Humminbird Helix 7 too big for a kayak?

[I/MBasser]

I've never used a fish finder on a kayak and plan on getting one for this Spring.  BPS has a black friday sale on the 7" G2 for $399 (down from 699).  That makes it less expensive than the Helix 5.  Seems like a no brainer but not sure if I'll run into issues once installed.  For context, I plan on installing it in the front panel between my feet on a Tarpon 100.  Any thoughts/advice is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[Jig Man]

The bigger the screen the easier to see stuff.  Go for it.  I have 2 10s and a 12.  I wish they were all 12s.

[J Francho]

I have a 5 and a 7.  I don't think the 7 is too big, but I generally take the 5 out, since it's plenty for what I need.  If you do anything that is more than two screens, like SI/GPS or DI/SI, at once, you'll want the 7.  Mine is installed to the side on my Hobie Compass.

[I/MBasser]

Thx gents.  Appreciate it.  @J Francho do you have your 7 connected to a 12v?  If so, any specific way to hook it up?   Just read something about connecting a fuse?   What do you recommend?   Thx again.  

[Tracker22]

I run a 7” after an upgrade from a 5”. It’s perfect. I would have gone bigger but the amp draw is considerably more on anything bigger.

[MickD]

Helix 7 is 12 volts, I'm sure.  Don't go any higher without reading the owner's manual.  Follow those instructions.

[Jig Man]

You should always have an inline fuse on any sonar unit.  Your power cord will be marked for positive and negative.

[I/MBasser]

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

You should always have an inline fuse on any sonar unit.  Your power cord will be marked for positive and negative.

Ok.  So explain to me like I'm a two year old as I have no understanding of this.  

Do I have to connect the Helix power cord to a fuse (any rating on the fuse) and then connect the fuse directly to battery?  Or do I need to cut the power cord and connect the fuse in between each half?  Thank you!!!!

[Jig Man]

It should come with a fuse in the power cord line.  It is a low amp fuse generally no bigger than a 3.  All you should have to do is hook it up to your battery.

[I/MBasser]

Any recommendations on a 12v battery to run it? 

[Jig Man]

Decide how long you will be on the water, find out the amp draw of the unit, look at batteries with the reserve capacity to handle the time and draw and still have lots of reserve left so you won't over draw and ruin it.  It's possible that a motorcycle or lawn mower battery might suffice.

[J Francho]

On 11/22/2019 at 7:05 PM, I/MBasser said:

Thx gents.  Appreciate it.  @J Francho do you have your 7 connected to a 12v?  If so, any specific way to hook it up?   Just read something about connecting a fuse?   What do you recommend?   Thx again.  

12v 7ah sealed battery from Radio Shack.  I use a Schumacher smart charger.

[CountryboyinDC]

9 hours ago, J Francho said:

12v 7ah sealed battery from Radio Shack.

I had no idea Radio Shack still existed.  I see they still have a few stores (within stores mostly), but they still have reasonably priced components online.  

OP, I run a Lowerance HDS Carbon 7 with a Totalscan transducer on a 10 AH battery for more than 8 hours.  I have no idea how much juice is left at the end, but I've never run out of battery on the water.

[Alex from GA]

Security systems batteries are 7 or 8ah batteries and they're the same size.  As others have said hook the + to the fuse and fuse to + side of the battery.  Amazon has universal 8 ah batteries for less than $20 as does Walmart.

[I/MBasser]

So after watching a bunch of YouTube videos I think I'm pretty set on setting this up.  But I do have one question left.  Is a 2 pole flat the best/ideal connection between the power cord and battery?

 

Thanks for all the input guys.  You've been great and I greatly appreciate it. 

[Alex from GA]

Use the plug on the back of the unit if you need to remove it.