Lightest battery for fish finder

[Speck Tackler]

What is the lightest battery that ya’ll have found which can power a depth finder. I am using a Humminbird PiranhaMAX so it should not be pulling that much power. I was using a trolling moter battery but I was thinking about going lighter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I was also thinking about stringing together two 6 volt batteries as well.
I found the advice below on a web page. Sounds like it would work but I am definitely not an expert when it comes to electricity.

Connecting Two 6 Volt Batteries

Assuming both batteries are alike in voltage, and preferably current:

For twelve volts, connect the negative to the positive of the other. That will be a series connection, and then use the open negative and positive connections for 12 volt operation.

For 6 volts, but twice the power, connect the positive to the positive and the negative to negative, and use this combination for six volt operation but twice the available current.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER connect two batteries together with one's positive to the other's negative and the negative to the other's positive. Results? BOOOM!!!!! (And I'm not joking.)

[Thinwater skinner]

Get the Deer Feeder Battery... about 20 bucks. TSC Tractor, Wal Mart, Ace Hardware..... make sure to get the 12V kind...

[Mythman]

Recently Wolfman57 posted up an installation of an Eagle Cuda and he used 8 AA batteries in a sequence to supply the 12V necessary and put them in a waterproof bag and attached the bag to the bottom of a hatch on his kayak. I fish with him last Wednesday and am witness that it worked! Says he get about 5 trips out of a set of batteries.

Here is a link to his pics of the batteries.

http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb55 ... SC%202009/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is the lightest I have seen.

[Phishtech]

Radio Shack has the 8 pak AA battery holders for just a couple of dollars. They have the regular 9volt connections on top. I just wrapped my wires on each post, twisted them tight, then covered them with electricians tape, put them in one of the lockable Rubbermaid containers from Walmart. 8 AA batteries will run your FF at least 15 hours, probably more. The whole mess probably weighs a pound.

[Speck Tackler]

Thanks for the tips. BTW Mythman that is a beautiful red. I can not wait for the weather to warm up so the reds get their "spunk" back.

[chronacast]

Get the Deer Feeder Battery... about 20 bucks. TSC Tractor, Wal Mart, Ace Hardware..... make sure to get the 12V kind...

x2

[friscotodd1]

the "lightest" practical method would be using 8aa lithium batteries (non rechargeable) almost as light is the rechargeable metal hydride.. and depending on the FF you might be able to use 6 of the non-rechargeable since many FF work just fine using 9V... that is really getting picky about weight though...

[mikeridgeway]

will this work on a 987si???

[AyJay]

I went to Fry's and got a 8 x AA Battery 12V series holder, and put the leads from it throgh 2 sealed holes in a waterproof case just big enough to fit it. Used rechargeables. It'll last about 3 trips, or about 24 hours constant run time.

[SteveK]

It's hard to beat this, try a Li-Po battery
This one fits into the bass of the Cuda FF

[ZR2Chevy22]

Bad thing about Li-po batteries is the fire hazard when charging or over discharging. Plus saltwater is what's used to make li-po's inert and safe to throw in the trash. I would stay away from using lipo's in a saltwater application or any water for that matter.

Andrew

[Mackinnon4528]

I recently installed a cuda fishfinder on my tarpon 140 and utilized eight "AA" batteries to power the fishfinder. I have been on the water three times for several hours and still have 60 percent battery life left. just roll the battery cradle up into a waterproof bag and off you go.

[habanerojooz]

will this work on a 987si???

The high resolution GPS combo color units require a bit more juice than the normal units. You might get an 8 AA pack to work, but I'd imagine that it won't last very long with the 987si.

I have a 597si and I use a deer feeder battery.

[BassYak'n]

Go to BatteriesPlus and you will find a wide array of sealed 12volt batteries at a variety of prices. Make sure you know how many amps your finder draws.

[habanerojooz]

What is the lightest battery that ya’ll have found which can power a depth finder. I am using a Humminbird PiranhaMAX so it should not be pulling that much power. I was using a trolling moter battery but I was thinking about going lighter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I use the deer feeder battery most of the time.

But if you want a rechargeable 12v sealed battery that is smaller and lighter than a deer feeder battery, a Werker battery from Batteries Plus is a good option.
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... r#p1228521" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[FishingSETX]

It's hard to beat this, try a Li-Po battery
This one fits into the bass of the Cuda FF

Li-Po's are great for the RC world, but they need a much faster discharge than a FF, they are an extreme fire hazard (check youtube), and cost quite a bit of $$!!! Mainly designed for high discharge rates of RC planes, cars and helicopters.

[DOGNEWS]

ACK guys in houston have a AA battery kit for fishfinders. check there website or call direct for specs and compatability.

good luck LN

[SOUTHWESTPADDLESPORTS]

You can get that same 8 AA pack at any Radio Shack or Wal-mart, just make sure you get rechargable batteries, the ones that come in the kits only last a few trips and then you have to get more. Plus rechargable batteries keep the number of batteries in our landfills to a minimum.

Chris
SWPS
281-292-5600

[pershing]

I use the 8 AA's pack with the radio shack battery holster. I bought the 9v connector for ease of remaval for recharging. I got a cuda 300 and it lasts me all day. I imagine it could last multiple days but I never risk it. Always recharge overnight. You can see the setup on this thread....

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... 3&t=151086

[RiveRover]

I use the 8 AA set up with the 9v connector and I can get 2 full days out of my Cuda 350S Map.

[oarfish]

I also use the 8 AA battery set with the 9V connector. Mine is mounted on the underside my front hatch in a waterproof electrical box.

[Mojo227]

Home Depot has a 12v battery for automatic gate openers for about $20.Thats what I use.Hardly ever have to charge it.

[Maverickpro203]

Great info, for sure

[G-Man]

I also use the 8 AA battery set with the 9V connector.

X2, and its an easy install.

G-Man

[pearow]

6 volt to 12 volt question???
lightest batteries I could find were 2 6volt 4.5 ah batteries.(sealed lead-acid) If I hook them up in a series, connecting one negative and one positive on each battery, then the negative and positive terminals remaining open will be 12 volts. Is this correct? Then, if each of the 6v batteries have a capacity of 4.5Ah, then the 12 volt from the above series hook up would have a total of 9Ah??? I'm just wanting to be sure I understand this before I go to the trouble of hooking them up or blow em up-p-