LiPo for Fish Finder?

[CKallday71]

Just curious if anyone has ever considered using a 12V Lipo for their fish finder. They'd likely be considerably lighter than the 12V Lead Acid. I've found some 12V LiPos online for reasonable prices and I know that charging them can be a little more complicated but the weight savings think that it would be something people might look into.

[William Novotny]

Are these the ones that could create a fire hazard when drained too low. If so, I would be scared having it on board.

[William Novotny]

Here is a wiki link to some hazards of lipo
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_polymer_battery

[William Novotny]

Says an explosion like fire cam occur in the event of a short circuit

[CKallday71]

Most of that info is probably mostly outdated. They've been using LiPo batteries in Radio Control electric flying as well as Offroad and onroad Racing for Years now and they are a lot more safe now than they ever have been.

[William Novotny]

Originally Posted by CKallday71

Most of that info is probably mostly outdated. They've been using LiPo batteries in Radio Control electric flying as well as Offroad and onroad Racing for Years now and they are a lot more safe now than they ever have been.

Yeah it mentions radio controlled fliers in the wiki and how carefully those guys are with their connections. Also showed an expanded iPhone battery. I'm not speaking on personal experience, just saying look closely into. Measure risk vs. reward. Are the lead acid batteries really that heavy? I would stick with them just because they are maintenence free. Idk, I just feel I would always worry about it ifi had a lipo

[William Novotny]

I'm not trying to be argumentative or anything. I'm clueless. Just from what I've read, I'd look closely at the risk and decide if it's safe or not

[Silbaugh4liberty]

I wouldn't mess with anything other than lead acid. They have the safest most reliable track record of all the batteries. I hate when engineers spec nicad on the projects I bid ( I sell commercial generators). Nicad are ten times the price and crap out easily. Just my opinion.

[Raskal311]

Originally Posted by William Novotny

Are these the ones that could create a fire hazard when drained too low. If so, I would be scared having it on board.

I just picked up a 12v 20ah Lifepo4 from Bioenno came out to be just under $200 with a charger. The battery has a built in circuit that prevents it from draining too low or being over charged. I also have a 6v for my bait tank and its worked perfectly so far.

[ccacher1]

Originally Posted by Raskal311

I just picked up a 12v 20ah Lifepo4 from Bioenno came out to be just under $200 with a charger. The battery has a built in circuit that prevents it from draining too low or being over charged. I also have a 6v for my bait tank and its worked perfectly so far.

I have that exact same battery. Great battery and fits in a little pelican 1120 waterproof box. Also have the 6v lifpo for my bait tank. Havent had any issues with either battery so far. However, I might be hesitant to buy some random Lifepo4 battery off ebay but Bioenno seems to make quality stuff...at least I cant so otherwise yet.

[driftwood]

make sure you know how to build one of these lipo FF set ups. If your good with parallel wiring it should be easy.

Here is the charger....the part # for the batt monitor is Hking4s

	Item found in the following categories; > Chargers & Accessories > Battery Chargers
	RATED:
IMAX B6-AC Charger/Discharger 1-6 Cells (GENUINE)

Charge at home on 110/240v or in the field on 12v. The B6-AC handles both! The IMAX B6-AC is a rock solid charger thats able to charge, balance and discharge Lion, LiPo, LiFe (A123), NiCd and NiMH batteries. This is not a fake. It is a genuine IMAX B6. Our fault rate/returns on this charger are extremely low. Features; AC 100~240v or 12V DC input Microprocessor controlled Delta-peak sensitivity Individual cell balancing Li-ion, LiPo and LiFe capable Ni-Cd and NiMH capable Large range of charge currents Store function, allows safe storage current Time limit function Input voltage monitoring. (Protects car batteries at the field) Data storage (Store up to 5 packs in memory) Battery break in and cycling. Spec. Input Voltage: 11~18v Circuit power: Max Charge: 50W / Max Discharge: 5W Charge Current Range: .1~5.0A Discharge current range: .1~1.0A Ni-MH/NiCd cells: 1~15 Li-ion/Poly cells: 1~6 Pb battery voltage: 2~20v Weight: 580g Dimensions: 133x87x33mm This charger has a JST-XH charge plug, which makes it compatible with Zippy, HXT, TURNIGY and any pack with a JST adapter. This is a Genuine iMAX B6AC charger. If you want a cheaper price, purchase the FAKE iMax B6. (search on the left for FY-B6AC) PRODUCT ID: 9052000065-3 This product available from a warehouse near you!

[CKallday71]

This is why this is the best forum on the Internet. a HUGE variety of people with a HUGE depth of knowledge on various topics!

CKallDay

Originally Posted by driftwood

make sure you know how to build one of these lipo FF set ups. If your good with parallel wiring it should be easy.

Here is the charger....the part # for the batt monitor is Hking4s

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by William Novotny

Are these the ones that could create a fire hazard when drained too low. If so, I would be scared having it on board.

LiPo Batteries are becoming the go to type battery in the industry. Sure they may cost a little more initially, if cared for properly will last years longer than SLA batteries. We are using LiPo batteries here in the Hospitals with our powered patient carts and they batteries we use are warrantied for 5 years as apposed to 6 months like the SLA batteries carry. LiPo batteries can pop just like SLA batteries can. Also keep in mind to never store you batteries directly on concrete. If you have to place them on the ground, put some cardboard or something like that under them. If you place it directly on the ground it will drain you battery no matter what type you have.

[jruiz]

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

Also keep in mind to never store you batteries directly on concrete. If you have to place them on the ground, put some cardboard or something like that under them. If you place it directly on the ground it will drain you battery no matter what type you have.

This was true a long time ago with lead acid batteries housed in rubber. Not the case today.

[driftwood]

Ahh good question Ckallday. I have been using Lipo batterys for years. I use two 14.8v 5000mah lipo. Never had a problem. they're light and small and last me for about 3 days without recharching.

Its all water proof and its sits right under my seat.

Here is a pic of my set up.


IMG_20140522_134652.jpg

Just make sure you install a batt monitor.

Hobby King Battery Monitor 4S

[CKallday71]

That's great! I'm all about Lighter Weight, except for my fat arse. Can you give some part#s or model #s? What charger do you use for them?

Originally Posted by driftwood

Ahh good question Ckallday. I have been using Lipo batterys for years. I use two 14.8v 5000mah lipo. Never had a problem. they're light and small and last me for about 3 days with out recharching.

Its all water proof and its sits right under my seat.

Here is a pic of my set up.


Attachment 12480

Just make sure you install a batt monitor.

[jruiz]

Originally Posted by CKallday71

Just curious if anyone has ever considered using a 12V Lipo for their fish finder. They'd likely be considerably lighter than the 12V Lead Acid. I've found some 12V LiPos online for reasonable prices and I know that charging them can be a little more complicated but the weight savings think that it would be something people might look into.

Many kayak fisherman are using LiPos and LiFeO4 batteries for FF and bait tanks. I use a LiPo for my FF and had a LiFeO4 that Greg helped get a group buy on for my bait tank. Besides the weight and space savings you expect to get a flatter discharge(higher efficiency vs rated capacity) and more cycle life(2x-3x).

[William Novotny]

Originally Posted by jruiz

Many kayak fisherman are using LiPos and LiFeO4 batteries for FF and bait tanks. I use a LiPo for my FF and had a LiFeO4 that Greg helped get a group buy on for my bait tank. Besides the weight and space savings you expect to get a flatter discharge(higher efficiency vs rated capacity) and more cycle life(2x-3x).

Will there you have it.

[momo fish]

That's a big discount. From 190 down to 45!!

[kauaiboy04]

Originally Posted by momo fish

That's a big discount. From 190 down to 45!!

That price is always like that. Generic version of the other one in the post.