7 amp battery question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jruiz · 04-03-2017, 09:36 AM

More important than the model of FF is the screen size for judging how long it should last on a 7Ah battery. For a 4" it should be fine. For >5" you might be pushing it.

That reading on your multimeter could mean alot of things.

Hunters Pa · 04-03-2017, 10:17 AM

On the FF, also matters if you have the backlight on

Ojos_raros · 04-03-2017, 10:26 AM

maybe thats it! backlight seemed very very bright all morning

chris138 · 04-03-2017, 11:43 AM

SLA Batteries are really prone to dying. If your Lowrance doesn't have GPS... it should last much longer than 7 hours. With GPS its might be pulling more than an amp/hr. Combine that with a dying SLA and there you go...

I replace SLA every year. I have heard of them even showing up bad out of the box.

rossman · 04-03-2017, 01:59 PM

Shortened duty cycle on an SLA is pretty typical of it going bad. I have a pretty good understanding of the physics of SLA technology but cannot for the life of me see how a 12 v battery can put out 17 volts. 13.5 to 13.8 right after taking it off the charger is possible but not 17. Break out the wallet. I think you have a failing battery and multimeter.

04-03-2017, 10:26 AM	#3
Ojos_raros Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 124	maybe thats it! backlight seemed very very bright all morning __________________ Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment -Buddha

04-03-2017, 01:59 PM	#5
rossman Marginally Irrelevant Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bahia Asuncion Posts: 936	Shortened duty cycle on an SLA is pretty typical of it going bad. I have a pretty good understanding of the physics of SLA technology but cannot for the life of me see how a 12 v battery can put out 17 volts. 13.5 to 13.8 right after taking it off the charger is possible but not 17. Break out the wallet. I think you have a failing battery and multimeter. __________________ "When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean’s skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang. " — Herman Melville Y'all come see me now, hear!

04-03-2017, 09:36 AM	#1
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,011	More important than the model of FF is the screen size for judging how long it should last on a 7Ah battery. For a 4" it should be fine. For >5" you might be pushing it. That reading on your multimeter could mean alot of things.

04-03-2017, 10:17 AM	#2
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	On the FF, also matters if you have the backlight on

04-03-2017, 11:43 AM	#4
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	SLA Batteries are really prone to dying. If your Lowrance doesn't have GPS... it should last much longer than 7 hours. With GPS its might be pulling more than an amp/hr. Combine that with a dying SLA and there you go... I replace SLA every year. I have heard of them even showing up bad out of the box.