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jcanracer
Posts: 4,343 Moderator
Kayak Battery Recommendations?
jcanracer
Posts: 4,343 Moderator
I've had the same lead acid 12v 7amp battery in my kayaks for about 5 years now. I am convinced its no longer holding a decent charge because on my last trip [even though the battery was charged overnight] all I got from my fishfinder was 15 minute spurts of sufficient voltage and then the unit would blink out again. Also the charger cable for the battery did not indicate that the battery was charged (binary indicator: charging vs charged).
I think I would like to step it up to a 10 amp battery, but I don't want anything super heavy. All I plan to run from the battery is my Lowrance Hook-4 and a BerleyPro LED light. So lets hear some reviews and suggestions with prices folks!
I think I would like to step it up to a 10 amp battery, but I don't want anything super heavy. All I plan to run from the battery is my Lowrance Hook-4 and a BerleyPro LED light. So lets hear some reviews and suggestions with prices folks!
Hobie Kayak angler for life!
Replies
For short trips, that should work fine with your DF7, but for longer trips consider keeping the brightness low. For the DF7 fishfinder, I have been using a 26-35ah Deltran Battery Tender and on a long day if I keep the brilliance high, the battery will die offshore. With brilliance conservation, all day no problems.
If you are looking for a 10 ah battery the same size as the hobie live well battery, but 12V, I have a never used spare that I would be willing to let go of for cheap. It has the metal tab terminals that would require wiring, PM me if interested.
I was actually considering that one. It looks like a nice light package.
I think I definitely need to learn how to change the brightness setting to conserve battery when I get a new one. Good point.
Nothing wrong with looking at the options. I like the smaller, quicker charging batteries, but I agree that something of the same form factor would be a drop in replacement for me.
Just to clarify - I literally just received it in the mail - yesterday. My ProFisha weighs 50lbs, and space is a premium, so I went for size-weight. Jon brings up good point about settings vs. battery charge life.
This is a Li-ion battery right?
I am going to walmart today to get a cheap waterproof container to make a new battery box.
Your welcome Chris, I use a small ammo container sold at Harbor Freight and Tools. I think Walmart sells the same container.
It is a lithium battery of some sort.
I have personally had a lead acid battery turn into flaming mess on me before, it can happen with any type of 12V battery. Wire your stuff with an inline fuse and chances are it won't happen. There are extra precautions that need to be taken with a Li-ion battery to make it safe, such as using the charger designed for the battery and not overloading it.
Makes sense. I'm selling my kayak with the fishfinder and battery so I was thinking I'd find something lighter for my next one. Worth looking into for sure.
I have used alot of AGMs, they are a solid choice, but heavy weight. Lithium batteries are already in our phones, As Lithium technology, safety and manufacturing continues to improve, look fwd to the price drop so that these light weight alternatives can become the norm for our kayaks.