Battery Question

[1Flatfish]

I have a Humminbird 383c GPS/Sonar combo fishfinder. I power it with a UB1250 (12V 5Ah) lead -acid rechargeable battery. You know, the sort of square one. I was told that this battery, fully charged should power a fishfinder easily for 8 hours or more. But lately, the power has been running out at 4-5 hours. My question is why? Does using the GPS function along with the sonar at all times draw considerably more power than using sonar alone? Do loose terminal connections contribute to power drain? This battery is not old, maybe 5 months. Do batteries break down that fast? I wonder if anyone has some insight.

Wayne

[KennyHill]

a loose connection will deffinatly cause loss of power. you wana have a solid connection.

[mg2969]

Not an electrical expert
(failed Navy Nuclear B - double E - Basic electricity and electronics).
However.
Off the top a few distinct issues come to mind.
1. Battery amperage, for a standard 12V brick it seems kinda low
2. Color Screens use more juice
3. GPS can tend to use more juice
4. Combo units since they are processing 2 signals (sonar & GPS) use more juice
5. Max Peak power out is 2400 Watts unlike a cuda 245 which is only 1500W peak, I think that means you'll get a better picture sonar wise but like every thing else it will use more juice to get it

Quality batteries that are maintenance free types shouldn't go bad

There may be some issue with sulfurication due to constant deep discharge though. Basically the plates inside the battery develop a layer of sulfur and causes an inability to fully charge (?), not 100 % sure of the info though. Its also for more long term like 3-5 years rather then just 5 months.

Just my 2 cents and some random thoughts on the subject

[Billy V]

The fastest way to ruin a battery is to let it sit and do nothing.

If you let a lead acid battery sit for long without trickle charging, or charging, it can become sulfated between the plates which short circuits 1 or more cells.

So to answer your question:
Batteries can destroy themselves in short order if you do not trickle charge them occasionally.

BTW. You should be using a 12 Volt 7.5 Amp Battery at minimum.

Read this link and you will be an expert.
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html

[h2ofishfo]

i have the 787 ci hummingbird w/that same battery same problem 5 hrs is all i got out of it .looks like youll just need a bigger battery thats what i did never had a problem again

[Siebler]

Your Sonar is drawing more when you have color and GPS units. Also once the battery drops below 11.2 volts or so (on gray scale, color is probably higher) The unit will no longer turn on.