Battery Options (RC?)

I'm still leaning to the water bottle pack.  Having a bike water bottle rack installed under the main bulkhead sounds real convenient for sliding the battery pack in and out.  I've also been meaning to beef up my mountain bike lighting as well, as I just use a cat-eye light right now.  This will hit both objectives.  Sounds like I could go on 3-4 fishing sessions per charge. 

Thanks Mark, now can you give me advice on managing WAF after buying more toys?    I also want to get a 8 - 9' casting rod.

Most of the "real" bike light set-ups now are 6V or 7.2V - at least my Nightriders and LiM are. Bike light batteries are a zillion dollars to replace from the manufacturer--BUT Batteries Plus will build you up identical ones for far far less...
If you are already planning on buying a Mtb light-- go to Lights in Motion lights (http://www.bikelights.com/Products/Products.htm) they've got GREAT lights, and i think that some are 11.1 Volts- which is enough to run a FF.

Remember-- water bottles are for water - so put your battery someplace else on your bike

My totally opinionated two cents  LOL

Remember-- water bottles are for water - so put your battery someplace else on your bike

I have gone Camelbak and can't even remember liking a water bottle...still old school steve?   

LOL- call me a retro grouch!  hardtail and v-brakes too!

No, seriously i use a CamelBak - have for years - but only on the mtb bikes.  Normally my mtb bikes don't even have bottle cages, unless its hot then i throw one on and use it to douse my head.  My road bike is always bottles....and i don't ride a steel hardtail anymore

Modified 7/30
Decided to modify this as i realized on my ride this AM, that its not that i don't like water bottle batteries. Its that i don't like handlebar mounted lights and the bulkiness of water bottle batteries.  Here's why: probably 90% of my night riding has been offroad, half of that (a few hundred hours) in race situations. You're tired and trying to go fast, and a handlebar mounted light only illuminates where the handlebars are currently pointing, not where you will be in a second - try it on a switchback.  This means that i always want a light on my helmet.  Add the "cold factor" where batteries lose their charge capacity in cold conditions (lots numerous 20 degree night laps in moab, and the 4.5aH battery went dead in 30 min), and i want a battery that i can stick in my jersey pocket or camelbak - try sticking a full water bottle into your jersey pocket its a PITA.

Now- if you just want a light for commuting around here- then you're fine with a handlebar mounted light.

i live in vallejo and am having a hard time finding local stores where i can buy the parts and supplies to build a power supply for my FF.  i have tons of rechargeable AA batteries so need to get an AA battery holder.  what kind of fuse should i get?  where can i get it from?  any info is greatly appreciated.

radio shack should have it all...

i live in vallejo and am having a hard time finding local stores where i can buy the parts and supplies to build a power supply for my FF.  i have tons of rechargeable AA batteries so need to get an AA battery holder.  what kind of fuse should i get?  where can i get it from?  any info is greatly appreciated.

Ebay and http://www.thomas-distributing.com  has the holders, chargers, and batteries.  My FF came with the fuse, but I haven't installed it cause I wanted a better inline fuse thats less hassle.  Lock-N-Lock containers are cheap and waterproof, get them at target.

Remember to use all the same type of batteries, do not mix them!

i live in vallejo and am having a hard time finding local stores where i can buy the parts and supplies to build a power supply for my FF.  i have tons of rechargeable AA batteries so need to get an AA battery holder.  what kind of fuse should i get?  where can i get it from?  any info is greatly appreciated.

I have an extra 10 AA holder that I have left over from my power supply build that I had done recently. It is yours if you want it. As far as the fuse goes, get an inline type of fuse rated at 3amps. That should do the trick.

Ebay and http://www.thomas-distributing.com  has the holders, chargers, and batteries.  My FF came with the fuse, but I haven't installed it cause I wanted a better inline fuse thats less hassle.  Lock-N-Lock containers are cheap and waterproof, get them at target.

Remember to use all the same type of batteries, do not mix them!

AlsHobieOutback,
thank you for the info.  i will definitely stop by Target for the container.  And i will make sure not to mix batteries!!!

I have an extra 10 AA holder that I have left over from my power supply build that I had done recently. It is yours if you want it. As far as the fuse goes, get an inline type of fuse rated at 3amps. That should do the trick.

wow. that's great.   thank you!!! 
i have been to berkeley, richmond, pinole, vallejo, concord, etc, looking for that damn battery holder, and no one has it. you are a lifesaver.  thankyouthankyouthankyou.....  where did you get yours anyway???
i think i can get the inline fuse holder from radioshack for $3.

A blade type fuse and holder and is available at most auto parts stores or wally world. They have a rubber cap to keep out moisture,etc.

I posted some pics of my battery set up a while back, but I believe I have one of the easiest cleanest setups I've seen. First off I bought a rechargeble 12 volt battery and charger from Cabelas. It lasts for a whole weekend of running my sounder all day both days. I also saw these batteries at an electronics store in Rohnert Park. For the case I used the usual tupperware box, but for the connections, I used two stainless steel bolts with wingnuts on them. Drill a hole for the bolt, attach a wire to the inside with a clip on it to attach to the battery terminal. goop it up to seal, then on the outside put on a nut and tighten it. Then add a wingnut ontop of that. Then all you do is loosen the wingnut put you power cord on and tighten. The beauty is it doesnt corrode and it's water tight and simple. I also put a piece of velcro on the bottom to keep it from sliding around in the kayak. 

Update:

I made my own battery packs using 10 recharchable 2000ma AA's from Fry's, ($19 for ten).  After some trial and error, and on the water testing Sat I think I've got something that is an improvement over rechargeing individual AA's, is still lightweight, and best of all- cheap.

Pics to follow.

Eric, do you have any pics yet?  Did the plastidip you used make it totally waterproof without having to put in a container?

I have pics, but I need to get my internet connection back up at home... sorry.

I did not end up using plastic dip...  I just keep the battery packs in the Lock n Lock container like Sean used. 

I think it would be pretty easy to make a waterproof pack, though...