7" + fish finders and batteries?
 

just wondering who here is running a huge screened fish finder or something that pulls a lot of power and what you've done to power it.

I don't have anything specific in mind but I got to thinking and was looking at motorcycle batteries and a solar charger.

I have an HDI 7 and use a 12AH sealed lead acid battery, I've run it for 9.5 hours before with no problems

Are you planning a multi day trip? Just curious why you're considering a solar charger. If you go that route please let me know how it goes. I want to wire a solar panel for a sail to Catalina next summer

Just got my Raymarine A98 today and was thumbing through install manual. Even at full screen brightness this unit draws only 6.5w so a standard 12v 9ah battery will run this unit for plenty of time and it is huge, fully featured and touch screen. With that said I se most these larger units being more power friendly than small units of days past. Technology has definitely caught up in the sonar world.

I got a great deal on a new HDS-8 and plan on an OEX (of course) 12v battery system for a new Kayak (was planning on a new Outback but with the rectangular hatch/bucket not an option, need to rethink a Kayak that will store my Fly Cases)! Just a little overkill just like the 12v for my '12 Outback for my elite-5x DSI. I have a HOBIE bait tank and as you know it has it's own 6v battery so no issues there.
After reading the owner's manual I don't plan on any problems with it. I have a couple solar generators (Sunpower solar panel & Goal Zero Yeti 150) and panel and plan on buying an extra 12v battery for multi-day trips where there is no external power available.
Just my .02
FFY. :sifone:

I got this guy a few months ago.
http://www.bioennopower.com/collecti...ifepo4-battery

A bit pricey but unbelievable performance. I have no idea how long it stays charged under load but I have fished for 10 hours and the voltage moved from 13.3 V to 13.0 v. using my Elite 5 DSI. 1/3 the weight of normal battery. I believe I could fish 2 days without a charge.

17.6 Amp hour LIPO for $131.00.
http://www.all-battery.com/Li-Ion186...PCB-31194.aspx

Hoping to get one pretty soon and ditch my lead acid. I've had good luck with LIPO's, I have run 8 amp hour packs with no problems, love that they charge up in two hours, but swapping on the water sucks. This 17.6 Amp hour beast will last all day. I plan on running two packs, one for the FF the other for the livewell. I'll put a variable volt switch on one feed to the livewell depending on how much is in there.

you can always convert to the square hatch if you didn't know. get the outback!!!!

tamddo714---The hatch fits but the bucket does not without modification to the bucket itself.

I have a HDS 7, works fine all day on a standard 12v.