Wrapping up the Kayak Project... Fish finder wiring Question

[tacmik]

Originally Posted by chris138

just put the battery in a drybag, toss it in the hull and you are good to go!

That is what I do. If larger surf, I will clip it to the scupper.

[Lipripper92592]

I mounted the battery in a starboard locking box in a Trident 15.
What kind of yak are you mounting it in?
Go the separate battery route. Look at the specifications on watt/amp hour draw for you FF unit, it's mostly likely around .5amps per hour.
You never want to draw a lead acid battery past down past 60% full charge. Meaning you will only get around 6 effect amp hours out of a 10 amp hour battery before you start to cause damage, ( sulfation, degradation of the plates, etc)
Run at least a ten amp hour for just the FF, unless you want to have your FF shut down in the afternoon if you start early.

[Subarualmen]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Looks the FF pulls 1.1 Amps MAX. Not sure what it averages.. Seems pretty high. I agree the 7 AMP battery does seem a little low for this in conjunction with the Livewell Pump... I purchased all the electrical components i needed to install everything. The FF is all set up in the kayak, just the power wiring needs to be done.

Originally Posted by Lipripper92592

You never want to draw a lead acid battery past down past 60% full charge. Meaning you will only get around 6 effect amp hours out of a 10 amp hour battery before you start to cause damage, ( sulfation, degradation of the plates, etc).

Hmm i didn't know that..


That would mean i'd get 4 Amp Hours out of a charge

I'll have to check and see if they have a batter this size with a higher amperage

[Lipripper92592]

Where did you find the amp draw? The lowrance spec sheet for the Elit 5 and the mark 5 units is 0.25amps>
http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowranc...0157-001_w.pdf

Everything get complicated with research. People will run there 12volt battery down to 11 volts, charge it up and run it the next day. Will it work....yes...will it degrade you battery and shorten the lifespan considerably....yes.
I just come from the camp..."if you are going to do something...do it right" the first time, (if you can).
Your bait tank pump should have the amp hour draw as well written on it. Do the math, stick around 60% draw and you will be fine for years to come.