questions on how to power a fish finder. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

battleborn · 03-15-2018, 11:33 AM

charge with solar or charge off another battery, alternator. batteries get heavy. if you were inclined you could switch to a lithium ion or li poly. in a waterproof box. more juice for given form factor but be advised on need for special chargers

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Mr. NiceGuy · 03-15-2018, 12:17 PM

I use this 12v battery as a dedicated battery for my fish finder. It lasts for a long time. Certainly longer than a day but I still give it a charge before every trip to be sure.

It's only $26, compared to the same thing from Hobie for $69

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hang it from the lid rim of my back hatch with one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Hobie-12V-Bat...battery+holder

I have a similar second 6v battery for my bait tank pump. It also lasts more than a day.

goldenglory18 · 03-15-2018, 12:21 PM

Your best case scenario for that boat and using the flex pod is a non-SLA battery IN A SEALED CONTAINER. Just be aware that these batteries are more expensive, but are smaller, lighter, and last longer than their lead counterparts.

The flex pod, as cool an idea as it is, and as well thought out as it is for an angler, is not waterproof, and is barely water resistant. Whatever you put in there, make sure its in a sealed and protected container, or is ok to get wet without exploding in a fiery blaze...

WestFork · 03-15-2018, 12:34 PM

That FF (Simrad GO7) is rated for a little less than one amp-hour (950 mA-hour) but has a maximum power use of more like 1.6 AH, so if you use backlighting, GPS and a high energy draw transducer continuously, even a 12 amp-hour battery isn't going to be enough for a full day. A 20 AH battery will weigh a bit over 12 pounds (sealed lead acid). Does require a charger for small batteries (not a car charger) but is cheaper first cost than the seriously more expensive alternatives which take a different, special charger.

MMc · 03-15-2018, 04:59 PM

Thank you all for filling me in. What kind of finders are you using? The Simrad looks good but I am on no way tied to it. It looks very easy to use which is good. If another can be used for 8 hours, it would be very attractive.
Thanks
MMc

03-15-2018, 12:17 PM	#2
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 838	I use this 12v battery as a dedicated battery for my fish finder. It lasts for a long time. Certainly longer than a day but I still give it a charge before every trip to be sure. It's only $26, compared to the same thing from Hobie for $69 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I hang it from the lid rim of my back hatch with one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Hobie-12V-Bat...battery+holder I have a similar second 6v battery for my bait tank pump. It also lasts more than a day. __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 03-15-2018 at 12:30 PM.

03-15-2018, 11:33 AM	#1
battleborn Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 221	charge with solar or charge off another battery, alternator. batteries get heavy. if you were inclined you could switch to a lithium ion or li poly. in a waterproof box. more juice for given form factor but be advised on need for special chargers Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

03-15-2018, 12:21 PM	#3
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Your best case scenario for that boat and using the flex pod is a non-SLA battery IN A SEALED CONTAINER. Just be aware that these batteries are more expensive, but are smaller, lighter, and last longer than their lead counterparts. The flex pod, as cool an idea as it is, and as well thought out as it is for an angler, is not waterproof, and is barely water resistant. Whatever you put in there, make sure its in a sealed and protected container, or is ok to get wet without exploding in a fiery blaze...

03-15-2018, 12:34 PM	#4
WestFork Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 46	That FF (Simrad GO7) is rated for a little less than one amp-hour (950 mA-hour) but has a maximum power use of more like 1.6 AH, so if you use backlighting, GPS and a high energy draw transducer continuously, even a 12 amp-hour battery isn't going to be enough for a full day. A 20 AH battery will weigh a bit over 12 pounds (sealed lead acid). Does require a charger for small batteries (not a car charger) but is cheaper first cost than the seriously more expensive alternatives which take a different, special charger.

03-15-2018, 04:59 PM	#5
MMc Junior Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 6	Thank you all for filling me in. What kind of finders are you using? The Simrad looks good but I am on no way tied to it. It looks very easy to use which is good. If another can be used for 8 hours, it would be very attractive. Thanks MMc