Openning Electric Engine Hatch

[Chas]

When my boat was winterized (by someone else), they disconneted the batteries and then shrink wrapped it. I am about to take off shrink wrap and start getting ready for the season, but need to open electric hatch to connect batteries. The boat originally came with a wire that clips to a battery and then plugs into power access under dash, but it didn't come with my used purchase. Has anyone ever used a portable battery charger for this purpose? Do they come with a cigarette lighter-like attachment to plug in under my dash? This seems like it would be easier than lifting a battery aboard and using one of those wires. Thanks, as this is my first year with this boat and I am still "Big Boat Dum."

 

[teddiamond]

I had a simular situation last week with my 330. There is a port in the hatch, remove it and the hatch activator is about 12" to the port, there is a pin in the end of the activator remove the pin and you can lift the hatch manually.

Hope this helps

Ted

 

[Chas]

I am aware of that method, but wanted to avoid it as the hatch is very heavy and didn't want to deal with it. A portable battery charger just seems to be a good solution if it works. Anybody use one?

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

I had to lift the hatch on my 300DA manually once and will hopefully never do it again. My hatch is a beast and was a real PITA to get open. If your not in a hurry, find the stock DC adapter. If you can't wait, find a cheap wired 12DV device, lop the wire and connect to a battery. Make sure the wire gage will support the load without meltdown.

 

[Alegria]

One of those portable automotive type power packs should do it. Plug it into the lighter adapter under the dash by the helm, turn on the 12V power either at the panel or at the battery switches and she will come right up.

Dealer did this to show us the engine while on land and sitting with batteries out. I am not sure exactly what he used but it looked like a normal automotive emergency jump type device that had the plug on it.

 

[SearayPaul]

Radio Shack sells a cigarette lighter adapter that will work fine. It has two lugs on it to attach the wire from the batterys. I just used a piece of 14/2 that I had in my work shop. I used it a couple of years ago to get my hatch open when my batteries were disconnected. Lesson learned I never let anyone disconect my batteries, but then I don't shrink wrap in the sunny south.

 

[dpmulvey]

One of those portable automotive type power packs should do it. Plug it into the lighter adapter under the dash by the helm, turn on the 12V power either at the panel or at the battery switches and she will come right up.

Dealer did this to show us the engine while on land and sitting with batteries out. I am not sure exactly what he used but it looked like a normal automotive emergency jump type device that had the plug on it.

AHYUP!!

I too have seen this done on several occasions. Slicker than owl sh!t.

 

[Chas]

I purchased one at the Sea Ray dealer and they are going to send me the plug. It is used for the engine hatch and it can be used with a portable battery jumper. Thanks for the help and for anyone else interested in openning a hatch, it will work. :thumbsup: