6V - 12V ?

[Whizz Bang]

I love this thread!!!

I have a 12volt battery running my tank and it will die in about 7 hours. I hated this aspect of the tank and did not know that the answer was so simple.

Thanks guys.

[T Bone]

I run my FF and tank off one battery and use a time switch for the BT.I still like the idea of a 6v setup.

[habanero]

I run my FF and 12v pump off a 12v Batt. I carry two 8 amp hrs if I'm out all day and running the pump nonstop. (Running it down past 10.7v shortens the life) I was under the impression that lower voltage draws more amps or current? Isn't thyat why brown outs cause electronic stuff to burn out in your house? I trust you all are doing what you say but before I buy a 6v Batt to get more time with less waight, I'd like to know some more facts. Can anyone offer up some technical facts to set me straight?

[forefrazier]

Habanero....no technical facts here but since you are on a Hobie and already know that Hobie tanks come with 6v batteries, 12v pumps and are one of the best operating tanks out.......that should make your decision for you

[Rob929]

For you guys running 12 volts, if you want an easy option to control the volts going to your pump, go to Fry's electronics. In the computer fan area you will find a "fan speed control". It costs about $6 and gives you the ability to adjust your voltage from 3vdc- 12vdc using your 12 volt battery (thus allowing you to adjust your pumps flow rate). Its similar to a speed control unit you would find at a hobby shop to control electric motors in cars/ planes etc. This is a whole lot cheaper though.

If you already have a 12 volt setup (battery/ chargers etc) this is a great way to be able to tone your flow down, and save your battery. Not to mention if your battery is running your FF, you can have this "fan speed control" only wired inline with your bait pump, and still run full voltage to your FF.

As far as I understand, your run time is more about the Amp hour rating of the battery, not the volts. So, either way you go (6v or 12v) look for 6ah or above to get good run time on the water. (These batteries can also be found at Fry's. $19.99 for 6v 7ah, $26.99 for 12v 7ah.)

One final trick on a 12 volt setup is to reverse the polarity, which should make a noticeable decrease in pump flow (if you are running 12 volts straight to a 360gph or 500 gph your flow will be too high...

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Rob929

For you guys running 12 volts, if you want an easy option to control the volts going to your pump, go to Fry's electronics. In the computer fan area you will find a "fan speed control". It costs about $6 and gives you the ability to adjust your voltage from 3vdc- 12vdc using your 12 volt battery (thus allowing you to adjust your pumps flow rate).

If you already have a 12 volt setup (battery/ chargers etc) this is a great way to be able to tone your flow down, and save your battery. Not to mention if your battery is running your FF, you can have this "fan speed control" only wired inline with your bait pump, and still run full voltage to your FF.

I have been wondering if something like this existed, thanks for the info Rob.

Although I have plenty of juice with my current battery set-up, I really want to ditch the timer switch and reduce the noise from the pump. This should accomplish both and an easy enough mod to at least give a shot. Thanks again!

[Rob929]

I can't take all the credit, I ran across this info while researching for my own bait tank. These guys were using the hobby speed control though, so finding the "fan speed control" was a great alternative. Its already set up for 12 volt input.. Check out the pic in the link. Notice the little dial that adjusts voltage;

http://img.tomshardware.com/us/2003/..._fanmate_1.jpg

This is very similar to the one I found at Fry's

[buki]

V = I * R

Voltage is equal to Current times Resistance.

This is Ohm's Law.

Since the resistance is pretty much fixed for the bait tank, the only variable is the voltage and current. The voltage is directly proportional to current. This means that if the voltage goes up, the current goes up. If the voltage goes down, the current goes down.

Originally Posted by habanero

I run my FF and 12v pump off a 12v Batt. I carry two 8 amp hrs if I'm out all day and running the pump nonstop. (Running it down past 10.7v shortens the life) I was under the impression that lower voltage draws more amps or current? Isn't thyat why brown outs cause electronic stuff to burn out in your house? I trust you all are doing what you say but before I buy a 6v Batt to get more time with less waight, I'd like to know some more facts. Can anyone offer up some technical facts to set me straight?