mounting solutions

J

johnbenj

New member
Hello Friends

I am about to embark on a few electronic projects such as adding a battery charger and a AC distribution panel.

To get me started I wanted to ask for the best solutions to mounting a battery charger inside the starboard lazerette, on the aft-most wall.

Drilling and screwing hole directly into the fiberglass seems like a bad idea. :lol:

I could see glueing a 1/2 inch piece of plywood (?) to the wall and then screwing the battery charger to that board. Is that a good idea? What type of adhesive? Any special tips or tricks for newbie would be appreciated.

I really don't want to drill holes all the way through the boat if I don't have to!

Thanks very much.[/quote]
 
I put mine inside the cabin on the aft starboard wall. On the outside, I have a rod holder that is through bolted into a plywood sheet in the cabin. I screwed the charger into the plywood.

Steve
 
Hi John,

I'm not sure about the location you have chosen. Most of the battery chargers I have seen on boats are mounted somewhere in the cabin. Access would also be pretty tough back there. Maybe someone else can help with that.

As far as mounting a board in the lazarette, that I can help with. I just mounted a small piece of 3/8" plywood for an automatic charging relay. I cut the board to the correct size, drilled the mounting holes, gave it several coats of varnish, and then roughed up the back with a drill bit to give the glue something to stick to. I used 4200 as the main adhesive, but I also used some 5 miniute epoxy on the ends. That way I was able to hold it in place until the expoxy set. A day or so later the 4200 set.

Rob
 
I agree that most of the battery chargers in the C Dories are mounted in the cabins to keep them out of the weather and spray. I have mounted wood to the glass in two ways: One is to do a little cutting on the back side of the wood, just shallow cuts, to give the epoxy more tooth. Sand the glass on the non finished side--and stick the plywood on with epoxy. I use a quick set epoxy--so I hold it in place while it goes off. Another way, is to use glass cloth over the plywood. I like to seal any plywood in the exposed part of the boat with epoxy. Just paint the epoxy on, with a disposiable brush or use a squeegee and spread it around on the surfaces.

The other way is to use quick set 5200--and use a brace to keep it in place.

If you want to bolt thru the glass, then use a oval or flat head machine screw and "finish washers"--these are the washers which have lips on them, and are flush with the machine screw head.
 
Polyester resin has an affinity for itself.... so if you wanted, your could rough up the surface you wanted to mount something to, and fiberglass in a mounting plate...or even a mounting rail to attach multiple items...it becomes part of the hull and makes a really nice mounting surface that way. I use West Systems epoxy, it is very easy to work with and is strong as steel once set... wonderful stuff.

Joel
SEA3PO
 
A few things to think about. First, the chargers are designed to work well even when 8' of properly sized cable is needed. Next, if you go inside then you are halfway to having shore power and even if you do not now have a 2nd battery, adding it would be less of a project. Next, the charger generates a small amount of heat and this helps keep the under counter area dry.
I have a house gellcell under the heater and the charger is mounted on the interior divider between the cabinet under the heater/sink and the one under the captains seat. It plugs into a 15AMP GFI double outlet nearby which leaves a free outlet for a dryer or electric heater while at home or at the dock. I borrowed the design from another C-brat thread.
 
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