Cheap replacement battery for Hobie Livewell

Got a set of two 6V 6ah Lithium battery packs for $35 from Amazon and crimped disconnects onto the plug and wires off the old Hobie SLA.

Originally planned to run the two battery packs in parallel but did a test run with a single battery checking on the livewell every 15 mins. Single battery lasted between 5 1/4 to 5 1/2 hours.

I only expected a single battery pack to last 3 hours since the pump is 12v 1.8amps. I’m guessing since it’s a 6V battery the pump is only drawing 0.9amps, or possibly the batteries only have a 1amp output. I don’t have a multimeter or I’d just check the amp draw while the pump is running.

Eventually I’d like to use a 12V 7ah Lithium battery with a 12v to 9v 2amp step down to increase the pumps flow rate while conserving power.

Just wondering if anyone has done something similar and their results?

I have done exactly that. I got rid of the 6v Hobie battery and am using a 12v 10ah battery from nocqua. It is stepped down to 9v. I used to only get about 1/2 day of fishing until the battery died. Since switching I haven’t run out of battery.

You can also wire in a livewell timer in which will further extend your battery life.

I used a 12v to 6v converter and soldered it into my bait aerator pump, worked like a charm and no more buying D batteries.

I have done exactly that. I got rid of the 6v Hobie battery and am using a 12v 10ah battery from nocqua. It is stepped down to 9v. I used to only get about 1/2 day of fishing until the battery died. Since switching I haven’t run out of battery.

You can also wire in a livewell timer in which will further extend your battery life.

Thank you. Someone showed me this battery years ago and I could not freaking remember the company’s name and eventually just forgot about it.

 

I used a 12v to 6v converter and soldered it into my bait aerator pump, worked like a charm and no more buying D batteries.

That is a solid idea. I found 2 Marine Metal Bubblers in a clearance bin for pennies and have been using that as an aerator and yes the D batteries are a pain. I have to spray them with battery terminal protector to keep them from corroding.

I dug some fishing gear out of the garage this morning to take a picture of what I use.

CORRECTION: I have 12v stepped down to 6v. For some reason I thought it was 9v, but I think that was on an old livewell.

So I have the 12v-6v converter and a fuse wired into a waterproof box. The battery and everything fits and it goes in the stock Hobie livewell battery spot.