Battery Issue?

[JG233]

I fish out of a kayak and the battery life on my fish finder stinks. It only lasts around five or six hours. I've tried turning the brightness down, but then I can't see my screen with shades on. I'm running a Lowrance Hook 4x off the Berkley Battery Pack. What gives? Ideas from the pros? Thanks!

[Scott F]

How long did you charge the battery before you used it? Do you have a volt meter to check the battery?

[JG233]

Twelve hours or so. I don't have a volt meter, but the pack's light was green. It should've been full. 

[Scott F]

Which one do you have, the 2.4 amp hour or 9?

[DogBone_384]

Do you have any 12V power tools? I use my Milwaulkee M12 extended batteries to power my Hook-5. Each battery is light, gets me 5-6 hours and two batteries fit in a Pelican box that the Lowrance control head stays in when not in use.

 

Just food for thought. Look forward to a Quabbin trip next Summer.

[JG233]

@Scott Fit's 2.3 amp

 

@DogBone_384 I've got a Dewalt drill with 2 20v battery packs, but I've no idea how I'd hook those up to my finder

[moguy1973]

I wouldn't use a 20v battery on a 12v fish finder. 

 

I use one of these for my kayak fish finder and it works and lasts a long time.  $29.99 with charger.

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Rechargeable-Volt-Battery/700551.uts?productVariantId=1205523&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=00046500&rid=20&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6-rn7ojL1gIVEbnACh0bjwcnEAQYASABEgJpkfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Scott F]

12 minutes ago, JG233 said:

@Scott Fit's 2.3 amp

 

@DogBone_384 I've got a Dewalt drill with 2 20v battery packs, but I've no idea how I'd hook those up to my finder

For the size of the battery you are using, I think 5-6 hours is about right. If you want to have longer battery life, you'll need a bigger battery. 

[DogBone_384]

If you have a volt meter check the 20V battery's voltage across the two terminals. Also check your fishfinder's specs., which is likely to have an operating range of 11 to 15/17 volts.  If your fully charged battery reads 17 or below, you should be good to go.

 

As far as making the connection, send me a picture of the battery and I'll figure something out.  

 

If your 20V Dewalt is 18+ V, fall back and punt: get an AGM or LiOn motorcycle battery and a Pelican type case it'll fit in.  I'll help you along from there.

 

Good luck. I'll be thinking of you on Monday when I'm hunting SMB at the Quabbin.

[JG233]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I wish I had known to buy a 9 amp initially, but I guess it never hurts to have a backup.