5 replies to this topic

[ecklund]

Hi All-

I'm upgrading the stereo on my '01 Challenger, and would like to add some more battery capacity to the boat to support the audio gear.

Does anyone have any info or personal experience as to what I need for brackets, mounting locations, etc? I have a battery isolator from an older plow truck of mine that I could use to keep the two battery's from killing each other.

I ran a couple of searches on this board as well as some googling, but didn't come up with too much that I could use.

Thanks much for any wisdom you can share.
-e-

[Kevin Leclair]

Another member is looking to do the same thing here, http://seadoosportbo...tion-t2022.html. Maybe you guys could come up with some type of how-to between the two of you?

[Mr4thdimension]

Another member is looking to do the same thing here, http://seadoosportbo...tion-t2022.html. Maybe you guys could come up with some type of how-to between the two of you?

Like he said^ I am casually thinking about doing the same thing, and I am shooting from the hip too. What kinda gear did you get? I went with 4 Infinity Marine 6-1/2"s and an Infinity 4X75watt RMS amp to push em. Also may put in a 8" sub. I should be rockin that damn lake soon here. I am gonna have to find a place to drill 2 more holes for the extra 2 speakers, does anyone know anything in particular I should be aware of before doing so? I never cut into fiberglass before .

[dzpmantis]

Like he said^ I am casually thinking about doing the same thing, and I am shooting from the hip too. What kinda gear did you get? I went with 4 Infinity Marine 6-1/2"s and an Infinity 4X75watt RMS amp to push em. Also may put in a 8" sub. I should be rockin that damn lake soon here. I am gonna have to find a place to drill 2 more holes for the extra 2 speakers, does anyone know anything in particular I should be aware of before doing so? I never cut into fiberglass before .

Drilling fiberglass is not fun. You want to be sure to limit the amount of surface cracks that you make. I have always taped the area with painters tape, then drilled everything with the drill in reverse. Takes a little bit longer, but comes out cleaner. For round speakers, find the appropriate bi-metal hole saw and run it in reverse. I usually drill the pilot hole, then run the hole saw in reverse for a couple of minutes by hand in order to begin cutting throught the gel coat. If you use a jig saw or recip saw. Be sure to find a blade specially made for fiberglass. The higher teeth count per inch the better.

Another option is using a router, which works extreemly well. But I wouldnt suggest it without a respirator and lots of experience with "free routing"

Good Luck

[Mr4thdimension]

Drilling fiberglass is not fun. You want to be sure to limit the amount of surface cracks that you make. I have always taped the area with painters tape, then drilled everything with the drill in reverse. Takes a little bit longer, but comes out cleaner. For round speakers, find the appropriate bi-metal hole saw and run it in reverse. I usually drill the pilot hole, then run the hole saw in reverse for a couple of minutes by hand in order to begin cutting throught the gel coat. If you use a jig saw or recip saw. Be sure to find a blade specially made for fiberglass. The higher teeth count per inch the better.

Another option is using a router, which works extreemly well. But I wouldnt suggest it without a respirator and lots of experience with "free routing"

Good Luck

Thanks for the heads up. I will be using a recip since that is all I have available to me at the moment. I will do as you reccomend and run to Lowes and get a fine tooth blade for fiberglass. Should I still mask it all off with tape?

[dzpmantis]

Thanks for the heads up. I will be using a recip since that is all I have available to me at the moment. I will do as you reccomend and run to Lowes and get a fine tooth blade for fiberglass. Should I still mask it all off with tape?

I would still suggest masking it off. Make sure the blade has at min 32 TPI (teeth per inch). 40+ is even better. I have seen (but not used) the diamond blades that dont have teeth.

If you are using a recip, then be sure to score the gel coat with a good sharp knife on the outer edge of your cut. This should help keep it from chipping.

Take your time. The more time you spend working on it, the better it will probably come out. Good Luck.