best battery for humminbird FF

 trying to figure out what is the best battery for humminbird on the prowler 13.
 What is the standard battery for the front pouch?
 Would a small 12 volt gel cell, rechargable be a better bet?
 I'm sure there are lots of options but what are people using?
 I have a small 10 pack of AA's now, but it looks expensive in the long run
 as opposed to a small rechargable 12 volt. Any ideas???

trying to figure out what is the best battery for humminbird on the prowler 13.
 What is the standard battery for the front pouch?
 Would a small 12 volt gel cell, rechargable be a better bet?
 I'm sure there are lots of options but what are people using?
 I have a small 10 pack of AA's now, but it looks expensive in the long run
 as opposed to a small rechargable 12 volt. Any ideas???

I use the rechargable AA batteries (10x) and it's very cost effective!

http://www.amazon.com/Power2000-2900mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries-Pack/dp/B000GBG9CG

there are several choices all good. I did the AA thing and got tired or recharging them every other trip. I would always seem to lose one of the AA's. I switched to a 12v brick. I only need to re charge it every 5-7 trips. (I don't have color or GPS FF). I also can use a small solar panel to top it off. Nice for camping trips. Cost is pretty much the same as AA's, case, and AA rechargers. The only down side is that it's a bit heavy. The less frequent recharging is a good trade off IMHO. I also may need the added capacity if/when I upgrade to a FF/GPS combo

So I am guessing it worked today? That's good to know.  I used rechargables in it, about 1.50 each.  Yes it can get annoying recharging them. In my hobie I use a 12v brick style which works fine but a bit heavy. Additionally if you want to spend the coin switch to a 12v nimh battery pack. They are expensive but lightweight and very powerful. Easy to charge too. That is what I am going to use for my new boat as I plan to eventually switch to a color ff when I can scratch up the coin.

The one warning on the brick style battery is that the contacts can get corroded easily if you do not find an adequate battery box. Enjoy my old baby and treat her well. She will catch you lots of big ones guaranteed. Give me a call if you have any qs that I can help you with.

I seem to only get one season out of my AA rechargeables. They start to get weaker each recharge. This has left me without power at critical times more than once. I think I'm going back to a big battery. I feel the weight is worth the tradeoff of reliable power.

We need a FF battery faq or sticky.  I'd write one, but I end up dragging my knuckles.

I have often wondered if it is possible to take some thing like a drill battery and modify it to use for a FF.  A few years ago Stryker came with a stretcher for EMS crews that had powered lift capabilities, the power source for this stretcher was DeWalt drill batteries, they went that because unlike a lot of expensive medical devices they wanted departments/crews to able to get replacements anywhere.  This has me often wondering if it would be possible to get say a 12 volt Drill at some place like Harbor Frieght or Autozone and use it (I am not going to rip apart a Mikita or a Dewalt for this project, but one of those cheapo 19.99 specials sure).

I have often wondered if it is possible to take some thing like a drill battery and modify it to use for a FF.  A few years ago Stryker came with a stretcher for EMS crews that had powered lift capabilities, the power source for this stretcher was DeWalt drill batteries, they went that because unlike a lot of expensive medical devices they wanted departments/crews to able to get replacements anywhere.  This has me often wondering if it would be possible to get say a 12 volt Drill at some place like Harbor Frieght or Autozone and use it (I am not going to rip apart a Mikita or a Dewalt for this project, but one of those cheapo 19.99 specials sure).

Why not build an ff adapter so the battery doesn't have to be modified? On long trips you can take more than one battery and the original charger would still work. When you're not fishing you can still use the battery at work...?
-Bryan

I have often wondered if it is possible to take some thing like a drill battery and modify it to use for a FF.  A few years ago Stryker came with a stretcher for EMS crews that had powered lift capabilities, the power source for this stretcher was DeWalt drill batteries, they went that because unlike a lot of expensive medical devices they wanted departments/crews to able to get replacements anywhere.  This has me often wondering if it would be possible to get say a 12 volt Drill at some place like Harbor Frieght or Autozone and use it (I am not going to rip apart a Mikita or a Dewalt for this project, but one of those cheapo 19.99 specials sure).

Why not build an ff adapter so the battery doesn't have to be modified? On long trips you can take more than one battery and the original charger would still work. When you're not fishing you can still use the battery at work...?
-Bryan

Great idea!  Go ahead and show us how it's done (take lots of pictures).

trying to figure out what is the best battery for humminbird on the prowler 13.
 What is the standard battery for the front pouch?
 Would a small 12 volt gel cell, rechargable be a better bet?
 I'm sure there are lots of options but what are people using?
 I have a small 10 pack of AA's now, but it looks expensive in the long run
 as opposed to a small rechargable 12 volt. Any ideas???

I use the rechargable AA batteries (10x) and it's very cost effective!

http://www.amazon.com/Power2000-2900mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries-Pack/dp/B000GBG9CG

Thats a fantastic price!!!  Have you tried them, or did you just find this deal?

trying to figure out what is the best battery for humminbird on the prowler 13.
 What is the standard battery for the front pouch?
 Would a small 12 volt gel cell, rechargable be a better bet?
 I'm sure there are lots of options but what are people using?
 I have a small 10 pack of AA's now, but it looks expensive in the long run
 as opposed to a small rechargable 12 volt. Any ideas???

I use the rechargable AA batteries (10x) and it's very cost effective!

http://www.amazon.com/Power2000-2900mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries-Pack/dp/B000GBG9CG

Thats a fantastic price!!!  Have you tried them, or did you just find this deal?

I paid close to $10 about a month ago!

I have used 6 volt lantern batteries, AA batteries (non rechargable), and gel cells.  I have a 12 Amp Hour and a 5 Amp hour gel cell.  My favorite is the 5 AH.  It can be charged from a cigarette lighter, standard car charger, or plug-in unit made for gel cells.  The 5 AH is light, and compact.  I have used it for three days and the voltage still a little over 12.  Afull charge is about 13.6.  The cost is about $20 and I have had it for two seasons.  There is no evidence of the battery getting weak.

Good luck

I have often wondered if it is possible to take some thing like a drill battery and modify it to use for a FF.  A few years ago Stryker came with a stretcher for EMS crews that had powered lift capabilities, the power source for this stretcher was DeWalt drill batteries, they went that because unlike a lot of expensive medical devices they wanted departments/crews to able to get replacements anywhere.  This has me often wondering if it would be possible to get say a 12 volt Drill at some place like Harbor Frieght or Autozone and use it (I am not going to rip apart a Mikita or a Dewalt for this project, but one of those cheapo 19.99 specials sure).

Yes you can Shady does it works great for him maybe next time i fish with him ill see how it wrks for a color ff.

I use the 12volt 7.2 amp hours sealed lead/ acid. Its a little haevy but its only 23 bucks at Napa auto parts, I keep die-electric grease on all terminals and have no corrosion what so ever. A small battery tender charges it easily too. It will run my humminbird 565 for 3 days at least as thats as long I have gone between charges. Good luck dude.

I think I'm going back to a big battery. I feel the weight is worth the tradeoff of reliable power.

That's what I did. It is heavy but not having to worry about charging is awesome.

Z