Summer Project::Battery Box Extension

[eleguy]

Everything does not have to be precision(?). Specially not during the summer time. Friend has a rubber boat with a front electric outboard motor. The outboard motor can be wireless controlled. Basic setup had a 100Ah battery somewhat directly connected to the motor. That setup kind of worked but had some limitations like

- battery exposed to sea water (yep somehow in the fishing boat it gets everywhere)
- cables had to be removed when carrying (heavy!) battery the charging "point"
- ugly
- ...

So, as a "quick" fix I decided to help him a bit and put the battery into the shop battery box. Now the battery was easier to carry (thanks to the handle) and it was somewhat protected from the seawater but the cable removal "issue" remained. Well, (at this point I already realized that feature creeping is close), as a second "quick" fix we installed better cabling with the "caravan connectors". So far all issues were tackled.

But, after more annoying issues are gone the less annoying features started to appear. Remote controlled outboard is nice and quiet. So quiet that it is close to impossible to say if it is running at low speed or not. The remote (Minn Kota) controller does not have any leds and it does not say in any way if it even has a battery installed. The motor plays audible tone when command is received but that's all. So, ready voltage / current meter module was installed.

Friend was super happy and so excited that bought a sonar and brought the box again back. So, as a  n-th fix connector for that was installed. At the same time sonar and outboard motor were placed behind own fused. Just in case outboard gets stuck and eats lots of current. Now even the 2nd fuse tripped the sonar (and some additional future stuff) would remain on. Handy when fishing "between stones".

So far here we are but I am certain the box will be still extended. Here are the pics. Not precision (as promised) but works...