Kayak fish finder battery

[BoatSquirrel]

So today I burned through both my new, fully charged AA rechargeables and spare Duracells running a Helix5, in less than 3 hours on the water.  Whats the proper solution for a kayak fishfinder battery?  Thanks yall.

[MN Fisher]

I don't doubt it - looking at the manual, the Helix 5 pulls 650 ma - so to run it an hour takes 650MaH - or .65AH. Rechargeable batteries hold about 2000ma - so, 3 hours is about the limit for a charge.

 

Need to get a battery that holds more - a 12v 9AH battery ($20-$40 depending on brand) will run that Helix for about 13 hours.

[Harold Scoggins]

If you're fishing 1/2 to full day you need more amps than the AA are providing. I'd recommend a 12v 12 amp lithium battery. That will give you enough amps to run that fish finder, lights, camera, etc. I've got two agm 12 amp batteries wired in a box I made that gives me 24 amps and it has enough room to add a third battery for 36 amps. It runs my Helix, two GoPro cameras, spot light and my nav light.

[Dens228]

I just upgraded my battery to an Amped Outdoors Lithium, 18ah.   I was running a Nocqua 10ah but I also added a new depthfinder that has more to it so I wanted the added run time. 

[Hook2Jaw]

I like my Nocqua 12v 10ah pro power kit.  I'll probably end up adding a second one as a spare.

[CountryboyinDC]

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I like my Nocqua 12v 10ah pro power kit. 

X2

[flyfisher]

I have a first generation Helix 5 with side imaging and run a 12V 9ah and have never had it cut out on me on a full day of fishing.

[BoatSquirrel]

Done.  Thanks yall!

[GTN-NY]

31 minutes ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Done.  Thanks yall!

So what did you buy?

[DogBone_384]

I power my Lowrance Hook5 with a Duracell 9AH, AGM battery in a Pelican box like Harold Scoggins and typically get 2 1/2 full days out of a charge.

 

I use the same quick disconnect that Battery Tenders use and velcro it in my kayak's hatch.

[waymont]

On 2/23/2020 at 6:41 PM, flyfisher said:

Helix 5 with side imaging

What is your opinion on that unit?

[Paul Roberts]

On 2/23/2020 at 3:51 PM, Hook2Jaw said:

I like my Nocqua 12v 10ah pro power kit.  I'll probably end up adding a second one as a spare.

X3

 

I was lugging a lead acid battery around -a 5lb brick- for years. I'm only running a compact sonar unit so I'm using the Nocqua 4.4ah. It's tiny and runs my unit all day and then some. It's one of the best upgrades I've made to my float tube and kayak.

[flyfisher]

12 hours ago, waymont said:

What is your opinion on that unit?

love it.  When i decide to upgrade i will 99% stay with the Helix line unless something else really takes my breath away. I did upgrade to the HD transducer which made a big difference.  

[waymont]

3 hours ago, flyfisher said:

love it.  When i decide to upgrade i will 99% stay with the Helix line unless something else really takes my breath away. I did upgrade to the HD transducer which made a big difference.  

Thx. I'm new to sonar. Is the HD transducer made by Humminbird? What does the HD transducer do that is different than the regular one?

[flyfisher]

8 hours ago, waymont said:

Thx. I'm new to sonar. Is the HD transducer made by Humminbird? What does the HD transducer do that is different than the regular one?

yes, is is an upgrade transducer that makes for clearer images.  My unit is pretty old so i am not even sure if they still have a different transducer or not.  I know when i made the switch, it mad a big difference in clarity and detail on images.

 

[detroit1]

Nice! Harold.