620 SF Battery removal

[whichway]

Sorry this is a pretty specific question relating to Haines 620 SFs, athough other boats may also have a similar problem.

The battery is located below the live bait tank. Is there an easy way (or in fact any way) to get the battery out. The height between the base of the live bait tank and the lip at the rear of the deck is less than the height of the battery. I will have to tilt the battery over to the point where I am worried that the acid will spill out. The weight of the battery makes removal difficult as well.

I know that some of the Signatures put the batteries up high in the live bait tank, but this seems to be a bit of a waste of the live bait tank.

Has anyone else got this problem sorted out?

Regards

Whichway ???

PS Has anyone relocated the battery to the bow of the boat (in a plastic box of course)? Additional leads and stuffing around etc do not make this a very attractive option.

[bugman]

sorry whichway don't have that specific boat but I can give you advise on front mounting batteries.

As a rule - don't do it - the further forward in a boat the more movement - jolting - bouncing etc from wave movement.

This will significantly reduce the life of your battery. Wet cell batteries don't like being shaken all that much.

Bugman

[cooky]

i don't have a haines, but a glass boat (northbank 5.4) and had the same problem. Mine was a VERY tight fit - I had to tilt, bugger around, swear loudly and finally got it in. Was too difficult for me to get the negative terminal tightened so I was smart and waiting for the outboard mechanic to service motor and said "heh while you're there could you just tighten the battery terminals" - he got to swear then!

Solution - source a smaller battery. The battery that was in my boat was substaintially smaller than the new one in physical size. You can also get sealed batteries that don't leak acid.

[Dignity]

had to replace both my batteries and had similar problem - unless the batteries are overfilled you should be able to tilt them to 45degrees without spillage - Itried it out of the boat first with the replacement battery (tops off) so you can see how far you can tilt it so you will feel comfortable with it - with the tops on you probably have a little more leeway

[SeaSaw]

I have the same problem with the Haines 680 SF. I'm with Dignity and just tilt them on about 45degrees with the caps on to get them out. I have never had a problem with spillage doing this.

Cheers,

Mark

[Smithy]

Signatures are just as much a problem. We have two shoehorned into the starboard aft corner on our 702 and we suspected they were a bit dodgey so removed them both by tilting. Problem is the cabling which sits over the top of them. Hope these last a few years before we have to do it again. A s#*t of a job. Could like at Odesseys which are small for good reserve and cranking capactity. They are sealed so can be moved in any direction or mounted any way. Problem is they are bloody expensive and they have a metal case which rusts. I am running one for my electric on my tinny and it is great. I can fit it into one of those standard grey plastic hatches. Fitting it it in there was my main consideration when purchasing it. I can go a full weekend of Bass fishing if the wind isn't to strong. We use them at work (Council) as well. Great in rollers and things that can sit for weeks and not be used. They don't discharge and have great CCA cranking ability.

[whichway]

Thanks for all the feedback.

It's good to know that others also have similar problems - You would think that the manufacturers would give this some more thought - it's hardly rocket science to work out how big a battery is, and it would be fairly simple to design out the problem

Regards

Whichway

[cooky]

the world of business is so competitive that these sort of examples are often the result.

It's all about Marketing and 'perception'

You may have the best product in the world, but people need to 'perceive / believe' this to be the case. Unfortunately it's mostly the average products that understand marketing the best and people 'perceive' them to be superior.

Bit off the track, but still relevant.

On the showroom floor boat salespeople will find it easier to SELL the additional space rather than "look here, when you need to remove your battery it's easy - there's all this room"

It's why often the best 'looking, aesthetically pleasing" product will outsell the most 'practical solution'.

If women were the boating fanatics instead of men, it would be worse. The most colourful, colour co-ordinated, smooth, stylish boats with large rear vision mirrors would be winners

[Dignity]

mmmm - rear vision mirrors, though something was missing from my boat

Sam

[hoga]

i have a 620 sf and know wear you are coming from just tilt them i havent had any spillage only do it once a year so no real drama hoga

[troy]

put tape over breathing holes before tilting
troy