Convert Bench Into Battery Compartment (1432 Alumacraft Jon)

[SCARNG2011]

Hey guys... i was wondering if there was anyone local in or near Atlanta, GA that has experience cutting battery/storage compartments in a jon boat bench... I have two deep cycle batteries in my rig that i'd like to recess down into my middle bench seat to free up some floorboard room (being that my jon is a 1432 i need all the space that i can get). I'd like to pay someone to do this for me as i'm not that experienced in cutting aluminum and making sealed compartment doors.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Zach

 

[Ail]

I'm not near there, and can't offer any suggestions of a paid service, but if you were to use those flush mount compartment lids, you could do a pretty rough cut on your own, and still fit them in snug to the bench. I cut my benches open to access the foam with a saws-all. :mrgreen:

Of course the lid would sit above the bench slightly rather than be flat. I'm not sure what that would cost to get done professionally, but just a suggestion.

Something like this: https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/product.do?part=82234&engine=adwords!6456&keyword=product_ad&gclid=COPmxp2Hj8ACFScV7AodbyoA3Q

Don't forget your foam is in those benches and every bit you remove is less you have!

 

[MrSimon]

Is the bench tall enough for you to cut access holes in the back of the bench and just slide the batteries in along the floor? If so, you wouldn't have to mess with the top of the bench at all.

 

[BigTerp]

You can cut the access holes in your bench with an angle grinder and cutoff wheel. You can then use some angle to make a frame that will fit a battery tray, using your hull ribs as support. This is basically how I did mine. I then contacted bassboy1 at FishOnFabrications for him to make me custom aluminum hatches. I have one in my rear bench with drop in liner for dry storage and 3 on my bow deck for access to my batteries and more storage.

Here is how I framed out my battery storage. The batteries sit in a battery tray that is screwed into the aluminum angle support.
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=26774&start=180

Here is the hatches I got from bassboy1
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=26774&start=225

And here is a link to FishOnFabrications, if your interested. You can also pm bassboy1 on here for information on hatches. I plan to eventually get another hatch with liner for my rear bench. And I wouldn't have anyone but him make it for me.
https://www.fishonfabrications.com/

 

[surfman]

MrSimon » 13 Aug 2014, 05:50[/url]"]Is the bench tall enough for you to cut access holes in the back of the bench and just slide the batteries in along the floor? If so, you wouldn't have to mess with the top of the bench at all.

The sheet metal is way too flimsy from my experiance, you would need to brace it. I am assuming the bench seat is foam filled.

 

[BigTerp]

surfman » Today, 7:22 am[/url]"]

MrSimon » 13 Aug 2014, 05:50[/url]"]Is the bench tall enough for you to cut access holes in the back of the bench and just slide the batteries in along the floor? If so, you wouldn't have to mess with the top of the bench at all.

The sheet metal is way too flimsy from my experiance, you would need to brace it. I am assuming the bench seat is foam filled.

I agree with this. Especially if your cutting into the bench from the side and not the top. I was skeptical about putting a hatch in my rear bench for fear of weaking it. Bassboy1 told me it would actually strengthen the top of the bench once I installed the frame and hatch. He was right. With my hatch and pin mounted seat I can install my 13" pedestal in my rear bench to elevate myself while fishing and it supports me just fine. And I'm 6'8" 275#'s.

 

[surfman]

Is that a concrete block for an anchor?

 

[SCARNG2011]

@surfman lol yes, I had taken my other anchor out of the jon to put on my center console... went to the lake last week and forgot to grab the anchor so I grab a cement block from DNR when I was out...

@Donor, dude... just that website alone was the answer for me! ( https://www.fishonfabrications.com/ ) i'm going to hit these guys up and see what they would charge to do the whole install for me... not very experienced with aluminum angle framing. thanks for all the suggestions, your build look top knotch!! (I've actually followed your build for quite some time now)

Zach

 

[BigTerp]

Thanks man!! I put ALOT of work and planning into my build. Really happy with how it turned out.

As far as framing with angle, it is a piece of cake for the most part. What your needing to do should be very simple and straight forward. This was the first time I've ever had to "frame" anything out, let alone work with aluminum. A little intimidating at first, but not a big deal.

 

[Dark3]

You can cut the access holes in your bench with an angle grinder and cutoff wheel. You can then use some angle to make a frame that will fit a battery tray, using your hull ribs as support. This is basically how I did mine. I then contacted bassboy1 at FishOnFabrications for him to make me custom aluminum hatches. I have one in my rear bench with drop in liner for dry storage and 3 on my bow deck for access to my batteries and more storage.

Here is how I framed out my battery storage. The batteries sit in a battery tray that is screwed into the aluminum angle support.
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=26774&start=180

Here is the hatches I got from bassboy1
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=26774&start=225

And here is a link to FishOnFabrications, if your interested. You can also pm bassboy1 on here for information on hatches. I plan to eventually get another hatch with liner for my rear bench. And I wouldn't have anyone but him make it for me.
https://www.fishonfabrications.com/

Also following but hey..what page is that battery project on. Im trakin 34 pages thats alot to comb thru