Kayak Fishfinder Batteries and Chargers

[Choporoz]

What batteries and charger(s) are you using?

Good?  Bad?  Lessons learned?

 

I've had some challenges with my batteries and charger(s.)  I originally bought two SLA's from Cabelas (8ha, maybe?)  They came with a simple charger - a plug in with two alligator clips - no lights, indicators....etc.  Instructions were to plug in for 24 hours each charge -- longer being bad.  They lasted maybe 18 months or so before starting to decline --- I then got a couple from Amazon (ExpertPower 9AH) which are showing signs of decline after just a year; using same Cabelas charger.  I am sure my charger isn't best for these batteries, but I tried my Noco Genius smart charger that I use for my full size batteries, but it didn't seem to charge them much at all before showing 'green'.    Just wondering what others' experience has been with types of batteries, charger and battery life.

 

Oh..and if you have suggestions about how connectors, I'm all ears...my success with crimping female connectors on to FF leads has been poor.

[J Francho]

No problems with my 7ah sealed battery and Shumacher charger.  It's gotta be five years old.  Not sure the brand battery, but I got it from Radio Shack.

[Scott F]

Have you tried a Batteries Plus store? They have a lot of rechargeable batteries of different sizes. I think there is a location in your town. If you charged your previous battery 24 hours every time you used it, you may have been over charging it which is why it didn't last as long as it should. Get yourself a small volt meter so you can see what the battery's voltage is before you charge it. 12.7 volts is usually fully charged, 11.7 is usually fully discharged and time to recharge. Most modern depthfinders will show your batteries voltage. Adjust the amount of time you recharge or use a smart charger that shuts down automatically. If your Noco went green pretty quickly, it might have meant your battery still had a lot of juice. It also probably charges much faster than the Cabela's charger did.

If the depthfinder has a big screen, color, and mapping, it uses a lot more power than a small screen, B/W unit. You might consider that when buying a new battery. I'd get the biggest SLA that will fit in the amount of space you have. Seeing the variety that Batteries Plus caries in person will help you a lot.

To make your connections, solder if you can but if you don't have a soldering iron, I'd strip back a little extra wire and fold the wire over, doubling it, before you put it in the connector to crimp. 

[Choporoz]

Thanks, @Scott F.  Been a few years since I have been in local Batteries Plus.  Customer experience was terrible and I never went back.  May give them another chance.  Also appreciate the volt meter suggestion.  Never thought to check because I didn't know what I was looking for.

[haggard]

For my Hook 4 finder on the yak I use a 9Ah AGM sealed, model DURA12-9F2. Measures 6 x 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Charger is a wall wart style with built-in somethingorother that doesn't overcharge it - it's a Werker WK12V500.

 

No complaints at all about this setup, been using it since May. I've never run out of juice even when on the yak for 8 hours.

 

 

[DogBone_384]

I use Lowrance Hook 5’s on my kayaks and power them two Milwaukee M12 extended batteries in a Pelican box.  I get 4-5 hours out of each battery. 

 

If you use a dedicated battery I’d suggest an automatic charger like Battery Tender.  I use one each on my motorcycle and trolling motor battery with excellent performance.

[haggard]

Tender vs charger - I figured a small motorcycle "battery tender" would be a good way to keep a battery charged and topped off, and on a previous RV/marine battery I used that tiny tender to charge over the off-season. Ended up replacing that battery. My local shop told me there's a difference: Charger is for charging, and tender is for maintaining a small "float" charge after the battery is charged (such as leaving it connected to tender while storing it on the off season). Woman who runs the shop seems to know her stuff, as comfortable with sales and advice as she is jumping to the work bench with the soldering iron.

 

I'm still not sure what's right, but this season I switched to charging with dedicated ("smart") charger immediately after an outing, and plan to use the tender after a full charge when the battery is stored for the off season. From what I understand, the so called "battery tender" is not intended to be a charger; it's for maintaining a charge, not for actual charging.

 

There may also be some confusion between a brand name ("Battery Tender") vs. function ("a battery tender"). 

 

I keep hearing batteries don't like to sit discharged, as they accumulate sulfate somethingorothers, so despite your being worn out after a day on the boat, at least try to throw them on the smart charger as soon as you can. For not-maintenance-free batteries, pop the caps off and check the water level, and add distilled water as needed - over-charging can cook off the water if your charger isn't "smart". Use caution as the stuff is corrosive and explosive.

 

 

[Angry John]

Chargers are very different depending on battery type.  How an agm battery charges compared  to led acid is totally different.  Be very specific with your question and provide as much detail as possible.  For your current use a lot of stores now sell a 10ah lioh battery with charger for a hundred bucks.  Migh be a good deal to start over and get a matched charger and battery taking out the guess work or required research.  I am getting a u1 deep cycle for my helix 7 and a 5ah smart charger.  That may be a good area for you if your running lights a cell charger and cameras.  

[J Francho]

Wally world has both the batteries and chargers.  The Shumachers are smart chargers, and run around $25.  Batteries are about the same.  So others know what we're talking about, these are usually SEALED lead acid batteries.  There's zero maintenance, other than charging and conditioning.  I've been running this setup since 2004, and have purchased two batteries in that time.  I had to buy a second because I sold the first with the kayak.

 

It's really not that complicated.

[Choporoz]

I agree that it shouldn't be.  But I went from 15+ hours per charge down to 4-5 hours.   Don't know yet if it's my batteries, my chargers or my process, but I want to get back to at least 8 hours, if possible.

Running just a Lowrance Hook4X.  Losing sonar before the end of an outing is maddening....but at least it affords me another excuse

[J Francho]

48 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Losing sonar before the end of an outing is maddening

So is forgetting your battery! 

 

Side note.  A lithium setup for $100 has me intrigued.  Thinking about weight savings.

[PAbasser927]

I built a battery box after coming across a thread on here.  Since the box would take up the same amount of space regardless of the battery size I put in it, I went with the biggest that would fit.  A 15AH sealed lead acid.  I run a Lowrance HDS7 with side imaging, so the larger battery gives me peace of mind that it will last the day (which it always does easily).  I have a plug for my smart charger wired in, so it stays plugged in whenever it is not in use.  It was pretty fun to build and I can also use it when camping with the wife, powering speakers, lights, etc.  Beware if you build one though, your friends and family WILL insist on playing with it LOL