Installing a charger

[Al Greco]

I'm looking to install an onboard charger and was wondering what length screws to use? I don't want to go too deep, but don't really know how thick the transom area is on a 170DC.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Al, Try to find an alternate mounting location. You really don't want to put many holes in the transom. The more penetrations, the more likely water will find a way in there and the transom with deteriorate. Find a spot say behind the seats or under a storage compartment, but that also allows the mfr required space so the unit can get proper circulation. Really with 4 mounting screws, 1 1/2" should be more than adequate. I will try to take some pics of mine while installing next week for referrence if you like.

THERE 3196!

 

[Rich Stern]

As an alternative, you can mount it to a small board, and use 3M 4200 or 5200 to attach the board to the transom without using screws.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Rich, do you think that will hold over time? The insulation factor would definately help eliminate vibration. I would think it might let go eventually though.

 

[Rich Stern]

Rob, with a little attention to surface prep (clean, and a lite sanding), that 3M stuff is tenacious.



An alternative would be to epoxy and/or glass the board in place, and then screw in the charger, but that's overkill.



FYI, when I had a 170, I put my charger where Al is considering, screwed directly to the transom. I was careful with drilling depth and screw depth, and prepped the mounting holes and screws with silicone. Same thing with my 700.



Al, if you take your time to do it right, you won't have problems.

 

[Don Wilhelm]

Al, my 180tf has small plastic "board" over the bilge area. both of my chargers are mounted to it..Does your 170 have such an animal?

 

[Al Greco]

Don, The 170 doesn't have the plastic board like your 180tf. I am very hesitant in drilling holes but want the charger to be held firmly. I think I will take Rich's advice and not be in a hurry and make a big mistake. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Staci Matheis]

Al -



Your transom is something like 3 or 4 inches thick.....



I used 1" stainless screws to hold mine to the transom; I forget the type that they're called - something like "sheet metal". I predrilled slightly less than the depth that the screws would reach and coated the screws with silicone thoroughly before installation. It should last forever that way with no damage.



me!

 

[James D.]

have the 700lx and i mounted my charger to a thin metal plate and then mounted the plate with the charger in one of the rod lockers using washers and machine screws. the screws are easy to get to as they come out under the console. it also seamed to be the best spot as far as the cable lengths provided with the charger. i also put in a marinco ac covered receptacle. it was a little nerve racking to drill a 1 7/8 inch hole in my boat, but the rota zip tool did a great job.



another idea i had was to get a piece of metal or wood or even a plastic cutting board and drill a couple of holes, place a bushing in and mount this between long motor bolts already in the transom. i figured the mounting would be good, but the rod locker would be a better environment as far as getting wet.



another idea was to mount to the back of the seats under the rear deck using the seat's existing bolts.



last idea was to glass in a 3/4" piece of plywood in the transom area.