennis 1985 Outrage 18 with Suzuki DF140A
Phil T	#9  Posted on 11/05/17 - 9:27 AM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6985 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	I cut the floor just around the battery case and had the battery sitting on the deck. Lessens the room taken up. See my personal page, 1/2 way down. Edited by Phil T on 11/05/17 - 9:27 AM 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
grexis	#10  Posted on 11/07/17 - 5:06 AM
Member Posts: 12 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/03/13	Thank you all for your input. Quite helpful. We will be relocating the batteries to under the console. It will look neater for sure and free up weight off the tail end.
Reel Easy	#11  Posted on 11/09/17 - 7:52 AM
Member Posts: 196 Comments: 1 Joined: 06/17/14	Probably redundant but you will need to increase the guage of your battery cables to accomodate the increased distance between the battery and the motor. It muct be marine quality and count on spending some money.
Surfgod82	#12  Posted on 11/09/17 - 4:15 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 51 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/10/13	You can also use welding wire which is more flexible and easier to work with. Only thing is you will have to make the cables yourself. i moved my batteries to the console on my 1989 18’ outrage and it was the best thing i have done. Good luck
Walt Krafft	#13  Posted on 11/09/17 - 6:22 PM
Member Posts: 168 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/16/14	I have been very please buying cable, wire, and electrical parts from http://www.genuinedealz.com/