Hummingbird Paranna max 160

I just got one for my fathersday present early.  What kind of power source do you use and how long does it last before it needs to be replaced or recharged?

Any other tips would also be appreciated

Thanks
Myrel

I just set up mine (piranhamax 170) using 8 AA Rechargeables (Charger w/wall and car lighter adapter + 8 batteries $29.99 at Fry's) using a 8 AA holder (Fry's @ $1) stuck them in a plastic peanut butter jar and ran the wires through the plastic screw top lid.  So far I ran it for two outings that totalled about 8 hours (never lost power so don't know how much longer they would have lasted).  Since the screen size is small and grey scale, it doesn't suck a lot of juice like the color/gps units.  Hope that helps.

Steve 

Thats a lot of help I stopped at radio shack on the way home and they told me i would need a large battery about the size of a small car battery and it would only last me about 2 hours.  I was like you have got to be kidding me. 

another question I was told by a person at west Marine that you could send back the transducer that came with the unit and get one of the ones that fits into the scupper hole of ocean kayaks for a small fee.  Does any one know the details on this? 

I have the same FF unit. I bought a sealed lead acid battery at Fry's for 19.99. It
is the 12v 1.2ah very compact yet last me at least 3 fishing trips before charging.
About the transducer, I also sent mine back for an exchange to the scupper hole
type mounting. This will work great if you own an Ocean Kayak. Hope this helps.
I mounted the same FF unit on my Hobie Revo also but this time, I have the transducer inside the yak. The foam cutout where you put the water in then place the transducer inside.

Jedmo

Thanks Jedmo  Do you remember about how long it took for the exchange I am hoping to have it up and running before my next trip to the coast on the 9th of june.

The fastest way to do this is to call Hummingbird to send you the transducer. They will charge you for it and
you will get the reimbursement once they have received yours. It has been a while so perhaps they may even
exchange it now for free. A lot of folks here have done the same. Good luck...

Jedmo

I gave them a call and they said they were out of stock and it was on back order so I guess I am just SOL for getting it up and running by the 10th unless I can figure out a way to hook up the standard transducer that comes with the unit.  The one that came with the unit is one that mounts on the transom.  any thoughts

I gave them a call and they said they were out of stock and it was on back order so I guess I am just SOL for getting it up and running by the 10th unless I can figure out a way to hook up the standard transducer that comes with the unit.  The one that came with the unit is one that mounts on the transom.  any thoughts

You dont have to use the scupper transducer, you can still do a in-hull mount if you like.  Or do like I think Mickfish did, and use 1 gallon freezer bag with a puck and water to use as a temp solution for now.

I gave them a call and they said they were out of stock and it was on back order so I guess I am just SOL for getting it up and running by the 10th unless I can figure out a way to hook up the standard transducer that comes with the unit.  The one that came with the unit is one that mounts on the transom.  any thoughts

  Or do like I think Mickfish did, and use 1 gallon freezer bag with a puck and water to use as a temp solution for now.

this does work, when my FF died one day, i borrowed o2b's backup and we put the T/D in a ziplock with a hollowed out piece of pool noodle to keep it somewhat up right and filled it with water, but this was on lake mendo, dont know how well it would work in swell and or beach launch, cameron

 I have an older Piranha 1 and a 2. I use 8 of the cheaper AA's  and two changes of batteries gets me thru the summer. For some reason rechargeables don't work. Probably would need lesser Ma rechargeables or something.
 

I have an older Piranha 1 and a 2. I use 8 of the cheaper AA's  and two changes of batteries gets me thru the summer. For some reason rechargeables don't work. Probably would need lesser Ma rechargeables or something.

Its more likely the voltage than the amperage.  Alkaline batteries are 1.5v a piece, so 8 of them is 12V.  But rechargeables are only 1.2v, so 8 of them is only 9V.  Each DC powered device is usually a range of power, like 9V-18V, but if yours is 12V-18V, you wouldn't be able to power it with 8 rechargeables.