Scotty…I need…More…Power!

[Koz]

Well, not really more power but more connections. I currently have a 100Ah battery in the main AP120 battery box for the trolling motor.

 

Then I have another 100Ah battery in a battery box in the tank well. That connects to a Yak Power 5 circuit hub.

 

That hub connects to bow lights, deck lights, my livescope black box, my UHD 93 head unit, and my navigation sensor.

 

Then I have an 18Ah battery that connects to my Helix 7 that I use strictly for mapping.

 

But now I find myself needing ports for cameras and my phone. I have a Yak Power battery box that has two USB ports that I can use for the Helix and cameras, but I am running short on usable space when I load my Blackpack and cooler.

 

So now I’m thinking of changing out my Yak Power 5 circuit to an 8 circuit, but with taxes and shipping that’s another $200. Hopefully I can find a place to put the smaller Yak Power box. I don’t have much room in the rear hatch with the black box and the Yak Power circuit. It’s too big to fit in the front hatch.

 

Regardless, one thing I am going to this week is pull all the wiring and run it again making it a bit neater. That includes using PET sleeves. I’m also going to finally solder my wire connections.

 

When I got started with kayak fishing I never realized how far down the rabbit hole I would go with electrical components.

 

 

[Glenn]

Something worth a look: https://connect-ease.com/collections/kayak-ice-fishing

 

[Bankc]

I have a bit of an electronics background, so I've done quite a bit of soldering and building my own stuff.  So I would probably just add the extra USB ports myself and hook up a 12v to 5v buck converter to feed them.  My preferred method for connections on a kayak is to solder everything then coat the connection in liquid electrical tape.  If you've got some basic soldering skills, it's a pretty cheap and easy way to do all of this.  Just make sure everything is on a fuse. 

 

Or you could install some 12v cigarette lighter sockets and buy some USB adapters for that.  That would bypass the need for the buck converters and make installation a bit easier.  But you'd probably have to cut a hole in your kayak to mount it/them. 

[Koz]

33 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Something worth a look: https://connect-ease.com/collections/kayak-ice-fishing

 

I considered the Connect Ease stuff including the system they previewed at iCast. It looks great, but it’s really expensive. I’m saving my money for a few big additions in 2025.

19 minutes ago, Bankc said:

I have a bit of an electronics background, so I've done quite a bit of soldering and building my own stuff.  So I would probably just add the extra USB ports myself and hook up a 12v to 5v buck converter to feed them.  My preferred method for connections on a kayak is to solder everything then coat the connection in liquid electrical tape.  If you've got some basic soldering skills, it's a pretty cheap and easy way to do all of this.  Just make sure everything is on a fuse. 

 

Or you could install some 12v cigarette lighter sockets and buy some USB adapters for that.  That would bypass the need for the buck converters and make installation a bit easier.  But you'd probably have to cut a hole in your kayak to mount it/them. 

I have some converters already ordered and due in today. I also have some liquid electrical tape on hand. That stuff is great. All my runs already have fuses, so it’s just a matter of cleaning things up.

 

I initially set everything up as temporary because I was moving things around for a while. Now it’s time for a permanent solution.

[Susky River Rat]

Sounds like you need a bigger boat! Kidding. 

[TnRiver46]

Just put a diesel caterpillar generator on there 

[Susky River Rat]

@TnRiver46 power his kayak and a building. 

[casts_by_fly]

swap your heading sensor onto your main battery.  It doesn't need constant power.  Just add two crimp on ring connectors and put them over the main batter terminal.  Then add a multi USB plug onto the 5-circut box.  You should be able to get a 4-way USB plug for it which should be plenty for phones and cameras.

[Koz]

52 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

swap your heading sensor onto your main battery.  It doesn't need constant power.  Just add two crimp on ring connectors and put them over the main batter terminal.  Then add a multi USB plug onto the 5-circut box.  You should be able to get a 4-way USB plug for it which should be plenty for phones and cameras.

That’s a good idea. I’ll look into that. Thanks.

[Bazoo]

I cannot do it captain... I'm givin' her all she's got!

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Bazoo said:

I cannot do it captain... I'm givin' her all she's got!