Any harm to FF if I just run it in my garage all night to test battery life?

[Darth-Baiter]

chirp will scroll by, but down-scan will be a black screen I imagine. Think I’ll burn an image on the screen?

 

I feel my Nocqua battery is running down faster than the math indicates. But I didn’t do well in me EE class.

[Jig Man]

I have talked to service techs at both Lowrance and Humminbird about this same topic.  Some of them say it will ruin the transducer and some say it is ok.

[BigAngus752]

2 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I have talked to service techs at both Lowrance and Humminbird about this same topic.  Some of them say it will ruin the transducer and some say it is ok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GaryH]

It's not recommended to run them out of water but it's also believed that a standard 500w or less transducer should be ok. Higher power transducers 1K or larger may be harmed because they need the water to keep them cool.

I would set it on a screen that keeps scanning.

[Michigander]

Could you drop the transducer into a tub of water?

[GaryH]

3 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Could you drop the transducer into a tub of water?

Heat problem solved. Good one M

[Bankc]

Does it have a demo mode?  I'd be more inclined to use that, as that way you won't have to worry about screen burn in or overheating the transducer.  It might use less current in demo, but with a DMM you can measure the current it does pull and use that to calculate the battery's capacity.  

[Dens228]

26 minutes ago, Bankc said:

Does it have a demo mode?  I'd be more inclined to use that, as that way you won't have to worry about screen burn in or overheating the transducer.  It might use less current in demo, but with a DMM you can measure the current it does pull and use that to calculate the battery's capacity.  

Exactly, the demos at BP or Cabela's are running.  

[Darth-Baiter]

I thought about the transducer.  I know guys that run FF with the transducer sitting a a wad of silicon glued inside their hulls.  It never sees water. Dunno - just Food for thought. I thought about an ice chest full of cold water, but I already wired it into my kayak. Which involve crazy yoga moves. Removing it is difficult to stomach.   What about the guys that mount them (transducers) to the trolling motor?  They shut down between spots?    Argh- this is too much. Haha. 
 

maybe a 10 hour fishing day is in order.  I’ll pack a huge lunch. Hehe. 
 

Thank you everyone.   Great forum. 

[Michigander]

2 hours ago, They call me “Gaiter Salad” said:

I thought about the transducer.  I know guys that run FF with the transducer sitting a a wad of silicon glued inside their hulls.  It never sees water. Dunno - just Food for thought. I thought about an ice chest full of cold water, but I already wired it into my kayak. Which involve crazy yoga moves. Removing it is difficult to stomach.   What about the guys that mount them (transducers) to the trolling motor?  They shut down between spots?    Argh- this is too much. Haha. 
 

maybe a 10 hour fishing day is in order.  I’ll pack a huge lunch. Hehe. 
 

Thank you everyone.   Great forum. 

I mean, clearly, if you can accomplish this while fishing then there is no better solution available.

[DogBone_384]

4 hours ago, Bankc said:

demo mode

 

This.  I know my Lowrances have demo modes.

[WRB]

Just buy a battery Chicago load tester from Harbor Freight.

Tom

 

[K1500]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

Just buy a battery Chicago load tester from Harbor Freight.

Tom

 

This. Over your battery owning life it will pay off many times. Get a carbon pile tester and you will have a better tester than most parts stores use. I have over 10 batteries in service, so I wind up doing battery work pretty often. Your needs may be more modest. You could also take it to an auto parts store for a free battery test. 

[Shimano_1]

I was about to suggest a bucket of water but someone beat me to it. I wouldn't see it hurting anything in water

[schplurg]

I like Tom's idea.

 

Also, Demo Mode, since it does not use the transducer, will not use as much battery as normal mode.

 

Also the poster above who said that lower watt units can be run out of the water is correct, but definitely do your research first.

 

No you won't get image burn on your screen.