kjsouth Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 I have a canoe that I'd like to put a fish finder on and more specifically, I'd like to put a Garmin Echo 100 on it. The number one concern I have is how would i power it? I wouldn't mind putting a large battery and hooking it up that way but does it work like that? I would like to see your comments and tips. thank you! Quote
Dave P Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 That will work fine. I use flat connectors or you can use small alligator clips to attach the wires to the posts. You might also consider a smaller 12v battery since they don't draw that much juice. The biggest PITA is getting the transducer rigged up and clamped down. If you've got motor mounts, that would work. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted June 8, 2012 Super User Posted June 8, 2012 Get one of the small, sealed 7 or 8 amp-hour batteries - Cabelas and others have them. It will power your sonar all day long - maybe several days for that matter. Humminbird supplies the same type of battery with it's 570 portable. On the transducer, I made a "dashboard" for my canoe that has the sonar, a rod holder, and a Slidetrax transducer deployment arm (see photos). Wanna run the sonar - use the dashboard and plug the unit into your battery. Don't want to use the sonar, leave the dashboard and battery at home... 1 Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 nice set up Goose52! I want to do the same thing to my Radisson when I get some time. Quote
Super User webertime Posted June 8, 2012 Super User Posted June 8, 2012 I used duct seal (very durable and stable putty) that you build a well/tub with, put some water in it and drop the transducer in it. I was using a portable fishfinder and hated the transducer getting fouled up outside the hull, this solved it. It's like $5 in the electical isle at Home Depot. Goose's Battery idea is great if you don't go with a portable model. Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 type 'transducer' or portable in the search of forums. there are great set ups. some guys that rent jon boats for the day are using a beer cooler for their set up. (great if ur moving from canoe to buddy's boat, to renting etc). keep the battery in cooler and mount sonar unit to top of lid. webertime, i guess the transducer works ok thru the kayak plastic. wondering if it would work thru an aluminum canoe Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted June 8, 2012 Super User Posted June 8, 2012 nice set up Goose52! I want to do the same thing to my Radisson when I get some time. Thanks! I have about the most "pimped-out" Radisson on the planet - the dashboard is only part of it. It's sorta a bass boat that I can car-top... Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted June 9, 2012 Posted June 9, 2012 Post more pictures! I'd love to see close-ups of ur dash etc. Kayak guys have Radisson *** and give me compliments every time they see me standing up fishing or stretching. I have a I2' Pointed ($300) and a 14' Pointed ($200) at a local quarantined reservoir. Is ur's pointed or square back? I was thinking about trying the transom if I come across a bargain on CL. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted June 9, 2012 Super User Posted June 9, 2012 Here's a photo of the rigged canoe that shows the dashboard installed (taken last year with the older HB 570 unit). Mods to the canoe include: TM, forward (actually aft since I motor the canoe backwards) mounted battery, extended TM cables in a conduit run; outriggers; anchor system; dashboard w/sonar; 5 rod positions, converted to solo by removing the original rear seat (that's where the battery is now), etc. The idea is to have as much capability as possible and still be car-toppable with no special roof rack (and no trailer, no truck, no consuming a garage space). Just modular, lightweight, and plenty capable for my little lakes. Little to no maintenance, no gasoline or tune-ups required......just fish...... If you have any questions about the mods, we should probably start a new thread and not take over the OP's original thread... 1 Quote
WookieeJedi Posted June 9, 2012 Posted June 9, 2012 I have a Lowrance Max-4 on a kayak, and I use a small deer-feeder type battery to run it. It can run for nearly three full days on a charge. A lot of those batteries even come with a charger, it is just a 12v inverter plug with alligator clips. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted June 9, 2012 Super User Posted June 9, 2012 type 'transducer' or portable in the search of forums. there are great set ups. some guys that rent jon boats for the day are using a beer cooler for their set up. (great if ur moving from canoe to buddy's boat, to renting etc). keep the battery in cooler and mount sonar unit to top of lid. webertime, i guess the transducer works ok thru the kayak plastic. wondering if it would work thru an aluminum canoe Transducers don't get good accuracy or readings through aluminum, EXCEPT a transducer that is made for that purpose. Google "Alumaducer". I use one in my Tracker hull. You can also install a thru-hull transducer that requires drilling a hole about 1"-2" in the hull to have the transducer face on the outside. Most sonar brands have that type of transducer available. Quote
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