creek yakker

tomh · #1 06-10-2007, 09:14 PM

Can anyone tell me approximately how long you can run a small fish finder, (eagle cuda 168) on eight AA batteries. I am in the process of installing one on my kayak and I'm curious. Thanks!!!!

Black Jack · #2 06-11-2007, 12:35 PM

I would say 10-15 hrs, but thats just a guess. You should call the manufacturer and ask them, they should know.

#3 06-11-2007, 12:59 PM

Omited by WR

PerryC · #4 06-11-2007, 05:36 PM

Most fish finders consume 100-125ma when running, and about twice that when their lights are on. If you use econo brand zinc batteries which are good for about 400mAh+ of current, about 4-6 hours. If you use top quality Alkaline batteries which go from about 1500mAh to about 3000mAh, somewhere in about 10-20hr range depending on how much you use the backlight on the ff.

Seaslug, does this sound about right to you??

Perry

Incredible · #5 06-11-2007, 10:47 PM

I use a 12 volt 8 amp hour battery to power up my Eagle Fish Easy. This battery will last as long as I need it. I ran it for a couple trips without recharge and I never lost power. I got this and the charger at Fries. I use two pin trailer plugs two hook everything up. This one is on the charger. I use the same set up on my bait tank. This is easy to rig with some basic soldering skills and a good marine grad silicone. Use the silicone to seal all your connections so they won’t corrode in the salt environment. I use some industrial Velcro to hold it in place inside the kayak hull when on the water. I have had this for a couple years now with no problems. You can get these sealed batteries in smaller sizes too. This may be another option that is cost effective. I have some photos of the fish finder in the rigging section of this board that shows the mounting.

#6 06-12-2007, 06:25 AM

Omited by WR

seaslug · #7 06-12-2007, 07:47 AM

jonee523 was using a 12v drill battery which looked good for a kayak being compact. I think Perry is accurate in his time estimates on the AA batteries.

I just followed Piranah's suggestion and bought a 6V battery for my bait tank (cuts water pressure on fish about in half for better bait life). I will use my 7Ah 12V battery for my fish finder alone.

As your battery discharges, the voltage drops and depending on your FF, low voltage causes display problems. This starts well before it actually quits working - especially on the color units.

Piranha · #8 06-12-2007, 11:06 PM

? for Incredible,
I really like the trailer hitch connector. I presume the outer part runs directly to your ff. Would work for bait tank also! I've had my battery clips unconnect in my seast back pocket, and kill my bait. One question, how do you connect the charger to recharge? Another trailer clip half? Thanks, Piranha

tomh · #9 06-13-2007, 06:34 AM

Thanks for all of the information. I have been thinking about the 12 volt rechargeable drill batteries. May go that route.

Incredible · #10 06-13-2007, 07:17 AM

Piranha, I use another plug half on my charger. The battery shown on that particular photo is on the charger. The connector for the fish finder is inside the hull of my kayak. I have three of these batteries set up this way. You just need to make sure that the pins and sockets are aligned the same as far as the pin or socket side of the plug being on the positive or negative side of the circuit. That way they all mach up to the fish finder, bait tank or charger. I ended up re soldering a few connections for not paying attention to that small detail. You can convert any 12 volt charger to charge these batteries and you can dunk this set up without any problems. Here are a couple pix of the way the fish finder is mounted on my kayak with the wires running through the footwell bulkhead.